Wisconsin Legislature: Chapter SPS 376

Chapter SPS 376

FACTORIES, OFFICE AND MERCANTILE BUILDINGS

SPS 376.001 Scope.

SPS 376.01 Exits.

SPS 376.02 Fire escapes.

SPS 376.03 Stairways.

SPS 376.04 Total width of stairways.

SPS 376.05 Capacity of buildings.

SPS 376.06 Exit doors.

SPS 376.07 Passageways.

SPS 376.08 Lighting.

SPS 376.09 Standpipes and extinguishers.

SPS 376.10 Automatic sprinklers.

SPS 376.11 Fire alarm.

SPS 376.12 Floor loads.

SPS 376.13 Heating plants.

Ch. SPS 376 NoteNote: Chapter Ind 161 was renumbered chapter ILHR 76 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No. 474; chapter ILHR 76 was renumbered chapter Comm 76 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, May, 1998, No. 509. Chapter Comm 76 was renumbered chapter SPS 376 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.001SPS 376.001 Scope. Under this classification are included all factories and workshops (including all places where manual labor is employed), office buildings, telegraph and telephone offices, mercantile establishments where commodities are bought or sold, taverns, warehouses, railroad stations, exhibition buildings, and places where not more than 100 persons assemble for recreation, entertainment, worship or dining purposes.

SPS 376.001 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 376.01SPS 376.01 Exits.

SPS 376.01(1)(1) Minimum number. Every building and every story thereof in this classification shall have at least 2 exits. In large buildings, or where a large number of persons are employed, or where there is an especially hazardous condition, additional exits shall be provided as directed, so as to afford safe egress for all the occupants.

SPS 376.01(2)(2) Type. The exits herein required shall be either stairways or fire escapes or horizontal exits (see s. SPS 375.12). But in every non-fire-resistive building more than 2 stories in height, at least one exit shall be a fire escape or a horizontal exit, unless the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, or unless there are at least 2 stairways enclosed with not less than one-hour-fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors. (ss. SPS 375.08, 375.09)

SPS 376.01 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 (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.02SPS 376.02 Fire escapes. Fire escapes shall be stairway fire escapes as described in ss. SPS 375.13 to 375.23. On buildings which accommodate more than 50 persons above the second story, such fire escape shall be a “B” type fire escape. Existing stairway fire escapes will be accepted if strongly and properly built and in good condition. Fire ladders will not be accepted as exits.

SPS 376.02 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 made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.03SPS 376.03 Stairways.

SPS 376.03(1)(1) Every stairway in buildings more than 3 stories in height shall be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors. (ss. SPS 375.08, 375.09)

SPS 376.03(1m)(1m) Monumental stairs leading from the street floor to the second floor or to a basement used for commercial purposes need not be enclosed provided they are effectively cut off at the second floor and basement by fire-resistive partitions, as specified above.

SPS 376.03(2)(2) Outside stairways heretofore constructed on buildings not more than 2 stories in height will be accepted if properly constructed and in good condition.

SPS 376.03(3)(3) Existing inside stairways at a steeper angle than 45º with the horizontal, or less than 3 feet in width, will not be accepted as exits.

SPS 376.03(4)(4) All stairways and steps of more than 3 risers shall have at least one handrail. Stairways and steps which are 5 feet or more in width, or which are open on both sides, shall have a handrail on each side. Rails shall be not less than 2 feet 6 inches vertically above nose of treads or 3 feet above platform.

SPS 376.03 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 (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.04SPS 376.04 Total width of stairways.

SPS 376.04(1)(1) In a building not provided with horizontal exits, the total width of stairways (if enclosed) and stairway fire escapes shall not be less than the following:

SPS 376.04(2)(2) In ordinary or frame buildings:

Sprinklered 40 in. per 100 persons
Not Sprinklered 60 in. per 100 persons

In fire-resistive or mill buildings:

SPS 376.04(3)(3) This table is based on the assumption that in buildings over 3 stories in height the inside stairways will be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (ss. SPS 375.08 to 375.09) and that the fire escapes are located as required by s. SPS 375.13.

SPS 376.04(4)(4) If horizontal exits are provided for any floor, the number of persons accommodated on such floor may be increased at the rate of 100 persons for each 40 inches width of such exits, provided such increase shall not exceed 100% of the number of persons accommodated by the stairways and fire escapes.

SPS 376.04 NoteNote: To facilitate calculations under this order in buildings where the same number of persons are to be accommodated on each floor, the following table shows the number of persons who may be accommodated for each foot in width of enclosed stairways and protected fire escapes, or for each 2 feet in width of unenclosed stairways and unprotected fire escapes:

SPS 376.04 NoteFrame and ordinary buildings, 20 persons total, above first story, if not sprinklered; 30 if sprinklered.

SPS 376.04(5)(5) Fire-resistive and mill buildings:

SPS 376.04 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 (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.05SPS 376.05 Capacity of buildings.

SPS 376.05(1)(1) In calculating the aggregate width of exits, the capacity of buildings shall be established as follows:

SPS 376.05(2)(2) In wholesale mercantile establishments and warehouses, by the maximum number of persons employed therein plus an equal number of customers.

SPS 376.05(3)(3) In retail establishments, the capacity shall be determined by allowing one person per 100 square feet of gross floor area, excluding elevators and stairways, and no greater number of persons shall be permitted therein.

SPS 376.05(4)(4) In cafes, restaurants and taverns the capacity shall be based on 10 square feet of net floor area per person.

SPS 376.05(5)(5) In factory and office buildings, the capacity shall be determined by allowing one person per 75 square feet of net floor area in each occupied space.

SPS 376.05 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 376.06SPS 376.06 Exit doors.

SPS 376.06(1)(1) Every door which serves as the exit from a stairway shall be not more than 20 feet distant from the stairway unless the passageway from the stairway to the door is enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (ss. SPS 375.08 to 375.09). Every such door, and also every door which serves as an exit for more than 25 persons shall be a standard exit door as described in s. SPS 375.24.

SPS 376.06(2)(2) Exit lights and signs bearing the word EXIT or OUT in plain letters at least 5 inches in height shall be provided over every exit doorway from each floor except the principal entrance on the first floor. Exit lights and signs shall be installed as required by s. SPS 375.24.

SPS 376.06 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), (2) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672.

SPS 376.07SPS 376.07 Passageways. Every public passageway or aisle leading to or from a stairway, fire escape, or exit door shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times. Where loose chairs or seats would be liable to cause confusion or obstruction, such chairs or seats must be fastened.

SPS 376.07 HistoryHistory: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.