2504.03 - Emergency Preparedness requirements
2504.03.1 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.2 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.3 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.4 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.5 Group E occupancies. A fire safety and evacuation plan in accordance with Article 4, OAC 1301:7-7-04 shall be prepared and maintained for Group E occupancies and for buildings containing both a Group E occupancy and an atrium. Group E occupancies shall comply with Sections 2504.03.2.1 through 2504.03.2.4 of this code.
2504.03.5.1 First emergency evacuation drill. The first emergency evacuation drill of each school year shall be conducted within 10 days of the beginning of classes.
2504.03.5.2 Time of day. Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted at different hours of the day or evening, during the changing of classes, when school is at assembly, during the recess or gymnastic periods, or during other times to avoid distinction between drills and actual fires.
2504.03.5.3 Assembly points. Outdoor assembly areas shall be designated and shall be located a safe distance from the building being evacuated so as to avoid interference with fire department operations. The assembly areas shall be arranged to keep each class separate to provide accountability of all individuals.
2504.03.5.4 Assembly points and fire operations. Assembly points shall not be in areas likely to be used for fire service operations.
2504.03.5 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.6 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.7 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.8 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.9 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.10 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.11 Special use buildings
2504.03.11.1 Reserved (Reserved for future additions)
2504.03.11.2 Fire safety plan and evacuation procedure in high-rise buildings. The owner or other responsible person having charge of a high-rise building shall prepare and submit for the review and approval of the fire code official a fire safety plan and evacuation procedure.
2504.03.11.2.2 Emergency Action Plan. The fire safety plan and evacuation procedure, prepared in accordance with the requirements of the fire chief, shall be submitted to the fire chief and a copy shall be kept on file in the high-rise building. Applicable parts of the fire safety plan and evacuation procedure shall be distributed to the tenants or other occupants and to building service employees. Tenants or other occupants shall distribute to their employees applicable parts of the fire safety plan and evacuation procedure which concern their actions in the event of a fire or emergency.
2504.03.11.2.3 Updates. It shall be the responsibility of the building owner or other responsible person to promptly update as necessary the fire safety plan and evacuation procedure upon any change in occupancy, occupancy use, physical arrangement or change to the building. All such updated portions shall be submitted to the fire chief within thirty (30) days of such change.
2504.03.11.2.4 Fire safety, director certification in high-rise buildings. The owner or other responsible person having charge of a high-rise building shall designate a fire safety director and deputy fire safety director(s) for the building and submit their names to the fire chief.
2504.03.11.2.5 Fire safety director. Each high-rise building identified in Section 2504.04 of this code shall have one person designated as the fire safety director and one or more persons as deputy fire safety director(s). Each such director shall be certified in accordance with the requirements of the fire chief qualifying the director to (1) organize, train and supervise safety control teams; (2) conduct fire drills; (3) establish evacuation procedures; and (4) conduct such other related activities as are required by the fire chief. In the absence of the fire safety director, a designated deputy fire safety director shall fill that position.
2504.03.11.2.6 Evacuation Supervisor. There shall be at least one responsible person on duty appointed and trained by the Fire Safety Director to act as Evacuation Supervisor. The primary duties of the Evacuation Supervisor will be to initiate and coordinate the evacuation procedures and to carry out any other duties as provided in the fire safety plan.
Exception: Group R-2 occupancies not owned or operated by a college or university.
2504.03.12 Special requirements for public safety. Special requirements for public safety shall be in accordance with 2504.03.12.1 through 2504.03.12.1.1 of this code.
2504.03.12.1 Temporary Standby Personnel. Where, in the opinion of the Division of Fire, it is essential for public safety in a place of assembly, occupied building, tent or membrane structure used as a place of assembly or any other place where people congregate indoors or outside, because of the number of persons, impairment of life safety systems, or the nature of the performance, exhibition, display, contest or activity, the owner, agent or lessee shall provide one or more standby personnel, as required and approved. The Fire Code Official may:
1. Approve a licensed, bonded security company or other standby personnel to provide such service as approved.
2. Order off duty Fire Division personnel back to duty to provide standby personnel
3. The Fire Division reserves the authority to designate fire service personnel and/or equipment exclusively to act as standby personnel when the fire code official:
a) determines that a system impairment, nature of event or event location presents an increased risk to the public or occupants within a large public venue or event space; or
b) has just cause to believe non-Fire Division standby personnel have not or cannot conduct the fire watch protocols or duties properly
4. The Fire Division reserves the right to determine the duties and protocols for the fire watch which will include at a minimum the duties described in section 403.12.1.2 of the OFC.
2504.03.12.1.1 Cost. The responsible party shall be responsible for paying all costs incurred by the Division of Fire in providing the temporary standby personnel.
2504.03.12.2 Public safety plan for gatherings. Where the fire code official determines that an indoor or outdoor gathering of persons has an adverse impact on public safety through diminished access to buildings, structures, fire hydrants and fire apparatus access roads or where such gatherings adversely affect public safety services of any kind, the fire code official shall have the authority to order the development of or prescribe a public safety plan that provides an approved level of public safety and addresses the following items:
(i) Emergency vehicle ingress and egress.
(ii) Fire protection.
(iii) Emergency egress or escape routes.
(iv) Emergency medical services.
(v) Public assembly areas.
(vi) The directing of both attendees and vehicles including the parking of vehicles.
(vii) Vendor and food concession distribution.
(viii) The need for the presence of law enforcement.
(ix) The need for fire and emergency medical services personnel.
2504.03.12.3 Crowd managers for gatherings exceeding 1,000 people. Where facilities or events involve a gathering of more than 1,000 people, crowd managers shall be provided in accordance with paragraphs 2504.03.12.3.1 to 2504.03.12.3.3 of this code.
2504.03.12.3.1 Number of crowd managers. The minimum number of crowd managers shall be established at a ratio of one crowd manager for every 250 persons.
Exception: Where approved by the fire code official, the number of crowd managers shall be permitted to be reduced where the facility is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system or based upon the nature of the event.
2504.03.12.3.2 Training. Training for crowd managers shall be approved by the fire code official.
2504.03.12.3.3 Duties. The duties of crowd managers shall include, not be limited to:
(a) Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility and identify and address any egress barriers.
(b) Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility to identify and mitigate any fire hazards.
(c) Verify compliance with all permit conditions, including those governing pyrotechnics and other special effects.
(d) Direct and assist the event attendees in evacuation during an emergency.
(e) Assist emergency response personnel where requested.
(f) Other duties required by the fire code official.
(g) Other duties as specified in the fire safety plan.
(Ord. No. 1652-2022, § 1, 10-17-2022)
