Minimum Standards

Exits, Smoke Detectors, Security, Heating, & Lighting

Division Of Student Affairs; Western Michigan University

EXITS

Exits should be 3' by 6'8".

All dwelling units on floors one through four should have escape windows from the sleeping areas. These windows should be at least 20" wide and 24" high with a total area of at least 5.7 square feet.

STAIRS

Stairs should have a handrail on both sides unless it is a one dwelling unit with at least one wall closed. (This is when there are at least 4 steps.)

SMOKE DETECTORS

All dwelling units should have smoke detectors.

All buildings with 3 or more stories which have 15 or more dwelling units should also have a fire alarm system.

SECURITY

Doors to a common hallway or the exterior should have a door viewer if there is no other way to see through or by the door.

Doors from a dwelling unit to a common hallway or to the exterior should be equipped with a dead bolt operable from the inside with a turn knob and a key on the outside. Dwellings with five or more units should also have an automatic closer.

Exit doors that swing out should have hinges with hinge pins that cannot be removed or should have special jamb pins that prevent the pins from being removed when the door is closed.

Sliding patio doors should have blocking bars or track locks to supplement the standard jamb latch.

Every exterior door should have an outside light source.

Operable sashes on the first three floors of a building should have locks for the windows. (This also applies to windows that could be reached from a fire escape or other projection.)

Basement windows over 8" by 12" should have locks or be permanently secured.

Padlocks should not be used in any areas occupied by residents.

HEATING FACILITIES

All heating facilities must be properly installed and maintained. All habitable rooms should be able to be heated to at least a 68 degree temperature. Portable heating equipment using a flame or heating equipment using gasoline or kerosene are prohibited.

ELECTRIC OUTLETS

All habitable rooms should have at least two separate floor or wall-type outlets and one ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture. There should also be sufficient outlets to service any electrical devices or appliances located therein. Cords should not be run through doorways or under rugs.

LIGHTING

Halls and stairways should be lighted at all times. If used only for a dwelling, there should be conveniently located light switches which may be turned on when needed.