2005 Nevada Revised Statutes - Chapter 477 — State Fire Marshal

CHAPTER 477 - STATE FIRE MARSHAL

ADMINISTRATION

NRS 477.010 StateFire Marshal Division: Establishment and composition.

NRS 477.013 Appointmentof State Fire Marshal, assistant, deputies and other employees.

NRS 477.014 Appointmentof special deputies; duties.

NRS 477.020 StateBoard of Fire Services: Creation; members; qualifications of members; terms ofmembers; meetings; compensation of members; duties.

NRS 477.030 Duties;powers.

NRS 477.031 Feesfor services and regulatory activities: Adoption; deposit; use.

NRS 477.032 Regulationsconcerning registration of qualified interior designers who provide interiormaterials and furnishings regulated by building code; contents of regulations;eligibility.

NRS 477.033 License:Requirements; application; fee; hearing.

NRS 477.035 Inspectionof state buildings; duties of State Public Works Board.

NRS 477.037 Library:Establishment; maintenance; materials; fees for use.

NRS 477.039 Trainingprograms.

NRS 477.045 Hazardousmaterials: Training program for response to spills; permit for storage;surcharge for permit.

NRS 477.047 Hazardousmaterials: Establishment of mobile training team to train volunteerfirefighters to respond to incidents.

NRS 477.050 Reportto Governor; legislative recommendations.

FIRE SERVICE STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMITTEE

NRS 477.070 Committeedefined.

NRS 477.075 Creation;composition; appointment, terms and compensation of members; officers;vacancies; administrative support.

NRS 477.080 Duties.

NRS 477.085 Powers.

NRS 477.090 Proposedtraining and certification programs: Submission; evaluation; contents; effectof approval.

CHANGES TO EXISTING STRUCTURES TO ENHANCE SAFETY FROM FIRE

NRS 477.100 Authoritydefined.

NRS 477.110 Limitationson local ordinances requiring changes.

NRS 477.120 Exits,open stairways and vertical shafts.

NRS 477.130 Firealarms.

NRS 477.140 Smokedetectors; openings used to supply air.

NRS 477.150 Firesprinklers; elevators; posting of floor numbers and route for evacuation;heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and paging systems.

NRS 477.160 Buildingsused for public assembly.

NRS 477.170 Facilitiesfor landing helicopters on top of buildings.

PENALTIES

NRS 477.250 Violationof chapter; each day of violation constitutes separate offense.

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ADMINISTRATION

NRS 477.010 StateFire Marshal Division: Establishment and composition.

1. The State Fire Marshal Division is herebyestablished in the Department of Public Safety.

2. The Division consists of the Fire Protection andControl Section, the Fire Investigation Section, the Public Education Section,the Fire Service Training Section and the Fire Data Section.

(Added to NRS by 1965, 960; A 1973, 1072; 1977, 1226;1979, 124; 1981, 1588; 1993, 1636; 2001, 2628)

NRS 477.013 Appointmentof State Fire Marshal, assistant, deputies and other employees.

1. The Director of the Department of Public Safetyshall consult the State Board of Fire Services and appoint the State FireMarshal from the list of candidates presented by the Board. The Chief of theState Fire Marshal Division is the State Fire Marshal.

2. The State Fire Marshal may appoint, within thelimits of legislative appropriations, an assistant, deputies and such staff asis necessary to the performance of his duties.

3. The assistant, deputies and additional personnelappointed by the State Fire Marshal are in the classified service of the State.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 1051; A 1971, 844; 1973, 1072;1977, 1464; 1979, 124; 1985, 429; 1993, 1636; 2001, 2628)

NRS 477.014 Appointmentof special deputies; duties. A fire chief,fire marshal, police officer or a person charged with the enforcement ofbuilding codes by a local government may be appointed by the State Fire Marshalto serve as a Special Deputy State Fire Marshal, without additionalcompensation. The Special Deputy State Fire Marshal shall carry out theprovisions of this chapter as directed by the State Fire Marshal.

(Added to NRS by 1979, 124; A 1985, 329)

NRS 477.020 StateBoard of Fire Services: Creation; members; qualifications of members; terms ofmembers; meetings; compensation of members; duties.

