Wisconsin Administrative Code

SPS 375.34 Chimneys. (1) No chimney shall rest upon a flooring of wood, nor shall any wood or other combustible material be built into or left in contact with any chimney. (2) All chimneys which are defective by reason of settling, cracking, disintegrating of mortar, or from any …

SPS 375.35 Gas and oil lamps; gas service. (1) Gas and oil lamps shall not be used where electricity is available. (2) Gas and oil lamps shall be placed at least 6 feet above the floor level, at least 6 inches from any combustible partition or wall, and at least 2 feet (measured …

SPS 375.36 Electrical work. (1) All new electrical work shall conform to the Wisconsin state electrical code of the department. (2) All electrical wiring and installation which by reason of insufficient supports, defective insulation, contact with combustible materials, or with c…

SPS 375.37 Combustible drapes, decorations. (1) No drapes, curtains or decorations (except within a private apartment or a hotel guest room) of paper, cotton, cloth or any other combustible material shall be used in any building covered by this code unless effectively flameproofe…

SPS 376.001 Scope. Under this classification are included all factories and workshops (including all places where manual labor is employed), office buildings, telegraph and telephone offices, mercantile establishments where commodities are bought or sold, taverns, warehouses, rai…

SPS 376.01 Exits. (1) MINIMUM NUMBER. Every building and every story thereof in this classification shall have at least 2 exits. In large buildings, or where a large number of persons are employed, or where there is an especially hazardous condition, additional exits shall be pro…

SPS 376.02 Fire escapes. Fire escapes shall be stairway fire escapes as described in ss. SPS 375.13 to 375.23. On buildings which accommodate more than 50 persons above the second story, such fire escape shall be a XBY type fire escape. Existing stairway fire escapes will be acce…

SPS 376.03 Stairways. (1) Every stairway in buildings more than 3 stories in height shall be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors. (ss. SPS 375.08, 375.09) (1m) Monumental stairs leading from the street floor to the second floor …

SPS 376.04 Total width of stairways. (1) In a building not provided with horizontal exits, the total width of stairways (if enclosed) and stairway fire escapes shall not be less than the following: (2) In ordinary or frame buildings: Sprinklered 40 in. per 100 persons Not Sprinkl…

SPS 376.05 Capacity of buildings. (1) In calculating the aggregate width of exits, the capacity of buildings shall be established as follows: (2) In wholesale mercantile establishments and warehouses, by the maximum number of persons employed therein plus an equal number of custo…

SPS 376.06 Exit doors. (1) Every door which serves as the exit from a stairway shall be not more than 20 feet distant from the stairway unless the passageway from the stairway to the door is enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive partitions and fire-resistive doors (…

SPS 376.07 Passageways. Every public passageway or aisle leading to or from a stairway, fire escape, or exit door shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times. Where loose chairs or seats would be liable to cause confusion or obstruction, such chairs or seats must be fastene…

SPS 376.08 Lighting. (1) All passageways and stairways shall have lights at the head and foot of each flight of stairs, and at the intersections of all corridors and passageways. Where fire escapes are required, such fire escapes shall be lighted whenever the stairways are requir…

SPS 376.09 Standpipes and extinguishers. (1) For exterior standpipes, see s. SPS 375.22. (2) First aid standpipes (s. SPS 375.26) or fire extinguishers (s. SPS 375.27), in such number as may be required by the department, or by the local fire department shall be provided in all b…

SPS 376.10 Automatic sprinklers. (1) A complete automatic sprinkler system (s. SPS 375.28) shall be provided in every building of this classification (except office buildings not used for mercantile purposes) where more than 50 persons are employed or accommodated above the third…

SPS 376.11 Fire alarm. A fire alarm system complying with s. SPS 375.29 shall be provided in every factory or workshop where more than 10 persons are employed above the second story, except buildings which are provided with a complete automatic sprinkler system, and except fire-r…

SPS 376.12 Floor loads. (1) Floors shall not be loaded beyond the safe load which corresponds to the unit stresses specified in ss. Ind 53.07, 53.22, 53.24, and 53.28, 1956. (2) In every factory, workshop, warehouse, or other building where material is piled, notices of a permane…

SPS 376.13 Heating plants. (1) Any new installation or replacement of a heating boiler, furnace or power boiler together with the breeching and fuel room in buildings of this classification shall be enclosed in a separate room having a 2-hour fire-resistive floor. The walls and c…

SPS 377.001 Scope, theaters. Under this classification are included all buildings or parts of buildings used for theatrical, operatic, or motion picture performances. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.01 Assembly halls. Under this classification are included all buildings or parts of buildings not included under theaters, where more than 100 persons assemble for entertainment, recreation, instruction, worship or dining purposes. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, Septe…

SPS 377.02 Capacity. (1) The capacity of a theater or assembly hall shall be established by the actual number of permanently fixed seats. Where permanently fixed seats are not provided, the capacity shall be established by allowing 10 square feet of floor space per person in area…

SPS 377.03 Exits. (1) NUMBER. Every theater or assembly hall shall have 2 or more exits, places as far apart as practicable, and so located that if any exit is blocked, some other exit will still be accessible from every part of the theater or assembly hall. This order shall appl…

SPS 377.04 Fire escapes. Fire escapes hereafter constructed shall be stairway fire escapes as described in ss. SPS 375.13 to 375.23. If the theater or assembly hall accommodates more than 125 persons, such fire escape shall be a XBY type fire escape. Existing stairway fire escape…

SPS 377.05 Stairways. (1) Inside stairways at a steeper angle than 45º with the horizontal are not accepted as exits. No stairway will be accepted as an exit if it is necessary to go up stairs in order to reach the head of the stairway. (2) Outside stairways heretofore constructe…

