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HOUSING REHABILITATION STANDARDS 1 The standards described herein apply to any residential property rehabilitation subsidized by programs sponsored by the City of Lewiston. These are minimum rehabilitation standards which clarify or add to existing requirements of these programs. These other requirements are contained in applicable codes, program guidelines, and the Housing Quality Standards and Cost-Effective Energy Standards of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. I. ELECTRICAL WORK A. Receptacles and Lighting Outlets 1. Bedrooms, kitchens, dining rooms, dens and living rooms shall have at least two receptacles rated at least 15 amps. 2. Kitchens shall have at least one 20-amp receptacle on a separate circuit. 3. 220-volt receptacles shall serve no more than one appliance. 4. Any receptacle or outlet creating a grounding hazard in tub or shower areas shall be eliminated or replaced with a ground fault receptacle in a safe location. NOTE: Items 2 and 3 shall not apply to rooming units where there are no self-contained facilities for cooking. These standards shall apply to rooming houses where there are communal kitchens. B. Switches 1. Wall switches shall be provided for any lighting outlet in a bedroom or in a sink area if the existing switch could potentially create a grounding hazard. C. Entrances 1. Electrical entrances shall have size-locked fuse stats or circuit breakers on all circuits. II. FIRE SAFETY A. Means of Egress All units must have two means of egress as defined in the City Housing Code. If one of these is an interior public hallway and said hallway is undergoing substantial structural repairs, all combustible materials must be replaced or covered with a one-hour fire-rated material. Otherwise, any new materials added to such hallways (including doors) must be approved by the Director of Code Enforcement. ---PAGE BREAK--- HOUSING REHABILITATION STANDARDS 2 If any required egress is located on the exterior of the building or is to be constructed on the exterior of the building, it must meet either of the two standards outlined below: 1. Metal Fire Escape CRITERIA SPECIFICATIONS Minimum width 22" clear between rails Minimum horizontal dimension - any landing or platform 22" Maximum rise 9" Minimum tread, exclusive of nosing 9" Minimum nosing or projection 1" Maximum height between landings 12' Minimum head room 6' 8" Access to escape Door or casement window - 24" x 6' or double hung window - 30" x 36" clear opening Level of access opening Not over 12" above floor; steps if higher Discharge to ground Approved by Director of Code Enforcement Guards and handrails Approved by Director of Code Enforcement 2. Covered Stairway CRITERIA SPECIFICATIONS Minimum width clear of all obstructions 44" (for more than 50 occupants); 36" (for 50 of less occupants) Maximum rise 7 ½" Minimum tread exclusive of nosing 10" Minimum head room 6' 8" Maximum height between landings 12' Minimum dimension of landing in direction of travel 44" ---PAGE BREAK--- HOUSING REHABILITATION STANDARDS 3 Guards and handrails Approved by Director of Code Enforcement Stairway cover Continuous coverage in manner approved by the Director of Code Enforcement B. Smoke Detectors 1. Buildings with three or less stories a. Open Stairwell (with or without wall partitions). One smoke detector shall be installed at the highest ceiling within the stairwell. b. Stairwells separated from hallways by door. One smoke detector at the highest ceiling within the stairwell and one smoke detector on each level (story) on the highest ceiling point in the hallway. Where an enclosed hallway is separated by a firewall, a smoke detector shall be required on each side of the separation at the highest ceiling point. c. One smoke detector in each cellar/basement stairway. d. One owner-installed smoke detector in each dwelling unit. NOTE: Item d. shall not apply to rooming units. 2. Buildings with four or more stories a. Open Stairwell (with or without wall partitions). One smoke detector shall be installed on the fourth level (story) within the stairwell and every level thereafter. Placement of the smoke detectors shall be at the highest ceiling on each required level. b. Stairwells separated from hallways by door. One smoke detector at the highest ceiling within the stairwell and one smoke detector on each level (story) or the highest ceiling point in the hallway. Where an enclosed hallway is separated by a firewall, a smoke detector shall be required on each side of the separation at the highest ceiling point. c. One smoke detector in each cellar/basement stairway. d. One owner-installed smoke detector in each dwelling unit. III. PLUMBING A. Cross Connections ---PAGE BREAK--- HOUSING REHABILITATION STANDARDS 4 All cross connections shall be eliminated. B. Roof Drains Roof drains shall be separated from the building drain when the value of rehabilitation work exceeds fifty percent (50 ) prior to rehabilitation and when one of the following conditions exists: 1. A separate storm sewer exists in the street. In this case, the roof drain must be connected to the storm sewer. 2. A separate storm sewer is, in the judgement of the Director of Code Enforcement, likely to be installed within five years. In this case, the roof drain shall be connected to the building sewer outside the foundation and provided with a proper trap. IV. HEATING A. Electric Heat Conversion to electric resistance heat of any type shall not be permitted, unless a certified energy assessment has been completed and a retrofit program designed to the satisfaction of the Director of Code Enforcement. Addition of resistance electric heat, as an incidental heat source serving less than twenty percent (20) floor area in any dwelling unit, shall be permitted where extension of the existing system is infeasible.