3833 FIRE SAFETY

3833.1 Each MHCRF shall comply with all applicable provisions of the D.C. Fire Code and the Fire Safety Provisions of the D.C. Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 7).

3833.2 Each MHCRF shall obtain an annual inspection of the facility by FEMSD, which shall determine the facility's compliance or non-compliance with fire safety requirements; provided that fire safety inspections for new construction or substantial renovation of a structure may be performed by DCRA in accordance with DCRA and FEMSD procedures and the requirements of the Construction Codes.

3833.3 Each MHCRF shall have a written Emergency Preparedness Plan with instructions that is approved by FEMSD. The plan shall be followed in case of fire, explosion, or any other emergency and shall be available for review in each MHCRF.

3833.4 The plan shall be updated annually, as necessary, and include the following:

1. (a) Written responsibilities and specific tasks for each staff member;
2. (b) A plan for training staff at least twice a year on the plan;
3. (c) The procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
4. (d) Life safety strategies and procedures for notifying, relocating, or evacuating occupants;
5. (e) A site plan indicating an assembly point for occupants;
6. (f) Floor plans identifying the location of:
7. (1) Exits;
8. (2) Primary evacuation routes;
9. (3) Secondary evacuation routes;
10. (4) Accessible egress routes;
11. (5) Manual fire alarm pull stations;

12. (6) Fire alarm annunciators and controls; and

13. (7) Portable fire extinguishers;

14. (g) A list of major fire hazards associated with normal use of the facility, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures;
15. (h) Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed in the facility to prevent or control fires;
16. (i) The signature of the Operator; and
17. (j) The signature of the FEMSD official approving the plan.3833.5 Drills testing the effectiveness of the fire plan shall be conducted:- (a) For each resident individually upon admission;
18. (b) For current residents within two (2) weeks of the effective date of a new or revised plan; and
19. (c) At least quarterly, with at least one (1) drill per shift, in accordance with the D.C. Fire Code, as referenced in § 3833.1.3833.6 Each MHCRF shall maintain in its records the most recent fire inspection report with the date of the latest inspection of the alarm system.3833.7 Each MHCRF shall install and maintain smoke detectors in accordance with the requirements of the D.C. Fire Code, as referenced in § 3833.1, for smoke detection devices in residential facilities, and any additional requirements of the Smoke Detector Act of 1978, effective June 20, 1978 (D.C. Law 2-81; D.C. Official Code §§ 6-751.01 et seq.) as determined by DCRA or FEMSD.3833.8 Smoke detectors shall be installed to provide protection:- (a) In each room used for sleeping; or
20. (b) In each corridor outside of or adjacent to a room used for sleeping; and
21. (c) On each story within the facility.3833.9 The MHCRF shall install and maintain a smoke detector system composed of interconnected smoke detectors, as required by DCRA and FEMSD pursuant to the requirements of the D.C. Fire Code.

3833.10 No MHCRF shall permit smoking in bedrooms.3833.11 A fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 210 (BC) that is effective in extinguishing grease and oil fires shall be located within fifteen feet (15 ft.) of any stove, oven, cooking burner, or other cooking device.3833.12 Each MHCRF shall have at least one (1) working fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 210 (BC) on each floor, including the basement and first floor, in a central location accessible to residents and employees.3833.13 A fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 210 (BC) of a type and capacity sufficient to extinguish fires originating in the main heating plant and hot water heater shall be located within five feet (5 ft.) of this equipment.3833.14 Each fire extinguisher shall be:- (a) Properly maintained;

- (b) Approved for its specific use by an official of the FEMSD; and

- (c) Inspected by FEMSD annually and in accordance with the International Fire and Construction Codes cited in § 3833.1.3833.15 Each fire extinguisher shall be recharged immediately after use and properly tagged.3833.16 Each fire extinguisher shall have attached to it a tag giving the date when the service was performed, a description of the service performed, and the name and address of the person performing the service.3833.17 Each MHCRF shall have a fire exit that is:- (a) Clearly designated on the MHCRF's emergency preparedness plan;

- (b) Clearly identified for residents;

- (c) Kept clear of obstructions; and

- (d) Accessible from sleeping rooms.3833.18 If the area or floor served by a fire exit door is to be occupied, the door shall not require a key to unlock the door from the inside and shall not require more than thirty (30) seconds to unlock.

3833.19 Each MHCRF that has residents in sleeping rooms above the second floor, or that has more than eight (8) residents in sleeping rooms above the street level, shall:

(a) Provide access to two (2) separate means of exit for sleeping rooms above street level, at least one (1) of which shall consist of an enclosed interior stair, a horizontal exit, or a fire escape, all arranged to provide a safe path of travel to the outside of the building without traversing any corridor or space exposed to an unprotected vertical opening; or

(b) Otherwise comply with D.C. Fire Code.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 1633 (February 16, 2018).