1. The State Board of Fire Services, consisting ofeight members appointed by the Governor, is hereby created.

2. The Governor shall appoint:

(a) A licensed architect;

(b) A chief of a volunteer fire department;

(c) A chief of a full-time, paid fire department;

(d) A professional engineer;

(e) The State Forester Firewarden;

(f) A training officer of a volunteer fire department;

(g) A training officer of a partially or fully paidfire department; and

(h) A specialist in hazardous materials,

to theBoard. No member other than the State Forester Firewarden may serve for morethan two consecutive terms.

3. The Board shall select a Chairman from among itsmembers to serve for 1 year. The State Fire Marshal shall serve as theSecretary of the Board.

4. The Board may meet regularly at least twice eachyear or on the call of the Chairman, the Secretary or any three members.

5. The members of the Board, except the State ForesterFirewarden, are entitled to receive a salary of $60 for each days attendanceat a meeting of the Board.

6. The Board shall make recommendations to the StateFire Marshal and to the Legislature concerning necessary legislation in thefield of fire fighting and fire protection. When requested to do so by theDirector of the Department of Public Safety, the Board shall recommend to himnot fewer than three persons for appointment as State Fire Marshal.

7. The Board shall advise the State Fire Marshal onmatters relating to the training of firefighters.

(Added to NRS by 1965, 960; A 1967, 153; 1977, 1226;1979, 124; 1981, 1588, 1985; 1983, 1445; 1985, 429; 1989, 490; 1993, 1636; 2001, 2628; 2005, 338)

NRS 477.030 Duties;powers.

1. Except asotherwise provided in this section, the State Fire Marshal shall enforce alllaws and adopt regulations relating to:

(a) Theprevention of fire.

(b) The storageand use of:

(1) Combustibles,flammables and fireworks; and

(2) Explosivesin any commercial construction, but not in mining or the control of avalanches,

under those circumstances that arenot otherwise regulated by the Division of Industrial Relations of theDepartment of Business and Industry pursuant to NRS 618.890.

(c) The safety,access, means and adequacy of exit in case of fire from mental and penalinstitutions, facilities for the care of children, foster homes, residentialfacilities for groups, facilities for intermediate care, nursing homes,hospitals, schools, all buildings, except private residences, which areoccupied for sleeping purposes, buildings used for public assembly and allother buildings where large numbers of persons work, live or congregate for anypurpose. As used in this paragraph, public assembly means a building or aportion of a building used for the gathering together of 50 or more persons forpurposes of deliberation, education, instruction, worship, entertainment,amusement or awaiting transportation, or the gathering together of 100 or morepersons in establishments for drinking or dining.

(d) Thesuppression and punishment of arson and fraudulent claims or practices inconnection with fire losses.

The regulations of the State FireMarshal apply throughout the State, but, except with respect to state-owned orstate-occupied buildings, his authority to enforce them or conductinvestigations under this chapter does not extend to a county whose populationis 100,000 or more or which has been converted into a consolidated municipality,except in those local jurisdictions in those counties where he is requested toexercise that authority by the chief officer of the organized fire departmentof that jurisdiction or except as otherwise provided in a regulation adoptedpursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 2.

2. The StateFire Marshal may:

(a) Setstandards for equipment and appliances pertaining to fire safety or to be usedfor fire protection within this State, including the threads used on fire hosecouplings and hydrant fittings; and

(b) Adoptregulations based on nationally recognized standards setting forth therequirements for fire departments to provide training to firefighters usingtechniques or exercises that involve the use of fire or any device thatproduces or may be used to produce fire.

3. The StateFire Marshal shall cooperate with the State Forester Firewarden in thepreparation of regulations relating to standards for fire retardant roofingmaterials pursuant to paragraph (e) of subsection 1 of NRS 472.040.

4. The StateFire Marshal shall cooperate with the Division of Child and Family Services ofthe Department of Health and Human Services in establishing reasonable minimumstandards for overseeing the safety of and directing the means and adequacy ofexit in case of fire from family foster homes and group foster homes.

5. The StateFire Marshal shall coordinate all activities conducted pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 2201 et seq. and receive and distribute money allocated by the United Statespursuant to that act.

6. Except asotherwise provided in subsection 10, the State Fire Marshal shall:

(a) Investigateany fire which occurs in a county other than one whose population is 100,000 ormore or which has been converted into a consolidated municipality, and from whicha death results or which is of a suspicious nature.

