SEC. 91.8606. EMERGENCY LIGHTING STANDARDS FOR EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, GROUP R,…

(Amended by Ord. No. 171,175, Eff. 7/25/96.)

91.8606.1. Scope. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) The provisions of this section apply to all existing buildings, which contain five or more dwelling units with an enclosed exit corridor or pathway that is 50 feet in length or greater on any single floor, or which has an enclosed stairway.

EXCEPTIONS:

A. The provisions of this section shall not apply to Group R-1 and R-2 Occupancies, which currently have lighted emergency exit signs and emergency lights in the corridors and stairwells where both signs and lights are connected to a generator, central battery system or individual battery powered unit.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to corridors located inside individual dwelling units.

C. The provisions of this section shall not apply to Group R-1 and R-2 Occupancies, which do not contain enclosed exit corridors, enclosed stairways, lobbies, passageways, or other common interior pathways that are part of the exiting system.

91.8606.2. Definition.

1. The owner is that legal owner of an apartment building, congregate residence, hotel, and in those instances where a building is a condominium, the association of owners or the association of owners and the owner of each unit.

2. The legal owner of a building is that person, firm, corporation, partnership, or other entity whose name or title appears in the last equalized assessment roll in the Office of the County Recorder, as well as all successors or assignees of these owners.

91.8606.3. Requirements.

91.8606.3.1. (Amended by Ord No. 171,430, Eff. 1/5/97.) All buildings required to comply with this section shall be provided with:

1. permanently connected, emergency, battery operated, enclosed exit corridor, enclosed stairway, and exit sign illumination installed in the required exit pathway; or,

2. the required emergency enclosed exit corridor, enclosed stairway, and exit sign illumination powered from a central battery system or an emergency generator complying with Article 700 of the NEC.

91.8606.3.2. Plan Check. Plans for the emergency exit corridor and exit sign lighting systems shall be submitted to the Department of Building and Safety for review and approval prior to obtaining a permit. Plans shall provide the information specified in Section 93.0207 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. (Electrical Code).

EXCEPTION: Existing buildings having less than four stories and containing fewer than 50 dwelling units are exempt from the requirement to submit electrical plans.

91.8606.3.3. Means of egress illumination shall be provided for the enclosed exit corridor, enclosed stairway, and pathway as required in CBC Section 1006. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.)

91.8606.3.4. Lighted exit signs shall meet the requirements of CBC Section 1011.1 and where emergency power is required for Group R-1 and R-2 Occupancies as specified in CBC Section 1011.6.3. (Amended by Ord. No. 184,692, Eff. 12/30/16.)

91.8606.3.5. Emergency battery powered units shall be capable of operating for a minimum one and one-half hours.

91.8606.3.6. The provisions of this section shall not authorize modifying emergency lighting systems in existing buildings or portions thereof which provide a greater degree of protection than the minimum requirements established by this section.

91.8606.3.7. When the residential portion of a mixed occupancy building falls within the scope of this section, the non-residential portions of that building must also comply with the provisions of this section.

91.8606.4. Enforcement.

91.8606.4.1. Notification. (Amended by Ord. No. 179,324, Eff. 12/10/07, Oper. 1/1/08.) Whenever the Department of Building and Safety or the Fire Department determines by inspection or review of City records that a Group R-1 or R-2 Occupancy multi-family residential building containing five or more dwelling units does not conform to the minimum requirements of this section, either Department shall prepare a written order directing the owner to repair and modify the building so as to conform to the minimum requirements of this section.

The order shall specify the manner in which the building fails to meet the minimum requirements of this section. The order shall direct the owner of the building to submit plans, if required, to the Department of Building and Safety, obtain necessary permits and complete the work specified in the order.

Service of the order shall be accomplished in the following manner:

1. The Department of Building and Safety and/or the Fire Department may personally serve the order upon the owner; or,

2. The Department of Building and Safety and/or the Fire Department may serve the order by certified or registered mail upon the owner.

In addition, the person in real or apparent charge or control of the building or unit of the building may be served in the manner prescribed by this section.

91.8606.4.2. Time for Compliance. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Whenever an order is served pursuant to LAMC Subdivision 91.8606.4.1 above, the owner shall:

1. Submit all building plans required by the order to the Department within two years of the effective date of the order; and

2. Obtain permits required by the order from the Department as a result of the order within three years of the effective date of the order; and

3. Complete the work required by the order within five years of the effective date of the order.

91.8606.4.3. Penalties. (Amended by Ord. No. 185,587, Eff. 7/16/18.) Any person who fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to LAMC Section 91.8606, within each of the time periods set forth in LAMC Subdivision 91.8606.4.2 above, or who causes or permits another person to fail to comply with such an order, is guilty of a misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 and/or six months imprisonment in the County Jail. For purposes of penalties, the phrase " any person " includes an owner, lessor, sublessor, manager, or any person in charge or control of a building subject to this section.

In addition to any other remedy available by law, if the owner or other person in charge or control of the subject building fails to comply with an order issued pursuant to this section within the time periods set forth in LAMC Subdivision 91.8606.4.2, the Department or the Fire Department may refer the violation to the State Franchise Tax Board as a substandard residential building and/or refer the building to the Rent Escrow Account Program (REAP).