SPS 375.001SPS 375.001 Buildings affected by these orders. SPS 375.001(1)(1) These orders shall apply to all buildings and structures erected prior to the effective date of the first building code (October 9, 1914) except: SPS 375.001(1)(a)(a) Private residences, and outbuildings in connection therewith such as barns, garages, etc. SPS 375.001(1)(b)(b) Flat buildings used as the residence of 2 families only, provided not more than 2 persons are accommodated who are not members of the family. SPS 375.001(2)(2) Provided, however, that if any building or structure serving as a public building or place of employment, whether above exempted or not, is especially liable to fire, and is so situated as to endanger other buildings or property; or contains any combustible or explosive material dangerous to the safety of any building or premises or the occupants thereof, or endangering or hindering firefighters in case of fire; then such building or structure shall be subject to these orders so far as may be necessary to protect adjoining or other buildings and their occupants, and firefighters. SPS 375.001(3)(3) Provided further, that in the case of buildings which are subject to the requirements of the state building code, the requirements of the building code shall govern. SPS 375.001 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections in (2) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 5., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; cr. (1) (e), Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 10-1-00; CR 06-120: r. (1) (c) to (e), am. (2) Register February 2008 No. 626, eff. 3-1-08. SPS 375.01SPS 375.01 Local regulations. These orders shall not be understood to limit the power of cities, villages and towns to make or enforce additional or more stringent regulations, provided the same do not conflict with these orders, or with any other order of the department. SPS 375.01 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.02SPS 375.02 Fire-resistive construction. A building is of fire-resistive construction if all the walls, partitions, piers, columns, floors, ceilings, roof and stairs are built of incombustible material, except as hereinafter provided, and if all metallic structural members are protected by an incombustible fire-resistive covering. SPS 375.02 NoteNote: See s. Ind 51.001, 1956 for detailed requirements for fire-resistive construction.
SPS 375.02 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.03SPS 375.03 Mill construction. A building is of mill construction if all walls are of 4-hour fire-resistive construction as specified in s. Ind 51.01, 1956; all wood girders and joists are at least 51/2 inches thick; wood columns and posts are at least 71/2 x 71/2 inches; floors are at least 3 inches thick; the roof has an incombustible roof covering, and there are no concealed air spaces except such as are enclosed by incombustible material. SPS 375.03 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 4. and 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474. SPS 375.04SPS 375.04 Ordinary construction. A building is of ordinary construction if all walls consist of incombustible material, the roof has a fire-retardant covering, but other requirements for fire-resistive or mill construction are not complied with. SPS 375.04 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.05SPS 375.05 Frame construction. A building is of frame construction if the structural parts and enclosing walls consist of wood. If such enclosing walls are veneered, encased or faced with stone, brick, tile, concrete, plaster, or metal, whose stability or rigidity depends upon the frame wall, the building is also termed a frame building. SPS 375.05 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.06SPS 375.06 Basement; first floor; number of stories. A basement is a story whose floor line is below the grade at any entrance or exit and whose ceiling is not more than 5 feet above such grade. The first floor is the floor next above the basement, or the lowest floor if there is no basement. The number of stories of a building includes all stories except the basement. SPS 375.06 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.07SPS 375.07 Fire retardant roof covering. A roof covering is considered fire retardant if made of 3 thicknesses of roofing felt with tar and gravel or asphalt or if made of tin, corrugated iron, galvanized iron, or other approved fire-resistive material. SPS 375.07 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.08SPS 375.08 Fire-resistive enclosure or partition. A fire-resistive enclosure or partition shall be of 4-hour, 3-hour, 2-hour, or one-hour construction as may be required by this code under occupancy requirements and as described in s. Ind 51.05, 1956. SPS 375.08 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 4. and 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474. SPS 375.09SPS 375.09 Fire-resistive door. A fire-resistive door shall consist of a wooden core not less than 11/2 inches thick encased with metal using locked seam joints, or shall be entirely of metal and of a design approved by the department. The door frame shall be of metal or shall be metal covered. The door shall close automatically in case of fire. SPS 375.09 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.10SPS 375.10 Fire-resistive window. A fire-resistive window shall have a metal frame, metal sash and wired glass, of a design approved by the department. No pane shall be less than 1/4 inch thick nor of greater area than 720 square inches. The window shall be fixed or shall close automatically in case of fire. SPS 375.10 NoteNote: It will be the policy of the department to approve, subject to the provisions of this order, any window bearing the inspection manifest of the Underwriters’ Laboratories for the situation of the installation.
