- Laws of Fiji

Last Updated: 17 December 2004

[PHA 11,595] Fire-escapes77

(1) Except where otherwise provided, a fire-escape shall be on the outside of the building, and shall be so designed and constructed that it shall not pass across windows (except in the case of windows provided with self-closing, fire-resisting shutters or metal frame windows filled with wired glass). It shall not over-hang a public place without the permission of the Council, and such permission shall not be given in relation to any road other than a back lane.

(2) A fire-escape shall be of fire-resisting construction.

(3) A fire-escape shall extend from the roof (if flat) or from the top floor (in other cases) to within 12 feet of the ground level.

(4) A fire-escape shall be so constructed and so fixed as to be capable of carrying with absolute safety the largest number of people who may reasonably be expected to be upon the fire-escape at one time.

(5) A fire-escape shall give direct access to a public place, or to a court-yard or open area connecting directly with a public place. It shall be directly accessible from each floor of the building which has not direct communication with the ground and the doors of the building which open to the fire-escape shall (if they are not sliding doors) open outward, and shall lie flat against the wall so as not to obstruct the landings. Any doorway opening to a fire-escape shall be not less than 6 feet 3 inches high and not less than 2 feet 6 inches wide.

(6) A fire-escape shall have full-landings (or quarter-landings where flights of stairs are at right-angles to each other); also protecting hand-rails, and either guard-rails or wire enclosure. Winders shall not be allowed. The lowest landing, if not on the ground level, shall be not less than 15 square feet in area.

(7) The stairs of a fire-escape shall be uniform throughout, with risers not more than 8 inches, and treads not less than 8 inches exclusive of nosings, if any. Each flight of stairs shall contain not less than 2 nor more than 18 risers, shall have a clear width of not less than 2 feet, and shall have clear head-room at every part of not less than 6 feet 6 inches.