Indiana § 22-11-17-2 - Obstruction of exits; special egress control device; inoperative fire alarms; unplanned fire alarm activation

§ 22-11-17-2. Obstruction of exits; special egress control device; inoperative fire alarms; unplanned fire alarm activation

Note: This version of section effective until 7-1-2027. See also following version of this section, effective 7-1-2027.

Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) and section 2.5 of this chapter, an owner of a public building shall not permit an exit to be locked or obstructed in any manner that denies the public a continuous and unobstructed means of egress while lawfully occupied by anyone who is not an officer or an employee.

(b) The commission may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that:

(1) allow the owner of a public building to equip an exit with a special egress control device;

(2) limit the circumstances under which a special egress control device may be used; and

(3) allow an exit that was in compliance with the rules of the commission when the exit was constructed to be equipped with a special egress control device.

(c) An owner of a public building shall not permit a fire alarm to be disconnected or otherwise rendered inoperative, except in cases of routine maintenance or for repair.

(d) A school that has one (1) or more employees shall develop a plan to address unplanned fire alarm activation as part of its emergency operations plan.

(e) A school's emergency operations plan for unplanned fire alarm activation shall include procedures for the following:

(1) Evacuation of the building when the fire alarm is heard. A school with a fire alarm panel that allows for a positive fire alarm sequence may:

(A) develop a plan to investigate an unplanned fire alarm activation before activating the audible and visual alarms requiring evacuation;

(B) designate school officials to acknowledge that an alarm has been activated and initiate an investigation within fifteen (15) seconds;

(C) secure-in-place for up to three (3) minutes in order for a designated school official to determine, by investigation, if an active shooter is on the property; and

(D) following the three (3) minute period under clause (C), the school must evacuate, unless an active shooter has been verified to be on the school's property.

(2) Compliance with all provisions of 675 IAC 28-1-28.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.140, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.169-1996, SEC.2; P.L.211-2018(ss), SEC.14; P.L.187-2021, SEC.66.

IC 22-11-17-2Obstruction of exits; special egress control device; inoperative fire alarms; unplanned fire alarm activation Note: This version of section effective 7-1-2027. See also preceding version of this section, effective until 7-1-2027.

Sec. 2. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (d) and section 2.5 of this chapter, an owner of a public building shall not permit an exit to be locked or obstructed in any manner that denies the public a continuous and unobstructed means of egress while lawfully occupied by anyone who is not an officer or an employee.

(b) The department may adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 that:

(1) allow the owner of a public building to equip an exit with a special egress control device;

(2) limit the circumstances under which a special egress control device may be used; and

(3) allow an exit that was in compliance with the rules of the department when the exit was constructed to be equipped with a special egress control device.

(c) An owner of a public building shall not permit a fire alarm to be disconnected or otherwise rendered inoperative, except in cases of routine maintenance or for repair.

(d) A school that has one (1) or more employees shall develop a plan to address unplanned fire alarm activation as part of its emergency operations plan.

(e) A school's emergency operations plan for unplanned fire alarm activation shall include procedures for the following:

(1) Evacuation of the building when the fire alarm is heard. A school with a fire alarm panel that allows for a positive fire alarm sequence may:

(A) develop a plan to investigate an unplanned fire alarm activation before activating the audible and visual alarms requiring evacuation;

(B) designate school officials to acknowledge that an alarm has been activated and initiate an investigation within fifteen (15) seconds;

(C) secure-in-place for up to three (3) minutes in order for a designated school official to determine, by investigation, if an active shooter is on the property; and

(D) following the three (3) minute period under clause (C), the school must evacuate, unless an active shooter has been verified to be on the school's property.

(2) Compliance with all provisions of 675 IAC 28-1-28.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.140, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.169-1996, SEC.2; P.L.211-2018(ss), SEC.14; P.L.187-2021, SEC.66; P.L.152-2026, SEC.354.