SPS 375.23
SPS 375.23 Other types of fire escape. Sliding or chute fire escapes may be used, upon the approval of the department, in place of “A" type or “B" type fire escapes. Every sliding fire escape shall be provided with a ladder constructed as in
s. SPS 375.21, extending from 5 feet above grade, to 4 feet above the roof coping.
SPS 375.23 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.24(1)
(1) Every door which serves as a required exit from a public passageway, stairway or building, or which forms a horizontal exit, shall be a standard exit door. See also
ss. SPS 376.06,
377.06,
378.04,
379.07.
SPS 375.24(2)
(2) Every standard exit door shall swing outward or toward the natural means of egress (except as below and as in
s. SPS 379.07). It shall be so hung that, when open, it will not block any part of the required width of any other doorway, passageway, stairway, or fire escape. No revolving door (unless collapsible) and no sliding door, (except where it opens onto a stairway enclosure, or serves as a horizontal exit) shall be considered as a standard exit door. Where revolving doors are used, they shall be of a type and make approved by the department.
SPS 375.24(3)
(3) A standard exit door shall have such fastenings or hardware that it can be opened from the inside without using a key, by pushing against a single bar or plate, or turning a single knob or handle; it shall not be locked, barred, or bolted at any time while the building is occupied.
SPS 375.24 Note
Note: For theaters, schools, large factories and hotels, etc., the “panic bolt" which operates by pressure against a bar or plate is recommended.
SPS 375.24(4)
(4) An approved type, illuminated, transparent exit sign shall be provided and operated over all exit doors in accordance with
ss. SPS 376.06,
377.14 and
379.08. Exit lights shall be installed as required by the Wisconsin state electrical code.
SPS 375.24 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (1), (2), (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.25
SPS 375.25
Location and maintenance of exits. Every required exit (including stairways, fire escapes, horizontal exits, and doors) shall lead to a street, alley or open court connected with a street. All such exits, and all passageways leading to and from the same, shall be kept in good repair and unobstructed at all times.
SPS 375.25 History
History: 1-2-56; renum.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.26(2)
(2) Standpipes shall be sufficient in number so that any part of every floor area can be reached within 20 feet by a nozzle attached to not more than 75 feet of hose connected to a standpipe.
SPS 375.26(3)
(3) No required standpipe shall be less than 2 inches in diameter, and not less than 2
1/
2 inches in diameter for buildings 5 stories or more in height. An approved 1
1/
2 inch hose valve shall be located in each story, not more than 5 feet above the floor level; valves of the gate type shall be equipped with a suitable open drip connection. An approved pressure-reducing device shall be installed at hose valves where pressure would otherwise be over 50 pounds.
SPS 375.26(4)
(4) Not more than 75 feet of hose shall be attached to each outlet. Hose shall be of unlined linen construction, 1
1/
2 inches in diameter, with a
1/
2 inch nozzle attached, and shall be located in approved cabinets or racks.
SPS 375.26(5)
(5) Water supply shall be automatic, and be designed for 70 gallons per minute for 30 minutes with 25 pounds flowing pressure at the top outlet. Such supply may be from city connection, gravity tank, pressure tank or pump.
SPS 375.26 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.27(1)
(1) Where fire extinguishers are required, they shall be of a type approved by the department. All fire extinguishers shall be charged in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
SPS 375.27(2)
(2) Extinguishers shall be conspicuously located where they will always be readily accessible and so distributed as to be immediately available in event of fire. They shall be hung on hangers or set on brackets or shelves so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet above the floor.
SPS 375.27 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.28(1)
(1) Required automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed and constructed in conformity with good established practice. Only materials and devices approved by the department may be used. Re-installation of used sprinkler heads is prohibited, and other second hand devices may be installed by special permission only.
SPS 375.28(2)
(2) Where an automatic sprinkler system is required throughout a building, supply shall be from a city water main, or from a gravity or pressure tank. If the city water supply is inadequate in either pressure or volume, a tank of not less than 5,000 gallons capacity shall be provided. The bottom of a gravity tank shall be not less than 35 feet above the under side of the roof.
