2005 Maine Code - §2453 — Fire escapes; appeals

    Each story above the first story of a building used as a schoolhouse, orphan asylum, hospital for the mentally ill, reformatory, opera house, hall for public assemblies, hotel or tenement house occupied by more than 2 families, or store in which more than 10 persons are employed above the first story, must be provided with more than one way of egress, by stairways on the inside or fire escapes on the outside of such building. Such stairways and fire escapes must be so constructed, in such a number, or such size and in such location as to give reasonably safe, adequate and convenient means of exit, in view of the number of persons who may need to use such stairway or fire escape, must at all times be kept free from obstruction and must be accessible from each room in each story above the first story. [2001, c. 31, §1 (amd).]

    Any apartment building of 3 stories or less in its entirety is permitted to have a single exit under the condition that the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system, meets the requirements of the applicable chapter of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101 and every sleeping room has a 2nd means of escape. [1999, c. 384, §19 (new).]

     An individual, partnership or corporation may not offer for sale in this State, any type of fire escape device or fire alarm systems unless first securing approval of the Commissioner of Public Safety. [1999, c. 384, §19 (amd).]

    Any person or corporation aggrieved by any order of the commissioner issued under this section may appeal to the Superior Court by filing within 30 days from the effective date of such order a complaint and the court shall fix a time and place of hearing and cause notice of the time and place to be given to the commissioner and, after the hearing, the court may affirm or reverse in full or in part any such order of the commissioner and the decision of the court is final. If the commissioner in the interest of public safety, because the commissioner determines there is immediate danger, forbids the use of such buildings for any public purpose until satisfactory compliance with the commissioner's order, such order becomes effective immediately and the filing of the complaint may not operate as a stay. [1999, c. 384, §19 (amd).]