(b) Investigateany fire which occurs in a county whose population is 100,000 or more or whichhas been converted into a consolidated municipality, and from which a deathresults or which is of a suspicious nature, if requested to do so by the chiefofficer of the fire department in whose jurisdiction the fire occurs.

(c) Cooperatewith the Commissioner of Insurance, the Attorney General and the Fraud ControlUnit established pursuant to NRS 228.412in any investigation of a fraudulent claim under an insurance policy for anyfire of a suspicious nature.

(d) Cooperatewith any local fire department in the investigation of any report receivedpursuant to NRS 629.045.

(e) Providespecialized training in investigating the causes of fires if requested to do soby the chief officer of an organized fire department.

7. The StateFire Marshal shall put the National Fire Incident Reporting System into effectthroughout the State and publish at least annually a summary of data collectedunder the System.

8. The StateFire Marshal shall provide assistance and materials to local authorities, uponrequest, for the establishment of programs for public education and other fireprevention activities.

9. The StateFire Marshal shall:

(a) Assist inchecking plans and specifications for construction;

(b) Providespecialized training to local fire departments; and

(c) Assistlocal governments in drafting regulations and ordinances,

on request or as he deems necessary.

10. Except asotherwise provided in this subsection, in a county other than one whosepopulation is 100,000 or more or which has been converted into a consolidatedmunicipality, the State Fire Marshal shall, upon request by a local government,delegate to the local government by interlocal agreement all or a portion ofhis authority or duties if the local governments personnel and programs are,as determined by the State Fire Marshal, equally qualified to perform thosefunctions. If a local government fails to maintain the qualified personnel andprograms in accordance with such an agreement, the State Fire Marshal shallrevoke the agreement. The provisions of this subsection do not apply to theauthority of the State Fire Marshal to adopt regulations pursuant to paragraph(b) of subsection 2.

11. The State Fire Marshal may, as a public safetyofficer or as a technical expert on issues relating to hazardous materials,participate in any local, state or federal team or task force that isestablished to conduct enforcement and interdiction activities involving:

(a) Commercial trucking;

(b) Environmental crimes;

(c) Explosives and pyrotechnics;

(d) Drugs or other controlled substances; or

(e) Any similar activity specified by the State FireMarshal.

(Added to NRS by 1965, 961; A 1967, 152; 1973, 301,1166, 1406; 1975, 10, 567, 1575; 1977, 1465; 1979, 125, 1331; 1983, 1389; 1985,329, 1762; 1987, 2281; 1989, 1928; 1991, 1897; 1993, 334, 581, 2725, 2739; 1999, 1075, 1858; 2001, 125, 1101, 1992; 2005, 1253)

NRS 477.031 Feesfor services and regulatory activities: Adoption; deposit; use. The State Fire Marshal shall by regulation adopt aschedule of fees for the services and regulatory activities performed by theState Fire Marshal Division pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Thefees must:

1. Approximate the cost of those services andactivities.

2. Be deposited with the State Treasurer for credit tothe appropriate account of the State Fire Marshal Division.

3. Be used to carry out the provisions of thischapter.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 1239; A 1989, 316)

NRS 477.032 Regulationsconcerning registration of qualified interior designers who provide interiormaterials and furnishings regulated by building code; contents of regulations;eligibility.

1. The StateFire Marshal shall, by regulation, provide for the registration of qualifiedinterior designers who provide interior materials and furnishings regulated bya building code.

2. Theregulations must set forth:

(a) Thequalifications necessary for the issuance of a certificate of registrationpursuant to this section, including, without limitation, the submission of evidenceof the successful completion of a course of study approved by the State FireMarshal regarding applicable building codes and other related information.

(b) Thecriteria for approving instructors and courses of study regarding applicablebuilding codes and other related information.

(c) Anycontinuing education necessary for the renewal of a certificate of registrationissued pursuant to this section.

3. A person licensed or registered by the State Boardof Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design pursuant to chapter 623 of NRS is not eligible for theissuance of a certificate of registration pursuant to this section.

(Added to NRS by 1999, 2549)

NRS 477.033 License:Requirements; application; fee; hearing.

1. A license, issued by the State Fire Marshal, isrequired for:

(a) Maintenance, installation or sale of fireextinguishers, fire alarm systems or fire sprinkler systems.

(b) Use of explosives in any commercial construction,but not in mining or the control of avalanches.

(c) Commercial fireworks displays.

