SEC. 91.8603. FIRE PROTECTION – WARNING SYSTEM.

(Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)

91.8603.1. Group R, Division 1 and Division 2 Occupancies.

91.8603.1.1. Existing Residential Building. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Except as otherwise provided in LAMC Subsection 91.8603.1.2, the provisions of CBC Section 907.2.10 shall apply to every dwelling unit, efficiency dwelling unit, guest room and suite in any building where the original building permit was issued prior to May 18, 1980. The smoke detectors may be battery operated until August 1, 1983, at which time the smoke detectors shall be located and permanently wired as required in CBC Section 907.2.10.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to waive the requirement for permanently wired smoke detectors, which was in effect at the time the original building permit for the building was issued.

Every permanently wired smoke detector installed in a corridor or area giving access to the sleeping rooms shall be located within 12 feet six inches of the sleeping room. Where the location of the detector is less than 12 feet six inches of an appliance, which produces products of combustion other than a forced-air heating unit, a photoelectric type detector shall be required. There shall be no more than one door separating that type of detector from any room used for sleeping purposes. A permanently wired smoke detector installed pursuant to a permit issued prior to July 31, 1981, need not comply with this paragraph until replaced.

91.8603.1.2. Existing Apartment Hotels and Hotels Over 75 Feet in Height. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Every existing apartment hotel more than 75 feet in height and containing no more than nine dwelling units and every existing hotel more than 75 feet in height, where the original building permit for the building was issued prior to May 18, 1980, shall comply with the provisions of CBC Section 907.2.10 not later than August 1, 1981.

EXCEPTION: The operative date for compliance may be delayed until August 1, 1982 if the Department determines that the building complies with either the provisions of CBC Sections 420 and 602.2 or California Existing Building Code Section 601.1.1.

Notwithstanding any other provision here to the contrary, every guest room in any apartment hotel or hotel described in this section when used as a light- housekeeping room, as that term is described in LAMC Subsection 91.8116.1, shall be provided with smoke detectors in compliance with the provisions of CBC Section 907.2.10 and the provisions of LAMC Subsection 91.8603.2 pertaining to photoelectric type smoke detectors located in corridors or areas giving access to sleeping rooms. Smoke detectors may be battery operated until August 1, 1982, at which time the smoke detectors shall be located and permanently wired as required by CBC Section 907.2.10.

91.8603.2. Group R, Division 3 Occupancies.

91.8603.2.1. Existing One-Family Dwellings. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) After July 31, 1980, existing one-family dwellings shall be provided with smoke detectors, which may be battery operated, located as specified in CBC Section 907.2.10 for Group R, Division 3 Occupancies, if:

1. The dwelling is sold or exchanged and the original building permit was issued prior to May 19, 1980; or

2. Alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit are made, or reroofing or shower pan replacement is performed by a Certified Licensed Contractor pursuant to LAMC Subsection 91.108.12 with a valuation in excess of $1,000.00; or (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.)

3. One or more sleeping rooms are added or created; or

4. Bars, grilles, grates, roll-down security shutters, or similar devices are installed on all emergency escape windows and exterior doors of any sleeping rooms.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to waive the requirement to permanently install wired smoke detectors, which were required at the time the original building permit for the building was issued.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term “permit” shall not include permits required for the repair or replacement of electrical, plumbing or mechanical equipment.

91.8603.2.2. Existing Two-Family Dwellings. (Amended by Ord. No. 186,488, Eff. 12/27/19.) Every building containing two dwelling units and not more than five guest rooms, where the original building permit was issued prior to May 18, 1980, shall comply with the provisions of CBC Section 907.2.10 and the provisions of LAMC Subsection 91.8603.2.1 pertaining to photoelectric-type smoke detectors located in corridors or areas giving access to sleeping rooms. Smoke detectors may be battery operated until August 1, 1983, at which time the smoke detectors shall be located and permanently wired as required by CBC Section 907.2.10.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to waive a requirement to install permanently wired smoke detectors, which were required at the time the original building permit for the building was issued.