SPS 375.28(3)
(3) Where automatic sprinklers are required in a basement only, the supply shall be from a city water main. Where there is no city water supply, such basement sprinklers need not be installed, but at such time as a city supply becomes available, such required basement sprinklers shall be installed.
SPS 375.28(4)
(4) Every basement sprinkler system shall also include sprinklers in all shafts (except elevator shafts) leading to the story above.
SPS 375.28(5)
(5) Every sprinkler system shall have a suitable audible alarm and an approved Siamese connection marked “To Automatic Sprinklers."
SPS 375.28 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.29(1)
(1) Interior fire alarm systems required under
ss. SPS 376.11,
378.08 and
379.18 shall be designed and constructed in conformity with the following requirements.
SPS 375.29(2)
(2) All such alarm systems shall consist of operating stations on each floor of the building, including the basement, with bells, horns, or other approved sounding devices which are effective throughout the building. The system shall be so arranged that the operation of any one station will actuate all alarm devices connected to the system except in the case of a presignal system. Fire alarms shall be readily distinguishable from any other signaling devices used in the building. A system designed for fire alarm and paging service may be used if the design is such that fire alarm signals will have precedence over all others.
SPS 375.29(3)
(3) Every fire alarm system shall be electrically operated except as stated in
s. SPS 378.08 and shall be operated on closed circuit current under constant electrical supervision, so arranged that upon a circuit opening and remaining open, or in case of a ground or short circuit in the ungrounded conductor, audible trouble signals will be given instantly.
SPS 375.29(4)
(4) In buildings more than 3 stories in height, coded fire alarm systems shall be provided, and the systems shall be so arranged that the code transmitted shall indicate the location and the story of the structure in which the signal originated.
SPS 375.29(4m)
(4m) In apartment buildings less than 6 stories in height and having less than 5,000 square feet area per floor, non-coded, electrically supervised, continuous ringing fire alarm systems will be accepted.
SPS 375.29(5)
(5) Operating stations shall be prominently located in an accessible position at all required exit doors and required exit stairways. Operating stations shall be of an approved type and shall be conspicuously identified. All such operating stations shall be of a type, which after being operated, will indicate that an alarm has been sent therefrom until reset by an authorized means. (Operating stations having a “Break Glass" panel will be acceptable. On coded systems having a device to permanently record the transmission of an alarm, “Open Door" type stations may be used.) The fire alarm operating stations shall be mounted approximately 5 feet above the finished floor as measured from the floor to the center of the box.
SPS 375.29(6)
(6) All such alarm systems shall be tested at least once a week and a record of such tests shall be kept.
SPS 375.29(7)
(7) Existing fire alarm systems that are effective in operation will be accepted if approved by the department.
SPS 375.29 Note
Note: The following sections are taken from the Wisconsin state electrical code.
SPS 375.29(9)
(9) The energy for operation of fire alarm systems shall be taken from sources suited to the design of the system. Primary batteries shall not be used.
SPS 375.29(10)
(10) A 3 wire 110-220 volt service will be accepted for supervised systems, providing the operating current is secured from one ungrounded conductor and the neutral or grounded conductor and the current for operation of trouble signal (or signals) is secured from the other ungrounded conductor and the neutral or grounded conductor.
SPS 375.29(11)
(11) Electrical wiring in connection with fire alarm systems shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, flexible metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing or surface metal raceway, armored cable (metal) may be used where it can be fished in hollow spaces of walls or partitions in apartments or rooming houses not over 3 stories in height. Where the wiring is subject to excessive moisture or severe mechanical injury, rigid metal conduit shall be used. The smallest size conductor to be used in any fire alarm system in a building over 3 stories in height shall be #14 AWG, or #16 AWG for buildings not over 3 stories in height. The wires shall be provided with insulation suitable for use on circuits not exceeding 600 volts. Fire alarm systems shall be connected to the line side of the service switch or to the emergency bus, where available, through an approved fire alarm cut-out or equivalent.
