(425 ILCS 15/0.01)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 0.01)

Sec. 0.01.

Short title.

This Act may be cited as the

Fire Escape Act.

(Source: P.A. 86‑1324.)

(425 ILCS 15/1)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 1)

Sec. 1.

That within six (6) months after the passage of this Act, all buildings in this State which are four or more stories in height, excepting such as are used for private residences exclusively, but including flats and apartment buildings, shall be provided with one or more metallic ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes attached to the outer walls thereof and extending from, or suitably near the ground, to the uppermost story thereof, and provided with platforms of such forms and dimensions, and in such proximity to one or more hinged windows or doors of each story above the first, as to render access to such ladder or stairs from each such story easy and safe: Provided, however, that all buildings more than two stories in height, used for manufacturing purposes or for hotels, dormitories, schools, seminaries, hospitals or asylums, shall have at least one such fire escape for every fifty (50) persons for which working, sleeping or living accommodations are provided above the second stories of said buildings; and that all public halls, which provide seating room above the first or ground story, shall be provided with such numbers of said ladder or stair or other approved fire escapes as the officers herein named may direct.

(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)

(425 ILCS 15/2)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 2)

Sec. 2.

All buildings of the number of stories and used for the purposes set forth in section one (1) of this Act, which shall be hereafter erected within this State, shall upon or before their completion each be provided with fire escapes of the kind and number, and in the manner set forth in said section one (1) of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)

(425 ILCS 15/3)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 3)

Sec. 3.

The notice to provide fire escapes shall be in writing and shall be served on the owner, trustees, lessee or occupant of any building not provided with fire escapes in accordance with the provisions of this Act, commanding such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant, or either of them, to place or cause to be placed upon such building or buildings, such fire escape or escapes, within thirty (30) days after the service of such notice.

(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)

(425 ILCS 15/4)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 4)

Sec. 4.

Any such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant, or either of them, so served with notice as aforesaid, who shall not within thirty (30) days after the service of such notice, upon him or them, place or cause to be placed such fire escape or escapes upon such buildings as required by this Act and the terms of such notice, shall be guilty of a petty offense, and shall be guilty of an additional petty offense for each additional week of neglect to comply with such notice.

(Source: P. A. 77‑2444.)

(425 ILCS 15/5)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 5)

Sec. 5.

All the money or moneys collected as fines under and by virtue of this Act, shall be paid into or placed to the credit of the common school fund of the counties in which they are collected.

(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)

(425 ILCS 15/6)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 6)

Sec. 6.

Any person may at any time make complaint in writing to the authorities whose duty it is hereunder to enforce this law, that such escape or escapes are needed or are unsafe or insufficient, and it shall be the duty of such authorities to inspect such building or buildings, and escape or escapes, and cause notice to be served on the owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant, as provided in section three (3) of this Act, and such owner or owners, trustees, lessee or occupant shall immediately take steps to overcome the cause of complaint.

(Source: Laws 1919, p. 570.)

(425 ILCS 15/7)

(from Ch. 55 1/2, par. 7)

Sec. 7.

The State Fire Marshal shall have power to enforce this Act and to require by written notice, either upon complaint by any person or without complaint, any owner or owners, trustees, lessees or occupant of buildings to place fire escapes upon same within 30 days, in accordance with this Act. This Act shall not apply to cities, villages and towns within the State of Illinois that have passed and adopted or may by their proper legislative authority pass or adopt ordinances, by‑laws or resolutions governing the kind, number, location, material and construction of fire escapes to be required on buildings within the corporate limits of such cities, villages and towns.

(Source: P.A. 84‑25.)