SPS 375.10 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.11SPS 375.11 One-hour fire-resistive ceiling. A one-hour fire-resistive ceiling shall be constructed of not less than 15/8 inch joists, spaced not more than 16 inches center to center, protected on the under side by metal or wire lath and 3/4 inch of gypsum or Portland cement plaster or by 3/8 inch perforated gypsum lath and 1/2 inch of gypsum plaster, the joints of the lath to be reinforced with 3 inch wide strips of metal lath. Other materials and methods of construction having an equivalent fire-resistive rating may be used if approved by the department, as specified under s. Ind 50.12, 1956. SPS 375.11 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 4. and 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474. SPS 375.12(1)(a)(a) An opening through a fire-resistive wall or partition, (s. SPS 375.08) which separates 2 buildings or 2 divisions of a building; every such opening shall be protected by a fire-resistive door on each side of the wall; or, SPS 375.12(1)(b)(b) An exterior balcony or bridge which connects 2 buildings or 2 divisions of a building. Every such balcony or bridge, including its railings, its supporting brackets or beams, and the exits thereto, shall be constructed the same as specified for fire escapes, (ss. SPS 375.14 to 375.22); but a bridge may be built of wood if it is enclosed by walls and a roof and if it is separated from each building by a fire-resistive door. The floor shall not have a slope of more than one foot in 5. SPS 375.12(2)(2) If a horizontal exit takes the place of an “A” type standard fire escape, it shall be at least 2 feet 4 inches wide; if it takes the place of a “B” type standard fire escape, it shall be at least 3 feet 4 inches wide. SPS 375.12(3)(3) The floor on each side of a horizontal exit shall contain at least one stairway and all passageways leading thereto shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times. SPS 375.12 HistoryHistory: 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) (a), (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.13SPS 375.13 Fire escapes; location. Every fire escape shall be so located as to lead directly to a street, alley, or open court connected with the street. Every fire escape shall be placed against a blank wall if possible. SPS 375.13 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.14SPS 375.14 Exits to fire escapes. Every fire escape shall be accessible from a public passageway or shall be directly accessible from each occupied room. Each exit to a “B” type fire escape shall be a standard exit door (s. SPS 375.24) at least 3 feet 4 inches in width, and the door sill shall be flush with the floor inside. Each exit to an “A” type fire escape shall be a standard exit door at least 2 feet 6 inches in width and the door sill shall be not more than 8 inches above the inside floor level, unless a stair leads from the floor to the sill, or windows may be used in place of such door if approved by the department. SPS 375.14 HistoryHistory: 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 375.15(1)(1) No other material than wrought iron or soft or medium steel shall be used for any part of a fire escape except for weights, separators, and ornaments. SPS 375.15(2)(2) No bar material less than 1/4 inch thick shall be used in the construction of any fire escape, except for separators, ornaments, structural shapes over 3 inches and rigidly built up treads and platforms of approved design. All bolts and rivets, except for ornamental work, shall be not less than 3⁄8 inch in diameter. SPS 375.15(3)(3) Each part of every fire escape (except counterweights for balanced stairways) shall be designed and constructed to carry a live load of 100 pounds per square foot of horizontal area over the entire fire escape. The minimum sections and sizes specified below shall be increased whenever necessary so that under full load the unit stresses will not exceed 3⁄4 of the allowable unit stresses specified in s. Ind 53.24, 1956. SPS 375.15 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74; correction