Taken from Chapter 20, Article 2.

Article 4.  Fire and Life Safety Evaluation of Existing High Rise  Residential Buildings

Sections:

20-4.1        Definitions.       

20-4.2        Requirement for building fire and life safety evaluations.

20-4.3        Compliance..       

20-4.4        Building fire and life safety evaluation form

Sec. 20-4.1  Definitions.

As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Building code” means the provisions of Chapter 16, ROH 1990.

“Building fire and life safety evaluation” means an assessment of building safety features and fire protection systems providing a minimum level of fire and life safety to occupants and firefighters that is approved by the AHJ and is prescribed by the AHJ for assessing the safety features and fire protection systems of an existing high-rise building.

“Existing high-rise residential building” means the same as “existing highrise residential building” as defined in Section 20-5.1.  (Added by Ord. 21-31)

Sec. 20-4.2  Requirement for building fire and life safety evaluations

Existing high-rise residential buildings not protected throughout by an automatic fire sprinkler system shall receive a building fire and life safety evaluation in accordance with Section 13.3.2.26.2 on a form that is prescribed by the AHJ.  (Added by Ord. 21-31)

Sec. 20-4.3 Compliance.

• A building fire and life safety evaluation code assessment shall be prepared by a licensed design professional or a building’s authorized representative under the supervision of a licensed design professional using the building fire and life safety evaluation prescribed by the AHJ in accordance with Section 13.3.2.26.2; provided that existing high-rise residential buildings that opt to install an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the building shall not be required to undergo a building fire and life safety evaluation for initial compliance. The AHJ may grant an extension per Section 13.3.2.26.2.7 if automatic fire sprinkler systems in common areas are used to achieve compliance.  All buildings that are required to undergo a building fire and life safety evaluation must continue to maintain a passing status on their respective building fire and life safety evaluation.
• The licensed design professional shall submit a copy of the authenticated building fire and life safety evaluation to the AHJ within five business days of its completion.

(Added by Ord. 21-31)

Sec. 20-4.4  Building fire and life safety evaluation form.

The AHJ shall prescribe the building fire and life safety evaluation form for conducting building fire and life safety evaluations.  No changes or modifications shall be made to the building fire and life safety evaluation form that is prescribed by the AHJ according to this article, or the procedures and process of utilizing the building fire and life safety evaluation form in assessing

existing high-rise residential buildings, without the approval of the Council.  The AHJ shall make the building fire and life safety evaluation readily available to the public through all reasonable means, including but not limited to, providing copies through the United States Postal Service or by making electronic copies available for downloading from the AHJ’s website.

(Added by Ord. 21-31)

Article 5.  Requirements for Smoke Detectors in Existing Highrise Residential Buildings

Sections:

20-5.1  Definitions.       

20-5.2 Requirements for smoke detectors.

20-5.3 Public awareness program.

20-5.4 Compliance and penalties.

20-5.5 Rules.       

Sec. 20-5.1  Definitions.

For purposes of this article:

“Building code” means the provisions of Chapter 16, ROH 1990, which are in effect on the date of approval of this article.

“Dwelling unit” means any portion of an existing highrise residential building that contains living facilities, including provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation, as required by the building code, for not more than one family.

“Existing highrise residential building” means any building that has floors used for human occupancy located more than 75 feet above the highest grade, contains dwelling units, and which was erected prior to the date of approval of this article, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

“Smoke detector” means an independent, stand-alone approved device as defined in the building code. 

(Added by Ord. 92-61)

Sec. 20-5.2  Requirements for smoke detectors

• Within one year from June 12, 1992,* every dwelling unit in all existing highrise residential buildings shall be equipped with smoke detectors. The installation of the smoke detectors shall be in conformance with Section 1210(a) of the building code.

• By January 1, 1994, the fire chief shall give written notice to the owner or owners of every dwelling unit in an existing highrise residential building subject to the provisions of this article of the requirements of this article. The notice shall be sent in a form to be returned to the fire department with the return postage prepaid, and shall contain:

(1) The date of the notice;

(2) A description of the requirements of this article;

(3) Space for recipients to indicate whether they are already in compliance with the provisions of this article or that they intend to comply within the next 30 days; and

(4) A statement that the premises shall be subject to inspection by the fire department if the notice is not returned to the fire department within 30 days from the date of notice.

Subsequent notices of compliance shall be mailed periodically and at the discretion of the fire chief.

(Added by Ord. 92-61)

[*Editor’s Note:  “June 12, 1992” is substituted for “the effective date of this ordinance.”]

Sec. 20-5.3 Public awareness program.

The fire chief shall establish a public awareness campaign to familiarize the general public with the requirements of this article.  The fire chief shall conduct the first public awareness campaign upon the effective date of this article and shall emphasize the duty of the public to comply.  Subsequent public awareness campaigns shall be conducted on a regular basis and as etermined by the fire chief.  (Added by Ord. 92-61)

Sec. 20-5.4 Compliance and penalties.

The fire chief is authorized to inspect all dwelling units within existing highrise residential buildings for compliance with the provisions of this article.  Two weeks prior to conducting any inspection, the fire chief shall give written notice of the inspection to the occupants and to the owner or owners of every dwelling unit in an existing highrise residential building.  The fire chief shall enforce compliance with subsection 20-5.2(a) in accordance with the procedures established in the fire code of the City and County of Honolulu, and violators shall be subject to the fines and penalties established therein.  (Added by Ord. 92-61)

Sec. 20-5.5 Rules.

The fire chief is authorized to adopt rules pursuant to HRS Chapter 91 for the implementation, administration and enforcement of this article.  (Added by Ord. 92-61)