SPS 375.29 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (1), (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.30
SPS 375.30
Boilers, furnaces and stoves. SPS 375.30(1)
(1)
Protection of floor. Except as provided in
ss. SPS 376.13,
377.31,
378.09 and
379.20, every existing boiler, furnace or oven shall be placed on a fire-resistive floor projecting at least 2 feet on all sides. Such floor shall also be provided for every coal, wood, or oil stove or range which is more than 16 square feet in horizontal area or which has a flame at the bottom. If any such floor rests on or is in contact with any combustible material, then the fire-resistive floor layer shall be at least 3 inches thick and shall be hollow, with air spaces running horizontally through the same. The air spaces shall be open at both ends and shall be so placed that air can circulate through them; their horizontal area shall equal at least one-half the horizontal area of the fire-resistive slab.
SPS 375.30 Note
Note: The purpose of these air spaces is to permit air to circulate through the fire-resistive slab and keep down its temperature. When a range or a heater rests on a solid layer of brick or concrete, it has been found that after several months the heat strikes through to the wood below. Many fires have been caused in this way.
SPS 375.30(2)
(2) Air spaces. The air spaces may be secured by using hollow tile placed end to end; or by imbedding wrought or sheet iron pipes (say 3 inch diameter or larger) in a layer of concrete. The air spaces should run parallel to the short dimension of the slab.
SPS 375.30(3)
(3) Fire-resistive floor layer. If the stove, range, etc., is raised at least 6 inches above the floor and such air space is not enclosed, then the fire-resistive floor layer may be reduced to not less than 2 inch solid thickness, without air spaces, provided it is covered with sheet metal.
SPS 375.30(4)
(4) Coal, wood, oil stove. Every coal, wood or oil stove or range not more than 16 square feet in horizontal area and not having a flame at the bottom shall, if placed on a combustible floor, be raised at least 6 inches above the floor, and such air space shall not be enclosed. Such floor shall be protected with a stove board of sheet metal or asbestos, projecting at least one foot on all sides.
SPS 375.30(5)
(5) Gas stove. Gas stoves shall be protected as above specified, except that:
SPS 375.30(5)(a)
(a) A 3 inch solid fire-resistive floor layer, projecting at least 6 inches on all sides shall be sufficient protection if the stove has a false bottom at least 3 inches above such fire-resistive floor; and
SPS 375.30(5)(b)
(b) If the stove is less than 16 square feet in horizontal area and has a false bottom at least 5 inches above the floor, no fire-resistive floor shall be required.
SPS 375.30 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.31
SPS 375.31
Protection of walls and ceiling; repair; fireplaces. SPS 375.31(1)(1) Except as otherwise provided in
s. SPS 375.30, every combustible wall, partition or ceiling which is less than 24 inches distant from a boiler, furnace, oven, stove, or range, shall be protected with at least
1/
4 inch asbestos board covered with galvanized sheet metal, or with equivalent protection as specified in
s. SPS 375.11, or shall be protected with a metal shield with at least 4 inches air space behind the same, except as provided below. If the wall, partition, or ceiling is less than 12 inches distant from the boiler, furnace, oven, stove or range, then the woodwork and studs shall be cut away and replaced with incombustible material; or shall be otherwise protected as required by the department or the fire department.
SPS 375.31(2)
(2) The above distances may be reduced one-half in the case of stoves and ranges less than 16 square feet in area, and also in the case of gas ranges of greater area if proper insulation is incorporated in the back of the range.
SPS 375.31(3)
(3) The top of every boiler, furnace or oven, shall be covered with asbestos, sand, or other heat resisting material, or the required distance above same shall be increased 100%.
SPS 375.31(4)
(4) All cracked, broken or otherwise defective stoves, furnaces and boilers, shall be repaired forthwith, and made safe, or shall be replaced with new ones.
SPS 375.31(5)
(5) All open fireplaces shall be protected by substantial wire screens.
SPS 375.31 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.32(1)(1) No smoke pipe shall pass through any floor, outside window or door, nor through any combustible roof or combustible outside wall, nor through any closet, attic or similarly concealed space.
