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CHAPTER 4 <br />LIGHT, VENTILATION AND <br />OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS <br />SECTION 401 <br />GENERAL <br />401.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter shall govern the <br />minimum conditions and standards for fight, ventilation and <br />space for occupying a structure. <br />401.2 Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide <br />and maintain light, ventilation and space conditions in compli- <br />ance with these requirements. A person shall not occupy as <br />owner - occupant, or permit another person to occupy, any pre- <br />mises that do not comply with the requirements of this chapter. <br />401.3 Alternative devices. In lieu of the means for natural <br />light and ventilation herein prescribed, artificial light or <br />mechanical ventilation complying with the International <br />Building Code shall be permitted. <br />SECTION 402 <br />LIGHT <br />402.1 Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at <br />least one window of approved size facing directly to the out- <br />doors or to a court. The minimum total glazed area for every <br />habitable space shall be 8 percent of the floor area of such <br />room. Wherever walls or other portions of a structure face a <br />window of any room and such obstructions are located less <br />than 3 feet (914 mm) from the window and extend to a level <br />above that of the ceiling of the room, such window shall not be <br />deemed to face directly to the outdoors nor to a court and shall <br />not be included as contributing to the required minimum total <br />window area for the room. <br />Exception: Where natural light for rooms or spaces without <br />exterior glazing areas is provided through an adjoining <br />room, the unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall <br />be at least 8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or <br />space, but not less than 25 square feet (2.33 m2). The exte- <br />rior glazing area shall be based on the total floor area being <br />served. <br />402.2 Common halls and stairways. Every common hall and <br />stairway in residential occupancies, other than in one- and two- <br />family dwellings, shall be lighted at all times with at least a 60- <br />watt standard incandescent light bulb for each 200 square feet <br />(19 m2) of floor area or equivalent illumination, provided that <br />the spacing between lights shall not be greater than 30 feet <br />(9144 mm). In other than residential occupancies, means of <br />egress, including exterior means of egress, stairways shall be <br />illuminated at all times the building space served by the means <br />of egress is occupied with a minimum of 1 footcandle (11 lux) <br />at floors, landings and treads. <br />402.3 Other spaces. All other spaces shall be provided with <br />natural or artificial light sufficient to permit the maintenance of <br />sanitary conditions, and the safe occupancy of the space and <br />utilization of the appliances, equipment and fixtures. <br />SECTION 403 <br />VENTILATION <br />403.1 Habitable spaces. Every habitable space shall have at <br />least one openable window. The total openable area of the win- <br />dow in every room shall be equal to at least 45 percent of the <br />minimum glazed area required in Section 402.1. <br />Exception: Where rooms and spaces without openings to <br />the outdoors are ventilated through an adjoining room, the <br />unobstructed opening to the adjoining room shall be at least <br />8 percent of the floor area of the interior room or space, but <br />not less than 25 square feet (2.33 m2). The ventilation open- <br />ings to the outdoors shall be based on a total floor area being <br />ventilated. <br />403.2 Bathrooms and toilet rooms. Every bathroom and toi- <br />let room shall comply with the ventilation requirements for <br />habitable spaces as required by Section 403.1, except that a <br />window shall not be required in such spaces equipped with a <br />mechanical ventilation system. Air exhausted by a mechanical <br />ventilation system from a bathroom or toilet room shall dis- <br />charge to the outdoors and shall not be recirculated. <br />4033 Cooking facilities. Unless approved through the certifi- <br />cate of occupancy, cooking shall not be permitted in any room- <br />ing unit or dormitory unit, and a cooking facility or appliance <br />shall not be permitted to be present in the rooming unit or dor- <br />mitory unit. <br />Exceptions: <br />1. Where specifically approved in writing by the code <br />official. <br />2. Devices such as coffee pots and microwave ovens I <br />shall not be considered cooking appliances. <br />403.4 Process ventilation. Where injurious, toxic, irritating or <br />noxious fumes, gases, dusts or mists are generated, a local <br />exhaust ventilation system shall be provided to remove the con- <br />taminating agent at the source. Air shall be exhausted to the <br />exterior and not be recirculated to any space. <br />403.5 Clothes dryer exhaust. Clothes dryer exhaust systems <br />shall be independent of all other systems and shall be exhausted <br />in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. <br />SECTION 404 <br />OCCUPANCY LIMITATIONS <br />404.1 Privacy. Dwelling units, hotel units, housekeeping units, <br />rooming units and dormitory units shall be arranged to provide <br />privacy and be separate from other adjoining spaces. <br />404.2 Minimum room widths. A habitable room, other than a <br />kitchen, shall not be less than 7 feet (2134 mm) in any plan <br />dimension. Kitchens shall have a clear passageway of not less <br />2006 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE* 13 <br />