D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-G704
General.
Insert new Subsection 704.1.2 in the Property Maintenance Code to read as follows:
Fire extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers required by a prior or current Building Code or Fire Code shall be visible, readily accessible and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition. Extinguishers shall be of an approved type. Fire extinguishers shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 10 as referenced in the Fire Code.
Strike Section 704.2 of the International Property Maintenance Code in its entirety and insert new Sections 704.2 and 704.2.1 in the Property Maintenance Code in its place to read as follows:
Smoke alarms. Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Group R-2, R-3, and R-4, and dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies, regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:
Single- or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed in other groups in accordance with the Fire Code.
Insert new Section 704.5 in the International Property Maintenance Code to read as follows:
Fire alarm systems. Fire alarm systems shall be continuously maintained in accordance with applicable NFPA requirements or as otherwise directed by the code official.
Manual fire alarm boxes. All manual fire alarm boxes shall be operational and unobstructed.
Fire alarm signage. Where fire alarm systems are not monitored by a supervising station, an approved permanent sign shall be installed adjacent to each manual fire alarm box that reads: "WHEN ALARM SOUNDS CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT".
Exception: When the manufacturer has permanently provided this information on the manual fire alarm box.
Fire alarm notice. The owner of a building containing four or more dwelling units, rooming units orsleeping units including a building containing four or more residential condominium or cooperative units, shall post in conspicuous places in the common space of the building, and distribute to each tenant or unit owner, a written notice that provides information about fire alarm systems in the building. The notice shall be on a form developed and published by the code official in English and in the languages required under section 4 of the Language Access Act of 2004, effective June 19, 2004 (D.C. Law 15-167; D.C. Official Code § 2-1933 (2012 Repl.). The notice shall include the following information:
For purposes of this section, the owner of a building containing condominium or cooperative units shall be the unit owners' association, the cooperative housing association, or other entity having responsibility for managing the condominium or cooperative on behalf of the unit owners.
Housing Business. Where the owner or operator of a housing business has failed to comply with the smoke alarm provisions of Section 704.2, the tenant is authorized to purchase, install and maintain battery-operated smoke alarm(s) as a temporary safeguard at the owner's expense, subject to the following: (a) the tenant must notify the owner or operator in writing that installation, replacement or repair of a smoke alarm is required by Section 704.2 and request that the owner or operator take appropriate action, and the owner or operator fails to take the requested action within 10 days after such request or such later date as mutually agreed; and (b) the tenant must provide the owner or authorized agent of the owner with access to the dwelling unit to correct any smoke alarm deficiencies which have been reported.
Reasonable costs incurred by the tenant may be deducted from the rent for the dwelling unit pursuant to procedures governing landlord tenant relationships set forth in 14 DCMR. No tenant shall be charged, evicted, or penalized in any fashion for failure to pay the reasonable costs deducted from the rent for the dwelling unit for purchase, installation or maintenance of smoke alarms under this section.
Emergency measures.The failure of an owner or operator of a housing business to comply with Section 704.2 shall be deemed an imminent danger pursuant to Section 109 of the Property Maintenance Code and Section 111.2 of the Fire Code.
Owner responsibility. Except as provided in Section 704.5.4.4, no act or omission by a tenant under this section 704.5.4 shall relieve the owner of responsibility to ensure full and continuing compliance with Section 704.
Tenant responsibility. Except as provided in Section 704.5.4.4, nothing in this Section 704.5.4 shall be construed: (a) to impose a penalty or other liability on a tenant for failure to install or maintain a smoke alarm; or (b) to mean that a tenant who fails to install or maintain a smoke alarm is contributorily negligent.
Disabling of smoke alarms. Tampering with, removing, destroying, disconnecting, or removing the batteries from any installed smoke alarm, except in the course of authorized inspection, maintenance or replacement of the alarm, is prohibited.
Other penalties. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to negate the obligation of the owner or operator to comply with the requirements of Section 704.2, or to preclude the code official from pursuing other penalties and remedies under this code where the owner or operator fails to comply with Section 704.2.
High rise buildings. The owner of a high-rise building shall:
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 12, r. 12-G704