Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 120-3-3-.07 – Fire Safety Information to be Furnished in Hotels, Motels, Dormitories, Apartments, Community Living Arrangements and Personal Care Homes

Rule 120-3-3-.07. Fire Safety Information to be Furnished in Hotels, Motels, Dormitories, Apartments, Community Living Arrangements and Personal Care Homes

(1) This Rule shall apply to every new and existing hotel, motel and dormitory that comes within O.C.G.A. § 25-2-13(b); and every apartment building three or more stories in height that comes within O.C.G.A. § 25-2-13(b); and every personal care home licensed for seven or more persons. Provided, however, that nothing herein shall apply to condominiums or any individually owned residential unit within any of the aforesaid buildings.
1. (a) Every sleeping room located in any such hotel, motel, dormitory, apartment or personal care home shall contain the following fire safety information on a placard or decal language meeting the requirements of paragraph (2) herein, which shall be prominently affixed on the inside of every exit access door contained in any of the aforesaid rooms. When affixed, said placard or decal shall be unobstructed by curtains, shades or other materials.
  Exception: Single story hotels and motels where each guestroom has a door opening directly outside at street or ground level.
  SAFETY TIPS
  THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT NUMBER IS_________.
  IN CASE OF FIRE DON'T PANIC; remain calm.
  IF YOU CANNOT LEAVE THIS ROOM
  FOR YOUR SAFETY, THIS BUILDING HAS THE FOLLOWING:
  (List all of the following and any additional items as applicable.)
  1. 1. Never smoke in bed.
  2. 2. Locate fire exits on this floor. (Note: Do NOT consider elevators as exits.)
  3. 3. Count the number of doors to the nearest exit, and check for any possible obstructions.
  4. 4. When applicable: Locate fire alarm pull stations on this floor.
  5. 5. When applicable: Locate fire extinguishers on this floor.
  6. 6. Check any windows to see if they can be opened; if so determine how they open.
  7. 7. Keep your room key on a table next to your bed.
  8. 8. If you leave your room, keep door closed and take your key.
  9. 9. Write down the number for the local fire department and keep it next to the phone.
  10. 1. Report fire to front desk or fire department as appropriate.
  11. 2. If room is smoky, get on hands and knees (or stomach) and crawl to door.
  12. 3. Feel door knob; If HOT, do NOT open door; if cool, open slowly.
  13. 4. If hallway is smoky, stay next to wall and count the doors as you crawl to exit.
  14. 5. Do NOT use any elevators.
  15. 6. Do NOT prop open doors to exit staircase.
  16. 7. Hang on to handrail and WALK DOWN exit staircase.
  17. 8. When applicable: Pull fire alarm as you evacuate.
  18. 1. Notify (or Call) front desk (or manager, fire department, or other appropriate person) and let them know where you are.
  19. 2. Wet sheets, towels or clothing and stuff them in all cracks around doors and vents.
  20. 3. When applicable: Turn on bathroom fan.
  21. 4. Check to see if there is smoke OUTSIDE window; if NO smoke and if any window can be opened, hang a sheet or light colored material outside.
  22. 5. When applicable: Fill bathtub (or sink) with cold water for firefighting.
  23. 6. Using ice bucket or other container, keep doors and walls wet.
  24. 7. If room is smoky, fold a wet towel in a triangle and tie over your nose and mouth; stay low.
  25. 8. Make yourself visible to rescue personnel through any window or balcony; DO NOT JUMP!
  26. 9. Keep fighting fire until help arrives; DON'T GIVE UP!
  27. 1. Automatic sprinkler protection in every room.
  28. 2. Automatic sprinkler protection in every hallway.
  29. 3. Automatic smoke detectors in every room.
  30. 4. Automatic smoke detectors in every hallway.
  31. 5. Fire extinguishers on every floor.
  32. 6. Fire alarm pull stations at every exit.
  33. 7. Posted evacuation plans in every room.
  34. 8. Pressurized staircase with self-closing doors. (NOTE: In case of fire, do NOT prop doors open.)
  35. 9. Fire safety staircase with self-closing doors. (NOTE: In case of fire, do NOT prop doors open.)
  36. 10. Emergency lighting and exit lights.
  37. 11. Fire resistant drapery and bedding.
  38. 12. An alternative fire exit to the roof. NOTE: To be used ONLY if heavy smoke is encountered when walking DOWN the exit staircase.
2. (b) Every owner or manager of any such apartment building shall furnish to all tenants therein the fire safety information specified in subparagraph (a) herein on a placard or decal meeting requirements of paragraph
(2) The information specified in subparagraph (a) of main paragraph (1) herein shall be contained on a placard or decal at least 8-1/2 inches by 14 inches (215.9 mm by 355.6 mm) in size. The text shall be legibly printed in a minimum of twelve-point bold type. The headings contained therein shall be legibly printed in a minimum of 48-point type and the wording shall be in the English language.
Exception No. 1: Fire safety information placards or decals are not required on resident sleeping room doors in personal care homes and apartments provided there are records, signed by the individual residents of the facility, which indicates that they have received the same information as required above in the facilities operations, policy or similar manual. Fire safety information shall be reviewed during Fire Drills performed in accordance with the appropriate occupancy chapter of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, as adopted by this Chapter.
Exception No. 2: Existing fire safety information placards or decals at least 8-1/2 inches by 14 inches (215. mm by 355.6 mm) in size with legibly printed text in a minimum of twelve-point leaded, one-point type and whose headings are legibly printed in a minimum of 48-point type in the English language.
Example of 48-point type:
SAFETY TIPS
Example of 12-point type: Emergency lighting and exit lights.
(3) The information specified in subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) herein is intended to be a minimum list of fire safety tips and emergency procedures. The owner or manager of the building may modify the text of the information specified in subparagraph (a) of paragraph (1) herein as follows:
1. (a) To correspond with the structural features of any such building, or any room located therein;
2. (b) To facilitate the communication of such information upon consideration of the age or primary language of the guests, residents or students occupying any such building; and
3. (c) To add other appropriate information to the extent deemed necessary by local fire safety personnel.
(4) A placard or decal shall be affixed above the call button for every elevator located in any such hotel, motel, dormitory or apartment building which shall state in bold and conspicuous type: IN THE EVENT OF FIRE, DO NOT USE THIS ELEVATOR. In conjunction with such placard or decal, an evacuation route shall be posted with arrows indicating the direction of the nearest fire exit.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 25-2-4, 33-2-9, 50-13-21.

History. Original Rule entitled "Notes" adopted. F. Apr. 23, 1986; eff. May 15, 1986, as specified by the Agency.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Sept. 30, 1987; eff. Nov. 1, 1987, as specified by the Agency.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Dec. 3, 1990; eff. Jan. 1, 1991, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. Jan. 8, 1993; eff. Jan. 28, 1993.

Amended: F. July 9, 1998; eff. July 29, 1998.

Amended: F. Dec. 21, 1999; eff. Jan. 10, 2000.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Accessibility to and Use of Public Facilities by Persons with Disabilities" adopted. F. Aug. 21, 2003; eff. Sept. 10, 2003.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Jan. 12, 2007; eff. Feb. 1, 2007.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Feb. 17, 2010; eff. Mar. 9, 2010.

Repealed: New Rule entitled "Fire Safety Information to be Furnished in Hotels, Motels, Dormitories, Apartments, Community Living Arrangements and Personal Care Homes" adopted. F. Jan. 10, 2014; eff. Jan. 30, 2014.

Amended: F. Dec. 13, 2019; eff. Jan. 1, 2020, as specified by the Agency.

Amended: F. May 7, 2025; eff. May 27, 2025.