South Carolina § 45-4-60 - Fire safety provisions; compliance with codes; equipment and exits.

§ 45-4-60. Fire safety provisions; compliance with codes; equipment and exits.

(A)(1) A bed and breakfast must provide a safe and secure environment for guests, visitors, and staff.

(2) The use of a portable, supplemental heater may not be substituted for a permanent heating source.

(B)(1) A new bed and breakfast must comply with provisions of fire safety and fire prevention statutes, regulations, codes, and ordinances enacted or promulgated by the State or a political subdivision for application to private residences or single-family dwellings.

(2) A new bed and breakfast must adopt a controlled cooking plan or install a commercial hood with a fire suppression system.

(3) A bed and breakfast which is damaged or renovated in an amount exceeding fifty percent of the appraised value of the building is considered a new building for purposes of this chapter.

(C) An existing bed and breakfast must comply with the following provisions:

(1) Guestrooms that are used for sleeping purposes must be provided with smoke detectors. Smoke detectors must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and may be battery-operated or hard wired in existing buildings.

(2) Not more than 15 guests may be housed on any floor of an existing bed and breakfast. Occupancy in excess of this number requires a one-hour safety corridor and a second exit. Windows are not exits. All guest sleeping rooms must have at least one operable window.

(3) In an existing bed and breakfast, one exit is allowed from an occupied roof, if the area is less than five hundred square feet and is not higher than immediately above the second floor. Rooms within a bed and breakfast may exit through more than one intervening room. Windows are not exits.

(4) Corridors and exit balconies in an existing bed and breakfast may be as narrow as thirty-six inches. A guestroom located not higher than the second floor above ground level does not require an enclosed stairway.

(5) An existing bed and breakfast must provide illuminated hallways and stairs, with an emergency power source in the event of power failure to the building.

(6) At least one fire extinguisher with a 2A:10BC rating or higher must be provided on each floor of an existing bed and breakfast. A 40BC rated fire extinguisher must be provided in the kitchen area.

(7) An existing bed and breakfast is exempt from the requirements of a commercial hood and extinguishing system.

HISTORY: 1998 Act No. 300, SECTION 1, eff May 27, 1998.