2. Applications for licenses must be made on a formprescribed by the State Fire Marshal.

3. The State Fire Marshal may conduct inspections,examinations or hearings before the issuance of licenses.

4. The State Fire Marshal may charge a reasonable fee,to be fixed by regulation, for the inspection and issuance of licenses.

5. If any person is denied a license by the State FireMarshal, he is entitled to a hearing, upon request, before a hearing officer.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 152; A 1973, 333; 1977, 75;1979, 126; 1985, 330)

NRS 477.035 Inspectionof state buildings; duties of State Public Works Board.

1. The State Fire Marshal shall:

(a) Inspect or cause to be inspected annually, allstate buildings and order such fire-extinguishing and safety appliances as hedeems necessary for the protection of the property against fire.

(b) Order the removal of combustibles and rubbish fromthe property, or order such changes in the entrances or exits of the buildingsas will promote the safety of the occupants, or order the provision of suchfire escapes as he may deem necessary.

(c) Provide inspection forms and maintain records ofinspections of state-owned or state-occupied buildings.

2. If the agency in charge of any state property failsto comply with the order of the State Fire Marshal for any structural changewithin 30 days after the receipt of such order, the Fire Marshal shall reportsuch failure to the State Public Works Board. The State Public Works Boardshall thereupon take necessary steps to correct the situation as ordered.

3. The State Fire Marshal may contract with localauthorities for the inspection of state-owned or state-occupied buildings.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 1097; A 1973, 910; 1979, 127)

NRS 477.037 Library:Establishment; maintenance; materials; fees for use. TheState Fire Marshal:

1. Shall establish and maintain a library ofpublications, films, fire report data and other materials for the benefit ofthe fire service of the State and the general public.

2. Shall incorporate into the materials in thelibrary, where feasible and appropriate, a discussion of the issues relating tocontrolled fires.

3. May charge a reasonable fee for the use of thematerials in the library.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 153; A 1979, 127; 1993, 1204)

NRS 477.039 Trainingprograms.

1. The State Fire Marshal shall:

(a) Furnish and administer programs for the training offirefighters;

(b) Describe the programs that are available fortraining of firefighters and notify fire departments of the availability ofthese programs;

(c) Administer a program to certify firefighters,whenever requested to do so, for successful completion of a training program;

(d) Develop a program to train instructors;

(e) Assist other agencies and organizations to prepareand administer training programs;

(f) Carry out the provisions of paragraphs (a) to (e),inclusive, in accordance with recommendations submitted to him by the FireService Standards and Training Committee and the regulations adopted by theCommittee; and

(g) Establish a regional hazardous materials trainingfacility and furnish training programs concerning hazardous materials for emergencypersonnel, agencies and other persons.

2. The State Fire Marshal may enter into agreementsfor the procurement of necessary services or property, may accept gifts,grants, services or property for the training programs and may charge fees fortraining programs, materials or services provided.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1589; A 1989, 1522; 1995, 822;2005, 338)

NRS 477.045 Hazardousmaterials: Training program for response to spills; permit for storage;surcharge for permit.

1. The State Fire Marshal shall establish a statewidetraining program for response to spills of hazardous materials and relatedfires. The State Fire Marshal shall require persons who store hazardousmaterials to obtain a permit to do so. The State Fire Marshal shall collect asurcharge of $60 for each such permit issued in the State. The surcharge is inaddition to any other fee charged for the issuance of such a permit.

2. The revenue derived by the State Fire Marshalpursuant to this section must be deposited with the State Treasurer for creditto the Contingency Account for Hazardous Materials.

(Added to NRS by 1989, 746; A 1991, 1776)

NRS 477.047 Hazardousmaterials: Establishment of mobile training team to train volunteerfirefighters to respond to incidents.

1. The State Fire Marshal shall establish a mobiletraining team to train volunteer firefighters to respond to incidents involvinghazardous materials.

2. The State Fire Marshal shall have the goal ofproviding to all volunteer firefighters training in compliance with therequirements for the first responder operations level set forth in 29 C.F.R. 1910.120.

3. As used in this section, hazardous material hasthe meaning ascribed to it in NRS 459.7024.

(Added to NRS by 1993, 905; A 1993, 906; 2005, 339)

NRS 477.050 Reportto Governor; legislative recommendations. TheState Fire Marshal shall before September 1 of each even-numbered year, for thebiennium ending June 30 of such year, transmit to the Governor a full report ofhis proceedings and such statistics as he may wish to include therein. He shallalso recommend any amendments to the law which, in his judgment, are desirable.