SPS 375.32(2)
(2) Every smoke pipe passing through a non-fire-resistive partition shall be encased with incombustible material at least 4 inches thick or with a double safety thimble made of 2 concentric rings of sheet metal with at least one inch open air space between and with outer ring covered with at least
1/
4 inch asbestos.
SPS 375.32 Note
Note: The double thimble is of no value unless it is kept free from dirt. The best protection is a casing of solid masonry, with 1/4 space between the masonry and the pipe.
SPS 375.32(3)
(3) No part of any smoke pipe shall be placed nearer to any combustible partition or wall than the diameter of the pipe, nor nearer to any combustible ceiling than one and one-half times the diameter; but the above distances may be reduced by one-half, if the wall or ceiling is covered with not less than
1/
4 inch asbestos board covered with galvanized sheet metal, or with equivalent protection as specified in
s. SPS 375.11
SPS 375.32 History
History: 1-2-56; renum. and am.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register, June, 1995, No. 474;
correction in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.33
SPS 375.33
Hot air pipes. Every hot air pipe contained in or passing through a combustible partition or floor, shall be covered with asbestos, or all wood within 2 inches of such pipe shall be protected with asbestos covered with sheet metal, unless such hot air pipe is double.
SPS 375.33 History
History: 1-2-56; renum.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.34(1)(1) No chimney shall rest upon a flooring of wood, nor shall any wood or other combustible material be built into or left in contact with any chimney.
SPS 375.34(2)
(2) All chimneys which are defective by reason of settling, cracking, disintegrating of mortar, or from any other cause, shall be repaired or rebuilt forthwith and made safe.
SPS 375.34(3)
(3) All chimneys constructed of tile, terra cotta, or brick on edge, shall be replaced by a substantial brick chimney.
SPS 375.34(4)
(4) All chimneys shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once each year.
SPS 375.34 Note
Note: For requirements applying to the construction, remodeling and repair of chimneys, see the state building code issued by the department.
SPS 375.34 History
History: 1-2-56; renum.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.35
SPS 375.35
Gas and oil lamps; gas service. SPS 375.35(1)
(1) Gas and oil lamps shall not be used where electricity is available.
SPS 375.35(2)
(2) Gas and oil lamps shall be placed at least 6 feet above the floor level, at least 6 inches from any combustible partition or wall, and at least 2 feet (measured from top of flame) below any combustible ceiling unless properly protected by a metal shield with at least 2 inches of air space above. Swinging brackets shall be provided with a guard or stop so that the light cannot come nearer to the partition or wall than one foot. In aisles and public passageways, every such light shall be protected by an incombustible guard unless the light is at least 7 feet above the floor. Gas and oil lights shall be kept at least 2 feet from any drape or window curtain.
SPS 375.35(3)
(3) Every gas supply main shall have a service cock outside of the building, so placed and maintained that it can be shut off at any time without entering the building.
SPS 375.35 History
History: 1-2-56; renum.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.36(1)(1) All new electrical work shall conform to the Wisconsin state electrical code of the department.
SPS 375.36(2)
(2) All electrical wiring and installation which by reason of insufficient supports, defective insulation, contact with combustible materials, or with conductors of electricity, deterioration, faulty materials or from any other cause, is liable to cause fire, shall forthwith be overhauled, repaired or replaced, and made safe, and all such repair work shall be done as required by said Wisconsin state electrical code.
SPS 375.36(3)
(3) Electric cords shall not be hung on or be fastened with or come in contact with nails, staples, hooks, gas or water pipes, machinery or other metal supports.
SPS 375.36(4)
(4) Pendant lamps must be free from contact with furniture, machinery, posts or other fixtures.
SPS 375.36(5)
(5) Where portable electric lights must be used, the same shall be equipped with socket of non-combustible, non-absorbent insulating material, large handle of non-absorbent insulating material, basket guard, proper reflector and special heavy duty cord of the reinforced or similar type.
SPS 375.36 Note
Note: For fire prevention requirements, see ch.
SPS 314.
SPS 375.36 History
History: 1-2-56; renum.,
Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.
SPS 375.37
SPS 375.37
Combustible drapes, decorations.
