07
LC 38 0261
House
Bill 290
By:
Representatives Heckstall of the
62nd,
Holmes of the
61st,
Morgan of the
39th,
Sims of the
151st,
Brooks of the
63rd,
and others
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 3 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to fire escapes, so as to provide for certain safety
requirements for buildings over 15 feet in height; to provide for inspections;
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Part
3 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to fire escapes, is amended by adding a new Code section to
read as follows:
"8-2-50.1
(a)
For the purposes of this Code section, 'dwelling' shall mean any single or
multiple family dwelling over 15 feet in height.
(b)
All multiple story dwellings over 15 feet in height are required to provide a
means of egress in the form of permanent emergency escape ladders at the time of
construction. Where the story of the dwelling contains one or more bedrooms or
sleeping rooms, a permanent emergency escape ladder is required in each bedroom
or sleeping room. The permanent emergency ladder shall meet standards set out
in the state minimum standard codes and shall be installed in accordance with
the manufacturer´s installation instructions."
SECTION
2.
Said
part is further amended by revising Code Section 8-2-51, relating to the
inspection of buildings, as follows:
"8-2-51.
(a)
The governing authority of the city where any building covered by Code Section
8-2-50 or Code
Section 8-2-50.1 is situated, or the judge
of the probate court of the county if the building is situated outside of any
city, shall require the fire marshal or chief officer of the fire department or,
if there is no fire marshal or chief firefighter, some other suitable official
to inspect such buildings at least once a year and report in writing to the
municipal authorities or the judge of the probate court that the requirements of
Code Section 8-2-50
and Code
Section 8-2-50.1 have or have not been
complied with.
(b)
If the requirements of Code Section 8-2-50
or Code
Section 8-2-50.1 have not been complied
with, the municipal authorities or the judge of the probate court, as the case
may be, shall convey to the owner of such building written notice requiring him
to provide needed alterations or additions."
SECTION
3.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.