Fire Safety Learning Center

Emergency lighting is comprised of lights, illuminated exit signs and combination units providing an exit sign and a lighting system. These lighting systems are designed to provide residents with illumination in the case of emergency, such as a power outage. Due to this, these systems utilize a battery, which must be fully tested on an annual basis. The technician must run the lights, from the battery, for a period of at least 90 minutes. Upon completion of the test, a maintenance label is adhered to the side of the unit to record the date of the successful test.

The laws related to emergency lighting units in Chicago are found in a mixture of regulations, as follows: NFPA 101, Chapter 7. OSHA 1910.37(b) 1 and 2. Municipal Code of Chicago - Ch 13-160 The Chicago Municipal Code is available online here: http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/chicago_il/.

These rules apply to ABC dry chemical extinguishers only. NFPA 10 defines the maintenance procedures required for portable fire extinguishers. All multi-purpose ABC extinguishers must have maintenance performed on an annual basis. After performing these steps, the technician will apply a new colored tag (Including his or her license information) to the extinguisher to clearly specify that maintenance has been performed. Every six years the fire extinguisher must be completely torn down (taken apart), recharged and rebuilt. During this process, key parts within the extinguisher are replaced. A special maintenance sticker is added to the extinguisher cylinder to record the date...

Unless your Association is both under three stories in height and has a total floor area of less than 3,000 square feet, your building must have portable fire extinguishers. (Very few condo buildings will have a total area of less than 3,000 square feet) For most condo buildings, determining the number and type of fire extinguishers required to protect the common areas is fairly simple. Typically, you will need one, multi-purpose (ABC) dry chemical fire extinguisher on each floor of the building. The extinguisher would normally be installed in the hallway where it can be easily accessed by residents. NFPA 10...

The requirements for fire extinguishers are detailed in sections 15-16-620 through 15-16-700. The code refers to NFPA 10 for specific governance. NFPA 10 is a set of standards related to fire extinguishers, published by the National Fire Protection Association, and is generally used as the "rule book" for fire extinguishers in the United States. The Chicago Municipal Code is available online here: http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/chicago_il/.