(Added to NRS by 1965, 961; A 1969, 1458)

FIRE SERVICE STANDARDS AND TRAINING COMMITTEE

NRS 477.070 Committeedefined. As used in NRS 477.070 to 477.090, inclusive, unless the contextotherwise requires, Committee means the Fire Service Standards and TrainingCommittee.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 820)

NRS 477.075 Creation;composition; appointment, terms and compensation of members; officers;vacancies; administrative support.

1. The Fire Service Standards and Training Committee,consisting of seven voting members and one nonvoting member, is hereby created.

2. The Committee consists of the Chairman of the StateBoard of Fire Services, who is an ex officio member of the Committee, onemember appointed by the State Fire Marshal, and six members appointed by theGovernor as follows:

(a) Two chief officers or persons of equivalent rank,or two persons designated by the chief of the department, of a full-time, paidfire department who have experience in fire service training;

(b) Two chief officers or persons of equivalent rank,or two persons designated by the chief of the department, of a volunteer firedepartment who have experience in fire service training; and

(c) Two chief officers or persons of equivalent rank,or two persons designated by the chief of the department, of a combination paidand volunteer fire department who have experience in fire service training.

3. The six members appointed by the Governor must befrom the following counties:

(a) One member from Clark County;

(b) One member from Washoe County; and

(c) Four members from other counties, except that amajority of the voting members on the Committee must not be from one county.

4. The Governor shall make the appointments fromrecommendations submitted by:

(a) The Nevada Fire Chiefs Association, Inc.;

(b) The Nevada State Firemens Association;

(c) The Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada;

(d) The Southern Nevada Fire Marshals Association;

(e) The Southern Nevada Fire Chiefs Association;

(f) The Northern Nevada Fire Marshals Association; and

(g) Representatives of fire departments of WashoeCounty.

5. For the initial terms of the members of theCommittee, each entity listed in subsection 4 shall submit threerecommendations to the Governor. After the initial terms, each entity shall submittwo recommendations to the Governor.

6. The member appointed by the State Fire Marshalshall serve as Secretary to the Committee and is a nonvoting member of theCommittee.

7. The members of the Committee shall select aChairman from among their membership.

8. After the initial terms, the term of each appointedmember of the Committee is 2 years.

9. A vacancy in the Committee must be filled for theremainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

10. Each member of the Committee is entitled toreceive from the State Fire Marshal Division of the Department of Public Safetythe per diem allowance and travel expenses provided for state officers andemployees generally for each day or portion of a day during which he attends ameeting of the Committee or is otherwise engaged in the work of the Committee.

11. The State Fire Marshal Division shall provide theCommittee with administrative support.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 820; A 2001, 2629)

NRS 477.080 Duties. The Committee shall:

1. Meet at the call of the Chairman at least fourtimes each year.

2. Encourage the training and education of fireservice personnel to improve the system of public safety in the State.

3. Adopt regulations establishing minimum standardsfor the approval of training and certification programs submitted by a firedepartment or other fire service training agency or organization of the Statepursuant to NRS 477.090. The regulationsmust provide minimum standards for the training and certification, includingthe renewal and revocation of certification, of fire service personnel whoserve in positions for which the Committee determines minimum standards oftraining and certification are necessary.

4. Provide information and make recommendations to theState Fire Marshal and the State Board of Fire Services concerning the trainingof fire service personnel.

5. Approve the budget for the operation of theCommittee.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 821)

NRS 477.085 Powers. The Committee may:

1. Adopt regulations which:

(a) It determines are necessary for the operation ofthe Committee.

(b) Require that training programs which are approvedby the Committee and require special facilities be conducted at facilitiesapproved by the Committee.

2. Recommend to the Legislature any appropriatelegislation concerning the training of fire service personnel.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 822)

NRS 477.090 Proposedtraining and certification programs: Submission; evaluation; contents; effectof approval.

1. A fire department or other fire service trainingagency or organization of the State may submit to the Chairman of the Committeea proposed training and certification program for any of the fire servicepersonnel who serve in positions for which the Committee has adoptedregulations pursuant to NRS 477.080. Theproposed program must be submitted not less than 30 days before the nextscheduled meeting of the Committee.

