As used in this chapter:

1. (1) "Commission" refers to the Indiana fire prevention and building safety commission.
2. (2) "Exit" means a continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way designated as an exit pursuant to the rules of the commission. The term includes doorways, corridors, exterior exit balconies, ramps, stairways, smokeproof enclosures, horizontal exits, exit passageways, exit courts, and yards.
3. (3) "Owner" means a person having control or custody of any building covered by this chapter.
4. (4) "Public building" means any structure used in whole or in part as a place of resort, assemblage, lodging, trade, traffic, occupancy, or use by the public, or by three (3) or more tenants. It also means all educational buildings, day care centers, hospitals, institutions, health facilities, residential-custodial care facilities, mercantile occupancies, and office occupancies.

5. (5) "Special egress control device" means an electronically controlled exit locking system that:

   1. (A) allows a delay in exiting through an exit in a nonemergency situation; and

   2. (B) complies with rules adopted by the commission.

      As added by Acts 1982, P.L.140, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.8-1984, SEC.116; P.L.169-1996, SEC.1; P.L.187-2021, SEC.65.