CONNECTICUT STATE FIRE SAFETY CODE

Sec. 8: Section 29-292-9d of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies is amended as follows:

(NEW) Chapter Twenty of the Connecticut State Fire Safety Code is amended by adding the following:

(Amd) 20-3.1.1 Vertical openings shall be protected so that no primary escape route is exposed to an unprotected vertical opening. The vertical opening shall be considered protected if the opening is cut off and enclosed in a manner that provides a smoke- and fire-resisting capability of not less than ½ hr. Any doors or openings shall have fire and smoke resisting capability equivalent to that of the enclosure and shall be automatic-closing on detection of smoke or shall be self-closing.

Exception No. 1: In buildings three or fewer stories in height that are protected throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 20-3.5, unprotected vertical openings shall be permitted. However, in such cases, there shall still remain a primary means of escape from each sleeping area that does not require occupants to pass through a portion of a lower floor, unless that route is separated from all spaces on that floor by construction having a ½-hr fire resistance rating.

Exception No. 2: In buildings two or fewer stories in height and in bed and breakfasts, stair enclosures shall not be required when the building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 20-3.5.1 that utilizes residential or quick response sprinklers. Part (b) of the exception to Section 21-2.2.1 shall not be used.

Exception No. 3: In existing lodging or rooming houses, two or fewer stories in height, and in bed and breakfasts, stair enclosures shall not be required for levels at and above the street floor level when the building is provided with an approved household fire warning system in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code. This system shall consist of a control unit with smoke detectors, a manual fire alarm box on each floor level, and occupant notification with a heat detector installed in the kitchen. The kitchen shall also be separated by ½-hr fire-resistive construction, or shall be protected by a limited area sprinkler system, or the range top shall be protected by a listed residential range top extinguisher unit.