2. At that meeting, the Committee shall evaluate theproposed program and determine whether it meets the standards for training andcertification prescribed in the regulations adopted by the Committee pursuantto NRS 477.080.

3. A proposed training and certification programsubmitted pursuant to this section must include:

(a) A description of the fire service personnelpositions which will be covered by the program;

(b) A description of the training which the programwill provide;

(c) A procedure for the renewal of certification; and

(d) A procedure for the revocation of certification.

4. If a training and certification program is approvedby the Committee, the program constitutes the standard for state certificationof fire service personnel.

(Added to NRS by 1995, 821)

CHANGES TO EXISTING STRUCTURES TO ENHANCE SAFETY FROM FIRE

NRS 477.100 Authority defined. As used in NRS 477.100to 477.170, inclusive, unless thecontext otherwise requires, authority means:

1. The StateFire Marshal in a county other than one whose population is 100,000 or more orwhich has been converted into a consolidated municipality;

2. Unless thecounty has enacted an ordinance designating the persons who constitute theauthority, the chief building official and chief officer of the fire service ofthe jurisdiction in a county whose population is 100,000 or more or which hasbeen converted into a consolidated municipality, and if they are unable to agreeon any question, authority includes the county manager or city manager, whoshall cast the deciding vote on that question; or

3. If the board of county commissioners of a countywhose population is 100,000 or more or which has been converted into aconsolidated municipality, or the governing body of a city in that county, hasspecified a person or persons to act as the authority, that person or thosepersons.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1568; A 1987, 2282; 1989,1930; 1999, 1077;2001, 1994)

NRS 477.110 Limitationson local ordinances requiring changes. AfterMay 15, 1981, the governing body of a local government may not adopt an ordinancerequiring changes to existing structures to enhance the safety of occupantsfrom fire if the ordinance is:

1. Less stringent than this chapter; or

2. More stringent than this chapter unless the governingbody has sought and obtained approval of the ordinance from the State Board ofExaminers.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1569)

NRS 477.120 Exits,open stairways and vertical shafts.

1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, theowner or operator of any building, except a single-family detached dwelling,shall:

(a) Equip every exit corridor and other means of exitwith emergency lighting of a type approved by the authority which permits thesafe evacuation of the building.

(b) Except as otherwise provided by the authority,equip every door to an exit corridor which serves 30 or more occupants with adevice, approved by the authority, which closes the door.

(c) Except as otherwise provided by the authority,immediately provide adequate facilities for exit.

(d) If the building has three stories or more, encloseevery open stairway or vertical shaft with:

(1) Construction whose resistance to fire hasbeen approved by the authority; or

(2) Alternate means approved by the authoritywhich afford equivalent protection to life and property from fire.

2. A medical facility or facility for the dependent isexempt from the provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection 1 with regard to thedoor to a patients room if smoking in the patients room is prohibited orpermitted only when:

(a) An employee of the facility is present; or

(b) Smoking material is wholly contained within adevice designed for such use and approved by the State Fire Marshal.

3. Upon a showing of practical difficulty orunnecessary hardship, the authority may grant an exemption from the provisionsof paragraph (c) of subsection 1 if it is clearly evident that the safeevacuation of the building will not be hindered thereby.

4. When an exemption is granted pursuant to subsection3, the authority shall record the details of and reasons for the exemption.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1569; A 1983, 809; 1985, 918,1763)

NRS 477.130 Firealarms. The owner or operator of every hotelor motel of three stories or more which contains 20 or more guest rooms,apartment building or condominium of three stories or more with 15 or moredwelling units, or any office building of three stories or more shall equip thebuilding with fire alarms in compliance with paragraph 2 of section 1202B ofthe 1979 edition of the Uniform Building Code.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1569)

NRS 477.140 Smokedetectors; openings used to supply air.

1. The owner or operator of every hotel or motel whichcontains at least six guest rooms, or apartment building with at least threedwelling units, shall equip each room primarily used for sleeping in a hotel ormotel and each dwelling unit in an apartment building with a smoke detector,the placement of which is approved by the authority.