made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474. SPS 375.16(1)(1) Each platform of an “A” type fire escape shall be at least 28 inches wide; each platform of a “B” type fire escape shall be at least 3 feet 4 inches wide. Such widths shall be the clear distance between stringers, measuring at the narrowest point. Each platform shall extend at least 4 inches beyond the jambs of exit openings. The above minimum widths and lengths shall be increased wherever necessary, so that no exit door or window will, when open, block any part of the required width of the fire escape. SPS 375.16(2)(a)(a) Flat bars on edge, not less than 1 × 1/4 inch; but not less than 1 1/4 × 1/4 inch where bolts and separators are used; bars shall be not more than 1 1/4 inches center to center. SPS 375.16(2)(b)(b) 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch square bars with sharp edge up, more than 1 1/2 inches center to center. SPS 375.16(2)(c)(c) 5/8 inch round bars, not more than 1 1/2 inches center to center. SPS 375.16(3)(3) Platform and treads may be solid if covered by a roof. SPS 375.16(4)(4) The platform frame shall consist of not less than 2 × 3⁄8 inch flat bars on edge or equivalent, provided the brackets are not more than 4 feet apart. If brackets are more than 4 feet apart, the frame shall be correspondingly stronger and stiffer. Every platform wider than 30 inches, if made of square or round bars, shall have a third frame bar through the center; if made of flat bars, the platform shall have separators and bolts through the center. Frame bars shall not project more than 1⁄4 inch above platform bars, except around the outside of platform. SPS 375.16(5)(5) There shall be a platform at each story above the first and intermediate platforms if floors are more than 18 feet apart vertically. SPS 375.16(6)(6) Platforms shall not be more than 8 inches below the door sill, or not more than 18 inches below the sill of exit windows; see s. SPS 375.14. SPS 375.16 HistoryHistory: 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 (6) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672. SPS 375.17(1)(1) Brackets for a 28 inch or 30 inch platform, when spaced not more than 4 feet apart, shall be made of not less than 7/8 inch square bars or 11/2 × 11/2 × 1/4 inch angles; such bars or angles shall be larger if the platform is wider or if the brackets are farther apart. Each bracket shall be fastened at the top, to the wall, by a through bolt (at least 7/8 inch diameter), nut, and washer (at least 4 inch diameter). The slope of the lower bracket bar shall be not less then 30º with the horizontal. The lower bar shall have a washer or shoulder to give sufficient bearing against the wall. SPS 375.17 NoteNote: In applying the requirements of the building code to the design of a bracket, the lower bracket bar must be designed according to the column formula. According to this formula (for example), brackets made of 1 inch square wrought iron, 4 feet apart, carrying a 3 feet 4 inches platform, are just within the limit of stiffness. If the brackets were over 4 feet apart, a heavier bar or an angle would have to be used.
SPS 375.17(2)(2) The strength of the wall to which brackets are to be attached shall be carefully considered in determining the spacing, shape, and inside connection of brackets, so that under full load the wall will not be unduly strained. SPS 375.17 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.18(1)(1) Each stairway of an “A” type fire escape shall be at least 24 inches wide between stringers; such stairway shall have a uniform rise of not more than 8 inches, and a uniform run of not less than 8 inches. SPS 375.18(2)(2) Each stairway of a “B” type fire escape shall be at least 3 feet 4 inches wide between stringers; such stairway shall have a uniform rise of not more than 8 inches, and a uniform run of not less than 9 inches. SPS 375.18 NoteNote: The rise is the vertical distance from the extreme edge of any step to the corresponding extreme edge of the next step. The run is the horizontal distance between the same points.
