Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.4705 New High-Rise

Elevator systems shall comply with the general requirements of Sections 57.4705.1.1 through 57.4705.1.8.

Except for the designated main floor, all elevators shall open into elevator vestibules which are constructed with walls, floors, and ceilings having a fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour.

All vestibule openings other than those for elevator doors and stairway enclosures shall be protected with automatic-closing fire assemblies having not less than a 45-minute fire-resistive rating, actuated by “combustion products” type smoke detectors.

Each elevator vestibule shall be provided with an approved smoke detector located on the lobby ceiling. The elevator controls shall be designed so that the activation of a lobby smoke detector will cause all elevators serving that landing or floor to return non-stop to the designated main floor and be under manual control only.

Elevators with an alternate floor recall feature shall also have an approved smoke detector in the designated main floor elevator lobby. Activation of this smoke detector would recall the elevator to an alternate floor designated by the Chief.

There shall be provided for Fire Department use in case of any emergency, a key for the main floor switch and for each fire control elevator and emergency elevator. These keys shall be readily accessible and in a location approved by the Chief.

A permanent sign shall be installed adjacent to the elevator call station on each floor reading “IN CASE OF FIRE USE STAIRWAY FOR EXIT. DO NOT USE ELEVATOR.”

At least one elevator in each bank of elevators shall be available for fire emergency service and shall have its controls designed so that key switches located in the building control station/fire command center will recall said elevator or elevators to the designated main floor. The elevator or elevators shall be interconnected with the standby power. This standby power shall be transferable to any other elevator in the bank and shall be capable of operating the elevator with a full load.

At least one elevator car serving all building levels shall be made available for emergency use and shall contain the following:

1. A minimum inside car platform of 4 feet 3 inches deep by 6 feet 8 inches wide with a minimum clear opening width of 42 inches, unless otherwise designed and approved to provide equivalent utility to

accommodate an ambulance stretcher having a minimum size of 24 inches by 84 inches in its horizontal position.

2. The elevator shall be subject to control from the building control station.

3. The elevator shall be interconnected with the standby power system.

4. The elevator shall be identified with a permanent sign installed adjacent to the elevator control panel in the building control station.

Installation, alteration, and major repair of the items listed in Sections 57.4705.1.1 through 57.4705.1.3 shall be performed under permit of the Department of Building and Safety, when such permit is required.

Except as provided herein, elevators shall conform to the requirements of Article 51, Part 2, Title 24, C.C.R.

There shall be provided for Fire Department use, at least two access doors to two vertical exit enclosures that serve all building levels and the roof at the main entrance level, one of which is inside the building.

Each building shall have a rooftop emergency helicopter landing facility in a location approved by the Chief. A heliport as classified in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390 2B may be accepted in lieu of the emergency helicopter landing facility. Facilities shall be installed under permit of Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building and Plumbing Codes) and should also be in accordance with the guidelines of FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390 2B.

The following words or group of words, when used in this section, shall be defined as follows:

Approach-Departure Path. The flight path of the helicopter as it approaches or departs from the emergency helicopter landing facility designated take- off and landing area. The approach-departure path is measured from the edge of the take-off and landing area and is a rising slope determined by a ratio of 8 feet horizontal distance for every 1 foot of vertical height.

Peripheral Area. An obstruction-free (i.e., no intrusions into the approach-departure path) area adjacent to the take-off and landing area serving as a safety zone.

Take-off and Landing Area. The designated area on the emergency helicopter landing facility from which helicopter departures and approaches are intended to originate or terminate.

Touchdown Pad. The load bearing portion of the emergency helicopter landing facility designated take- off and landing area on which a helicopter may land.

An emergency helicopter landing facility shall meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Approach-Departure Path: The facility shall have two approach-departure paths with a 90-degree arc of separation between the two.

2. Touchdown Pad: The touchdown pad shall have a dimension of 50 feet by 50 feet.

NOTE: The touchdown pad is the same size as the take-off and landing area.

3. Peripheral Area: The peripheral area (obstruction-free safety zone) surrounding the take-off and landing area/touchdown pad shall be 25 feet from the edge of the take-off and landing area.

4. Safety Net: If the touchdown pad is elevated more than 30 inches above the adjoining roof level, a horizontally attached safety net shall be installed around the perimeter. The safety net shall be located in such a manner that it will not penetrate the approach-departure paths.

5. A wind-indicating device shall be provided.

6. Fire Protection: One Class H standpipe in accordance with Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Plumbing Code) shall be provided. A weather-resistant cabinet for fire hose shall be provided with

100 feet of rubber-lined, single-jacketed, 1 1/2 inch fire hose equipped with a fog nozzle.

7. The emergency helicopter landing facility shall be marked as indicated in Figure 57.4705.4.

EXCEPTION: Heliport marking as defined in FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390 2B for private use or public use may be accepted.

FIGURE 57.4705.4

MARKINGS UTILIZING A SQUARE FOR A ROOF-TOP EMERGENCY HELICOPTER LANDING FACILITY

NOTES:

1. The preferred touchdown pad background color is white.

2. The red numeral indicates the allowable weight, in thousands of pounds, that the facility is capable of supporting.

3. The numeral shall be oriented toward magnetic north.

4. Allowable weight shall not be in metric units.

At least one Class 2A:10B:C portable fire extinguisher shall be provided in each high-rise residential occupancy unit in such a manner that the extinguisher is immediately accessible and mounted adjacent to the main exit.

EXCEPTION: High-rise residential occupancy units which are protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system throughout.

Violation of Section 57.4705.5 shall be subject to penalties and minimum fines as prescribed in Section 57.110.4 and Table 57.110.4.

See Section 57.604.2.14.1.3.1 requirement for standby power to exterior window washing equipment for use on high-rise buildings.