Int. No. 810

By Council Members Dilan, Comrie, Dickens, Fidler, Gentile, Stewart, White, Jr. and Weprin

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation exit path markings in high-rise buildings.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1.  Section BC 403.16 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as added by local law number 33 for the year 2007, is amended to read as follows:

 403.16 Exit path markings.  All high-rise buildings shall be provided with photoluminescent exit path markings conforming to Section 1026. This provision shall be retroactive and shall apply to all high-rise buildings in existence on the effective date of this section which shall have one year from the effective date of this section to be in compliance.

[Exception: Exit paths serving Group R-2.]

§2. Section 27-383 of the administrative code of the city of New York, as amended by local law number 26 for the year 2004, is amended to read as follows:

§  27-383 Requirements. (a) Exit signs. Except in occupancy groups J-2 and J-3, the location of every exit on every floor and every opening from a room classified in occupancy group J-1 and containing cubicles shall be clearly indicated by exit signs. Such signs shall be placed at an angle with the exit opening if such placement is required for the signs to serve their purpose. In long corridors, in open floor areas,

  and in all other situations where the location of the exit may not be readily visible or understood, directional signs shall be provided to serve as guides from all portions of the corridor or floor.

    (b) Exit path markings in high rise [office buildings and in occupancy group E high rise] buildings. On and after July 1, 2006 all  high  rise office  buildings  and  all  high rise buildings classified in occupancy group E shall have exit path markings conforming  to  this subdivision. On and after July 1, 2009, all high rise buildings not classified as high rise office buildings or high rise buildings in occupancy group E shall have exit path markings conforming to this subdivision. This provision shall be retroactive and shall apply to (i) all high rise office buildings and high rise buildings classified in occupancy group E constructed on and after July 1, 2006,[such date] and to such buildings in existence on such date; and (ii) all high rise buildings not classified as high rise office buildings or high rise buildings in occupancy group E constructed on and after July 1, 2009 and to such buildings in existence on such date. All exit path markings required herein shall be of an approved photoluminescent material.  The markings shall be washable, non-toxic, non radioactive, and if subjected to fire must be self extinguishing when the flame is removed.

    (1)  All doors opening to corridors, to an exit, or to an exit passageway, shall be marked with the word "exit".

    (2)  Within  exit  stairs,  horizontal  extensions  in  exit   stairs, horizontal  exits,  supplemental  vertical  exits  and exit passageways, except within street level lobbies, there shall be directional markings.

    (3) Required markings for exit paths shall comply with the technical standards for installation and placement to be set forth in a reference standard. Such reference standard shall be designated RS 6-1 and shall be adopted on or before January 1, 2006.

§3. This local law shall take immediately.

LS # 3896

RCC

6/20/08