SPS 375.18(4)(4) If 2 angles or 2 flat bars are used, they shall be properly tied together by lattice bars, vertical as well as horizontal. If flat bars are used, every stairway of more than 10 risers shall have lateral bracing. The connection of stringers to platform, at top and bottom, shall be at least equal in strength to the stringers and shall safely carry the full live and dead loads. If stringers are carried by intermediate brackets, the stringers shall have a horizontal bearing on the brackets and shall be properly and securely connected thereto. SPS 375.18(5)(5) Treads shall consist of either flat or square bars, (not round), of the size and spacing specified for platforms. An “A” tread shall consist of at least 6 square bars or 7 flat bars. A “B” tread shall consist of at least 7 square bars or 8 flat bars. A “B” tread made of flat bars shall have separators and bolt through the center. A “B” tread made of square bars shall be trussed. Treads and platforms may be solid if covered by a roof. SPS 375.18 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.19(1)(1) All “B” type fire escapes, and all fire escapes on schools, theaters, and assembly halls, either shall reach to the ground or shall have a balanced stairway reaching to the ground. “A” type fire escapes which are not on schools, theaters, or assembly halls, may terminate on a platform at least 3 feet long, located not more than 10 feet above the ground. SPS 375.19(2)(2) Every balanced stairway shall conform to the requirements for other stairways except that the stringers and the top rail may be lighter if they are properly trussed. The counterbalancing device shall be attached to both sides of the stairway equally, or a special attachment shall be used to prevent warping or twisting. The counterbalancing device shall operate gradually and easily as the live load is applied. SPS 375.19 NoteNote: The use of cables and sheaves will be permitted only under exceptional conditions, as rust is almost sure to interfere with their proper operation. In such cases the sheaves shall turn on a brass pin or in brass bearings and shall be protected from the weather at the top and on all sides.
SPS 375.19(3)(3) Treads for “A” type balanced stairways may be made as follows: two 11/4× 11/4 × 1/4 inch angles at front and back; two 1 1/4× 1/4 inch bars between, lying flatwise; one inch space between bars. Treads for“B” type balanced stairways may be made as follows: two 11/2 × 1 1/2 × 1/4 inch angles at front and back; two 11/2 ×1/4 inch bars between, lying flatwise; one inch space between bars. All such treads shall be strongly fastened together with cross bars not more than 14 inches apart. SPS 375.19 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.20(1)(1) Railings shall be provided on all open sides of platforms and stairways, and on both sides of balanced stairways. Either a railing or a handrail fastened to wall shall be provided on each side of all “B” type fire escape stairways. Railings shall be at least 3 feet high, measuring vertically from floor of platform or from nose of step. SPS 375.20(2)(2) Every railing shall have posts, not more than 5 feet apart, made of not less than 11/2 × 11/2 × 1/4 inch angles or tees, or 11/4 inch pipe; top rail not less than 11/4 × 11/4 × 1/4 inch angle or equivalent; center rail not less than 11/4 × 5/16 flat bar or equivalent. All connections shall be such as to make the railing stiff; 2 bolts (3/8 inch or larger) shall be used at the foot of each post wherever possible, or at least 1/2 inch bolt shall be used. Railings shall be continuous. No projections on the inside of the railing shall be permitted. Where a railing returns to the wall, it shall be fastened thereto with a through bolt (at least 5/8 inch diameter), nut, and washer; or (in reinforced concrete) with an approved insert; or the railing shall be made equally secure with a diagonal brace extending at least 3 feet horizontally and 3 feet vertically. SPS 375.20(3)(3) All outside railings which are more than 60 feet above grade shall be at least 6 feet high, measuring vertically from floor or platform or from nose of step. Such railings shall be of special design approved by the department, having not less than 4 longitudinal rails, and vertical lattice bars not more than 8 inches apart, and proper stiffening braces or brackets. SPS 375.20 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74. SPS 375.21(1)(1) Every fire escape which extends higher than the second floor shall be provided with a ladder leading from the upper platform to the roof, unless the fire escape stairway leads to the roof. The ladder shall have stringers of not less than 11/4 inch pipe, or not less than 2 × 3/8 inch flat bars, at least 17 inches apart in the clear. The rungs shall be not less than 1/2 inch square or 5/8 inch round bars, 14 inches center to center. The stringers shall be securely tied together at intervals no greater than every fifth rung. SPS 375.21(2)(2) The stringers of each ladder shall extend not less than 4 feet above the roof coping and return to within 2 feet of the roof with the top rung of the ladder level with the top of the parapet wall.