2. The owner or operator of every hotel or motel whichcontains at least six guest rooms, or apartment building or condominium with atleast three dwelling units shall seal any opening used to supply air from acorridor to a guest room or to a dwelling unit unless:

(a) The corridor contains smoke detectors as requiredby regulation of the State Fire Marshal;

(b) Activation of any two detectors causes the supplyof air to cease and seals the opening between the room and the corridor; and

(c) He obtains the approval of the authority to supplyair in this manner.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1569)

NRS 477.150 Firesprinklers; elevators; posting of floor numbers and route for evacuation;heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and paging systems. The owner or operator of every hotel, motel, office, apartmentbuilding or condominium where human occupancy is permitted on floors which aremore than 55 feet above the lowest level of ground accessible to vehicles of afire department, shall:

1. Equip each exit corridor of the building with firesprinklers as required by regulations of the State Fire Marshal;

2. Except in a condominium, equip each room with atleast one fire sprinkler above each door opening into an exit corridor of thebuilding;

3. Equip every elevator so as to permit it to berecalled automatically, in compliance with section A 17.1 of the 1978 editionof the American National Standards Institute and section 211.3 of the 1981amendments to that edition, to the first floor or, if necessary, to any otherfloor of the building not affected by fire;

4. Post the number of each floor in every stairwelland in every lobby adjacent to an elevator;

5. Equip the heating, ventilating and air-conditioningsystem with an automatic device to shut it off as prescribed in section 1009 ofthe 1979 edition of the Uniform Mechanical Code, and with an additionalsmoke detector as required by the 1978 edition of National Fire ProtectionAssociation Standard 90A; and

6. In each room primarily used for sleeping, except ina condominium:

(a) Post in a prominent location an explanation of theroute to use for evacuation of the building; and

(b) Install a paging alarm system which conforms to theregulations of the State Fire Marshal, to permit vocal warning and instructionsto the occupants.

7. In a condominium, install in the common areas apaging alarm system meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of subsection 6,with a sound level of 80 decibels.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1569)

NRS 477.160 Buildingsused for public assembly.

1. The owner or operator of every building or portionof a building used for public assembly:

(a) Which has a room or rooms which have a total floorarea of more than 5,000 square feet and which are used for public assembly,within a building with a total floor area of 12,000 square feet or more, shallinstall automatic sprinklers for protection from fire as required by regulationof the State Fire Marshal, except in those areas where the authority waivesthis requirement. The authority may waive this requirement for any space whichis separated from this area by construction whose resistance to fire has beenapproved by the authority.

(b) Which is certified for occupancy by more than 300persons shall:

(1) Use interior finishes in the areas used forpublic assembly which comply with chapter 42 of the 1979 edition of the UniformBuilding Code as it relates to retarding the spread of fire;

(2) Install automatic sprinklers in the areasused for public assembly for protection from fire as required by regulationsadopted by the State Fire Marshal; or

(3) Apply a flame-retarding solution which hasbeen approved by the authority and will produce an interior finish equal tothat required by subparagraph (1).

2. For the purposes of this section, a building or aportion of a building is used for public assembly if 50 or more personsassemble there for any purpose other than in the normal course of theiremployment.

3. The provisions of this section do not apply to:

(a) Churches and buildings associated with them;

(b) Meeting halls of fraternal organizations;

(c) Gymnasiums which belong to schools or othernonprofit organizations; and

(d) Any other area which:

(1) Is at ground level;

(2) Has no public area more than 100 feet froman outside exit;

(3) Limits occupancy to 50 persons per 1,000square feet or, in the case of an auditorium, has permanent seating capacityfor less than 1,000 persons;

(4) Is not more than two stories in height; and

(5) Contains no areas regularly used forsleeping or living,

if the areacomplies with the requirements set by the authority for interior finishes inall areas and for smoke-detectors and domestic fire sprinklers in hazardousareas.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1570; A 1983, 1225; 1985, 900)

NRS 477.170 Facilitiesfor landing helicopters on top of buildings. Theowner or operator of a building shall not construct a facility for or permithelicopters to land on top of the building unless the authority approves thislanding. The authority shall base its decision upon the physical constructionof the remainder of the building and the relative risks to human safety frompermitting or denying the landing of helicopters.

(Added to NRS by 1981, 1570)

PENALTIES

NRS 477.250 Violationof chapter; each day of violation constitutes separate offense.

1. Any person who knowingly violates the provisions ofthis chapter or any of the regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal isguilty of a misdemeanor.

2. Each day on which a violation occurs is a separateoffense.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 153; A 1979, 127)(Substitutedin revision for NRS 477.060)

 

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