SPS 377.06 Exit doors. (1) Exit doors shall be as required by s. SPS 375.24, but no rolling, sliding or revolving door shall be used as an exit from any theater or assembly hall. (2) For exit lights and signs, see ss. SPS 377.14, 377.15. History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register,…

SPS 377.07 Width of exits. (1) The total width of exits from every theater and assembly hall, and from every part thereof, shall not be less than the following: the chapter was last published. SPS 377.07 WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (a) Buildings of fire-resistive construction, …

SPS 377.08 Seats. (1) Where fixed seats are not used, the chairs or seats shall be fastened together in groups of 4 or more. There shall be not more than 12 seats in a row between aisles, nor more than 6 seats in a row which has an aisle on one side only. (2) All seats, chairs an…

SPS 377.09 Aisles. No wall aisle shall be less than 3 feet wide and no other straight aisle shall be less than 3 feet 6 inches wide except that where fixed seats were originally installed, the above dimensions may be reduced 6 inches. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September,…

SPS 377.10 Obstructions. (1) All lobbies, aisles, passageways and doorways shall be kept free from furniture, drapes, display equipment, merchandise and other obstructions, and no person except an employee shall be allowed to stand in or occupy any of the aisles, foyers or passag…

SPS 377.11 Proscenium curtain. (1) In every theater or assembly hall having a stage which is more than 6 feet higher or wider than the proscenium opening, the proscenium opening shall be provided with a rigid metal curtain or a curtain of asbestos conforming to the following spec…

SPS 377.12 Automatic smoke outlet. Where a proscenium curtain is required or provided, the stage shall be provided with one or more automatic smoke outlets, constructed of metal or other incombustible material, placed near the center and above the highest part of the stage, and h…

SPS 377.13 Lights, oil and gas. No oil lamp or gas lighting of any kind shall be used on or about any stage containing scenery. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.14 Exit lights and signs. (1) In every theater and assembly hall, except church auditoriums, exit lights shall be provided immediately over all exit doorways, and in such other places as may be necessary to direct the occupants to exit doorways and to a street, alley or e…

SPS 377.15 Ventilation. In all theaters and assembly halls a heating and ventilating system complying with the requirements of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning code shall be provided, maintained and operated. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 22…

SPS 377.16 Fire extinguishers. (1) Standard fire extinguishers (s. SPS 377.27) shall be provided as follows: (a) Theaters: 1. Two on stage (if more than 1500 square feet of scenery is used). 2. One on stage (if not more than 1500 square feet of scenery is used). 3. One in motion …

SPS 377.17 False openings. No false openings giving the appearance of a door or window, where none exists, shall be permitted in any part of a theater or assembly hall used by the public. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.18 Motion picture machine booths, general. Every motion picture machine using nitro-cellulose film, together with all auxiliary and associated equipment, shall be enclosed in a booth so arranged as to permit the operator to walk freely on either side and in back of the ma…

SPS 377.19 Construction of booth. The floor of each motion picture booth shall be constructed of masonry or reinforced concrete, or shall be covered with not less than 2 inches of fire-resistive material. The walls and ceiling shall be not less than 2-hour fire-resistive construc…

SPS 377.20 Doors. (1) The door to the booth shall be not larger than necessary for the safe and proper use and maintenance of the booth and equipment, but in no case shall its dimensions be smaller than 2 feet by 5 feet or larger than 3 feet by 7 feet. The top of the door shall b…

SPS 377.21 Openings. (1) Two openings for each motion picture machine may be provided. The one for the operator[s view shall not be larger than 200 square inches and the one for projection not larger than 120 square inches. Where separate stereopticon, spot, or floodlight machine…

SPS 377.22 Ventilation of booths. Every booth or room housing projection, sound or any other equipment which vitiates good air conditions or requires the attention of an attendant shall be ventilated as required by ch. Ind 64 issued by the department. Fresh air intakes in booth w…

SPS 377.23 Relief outlets. Every booth or room housing projection, sound or other equipment which constitutes a fire, smoke, explosion or fuming hazard shall be equipped with one or more gravity outlets extending upward from the ceiling through the roof. The net area of such grav…

SPS 377.24 Electrical wiring. All lights and electrical wiring, also motors, arc lamps, rheostats, and associated electrical equipment shall conform in type and arrangement to the requirements of the Wisconsin state electrical code. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1…

SPS 377.25 Motion picture machine. Every projection machine shall be securely fastened to the floor, and together with sound head and other associated equipment, shall be of safe design. No part of the film shall be outside of a tight metal enclosure during projection, and the fe…

SPS 377.26 Fire protection in booth; care and use of film. (1) All shelves, furniture and fixtures shall be incombustible. No combustible material shall be permitted to be within such booth, except films and film cement not exceeding one pint. Smoking is prohibited. Heating equip…

SPS 377.27 Portable booths. (1) Every portable booth used to confine the fire hazards of a motion picture machine shall be of approved design conforming to the requirements for permanent booths. (2) Every booth used for more than 3 consecutive performances in one location will be…

SPS 377.28 Strength of floors. (1) No building or part thereof shall be used as a theater or public assembly hall unless the floors of the auditorium, balconies, galleries, lobbies, passageways and stairways are capable of sustaining the following live loads (pounds per square fo…

SPS 377.29 Maintenance. All theaters and assembly halls and all parts thereof shall be kept clean, sanitary and in good repair. History: 1-2-56; renum., Register, September, 1974, No. 225, eff. 10-1-74.

SPS 377.30 Toilet rooms. Toilet facilities shall be provided in connection with theaters and assembly halls, where, in the judgment of the department, they are necessary. All toilet rooms shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. History: 1-2-56; renum. and am., Register, Sept…

SPS 377.31 Heating plants. Every boiler or furnace room including the breeching and fuel room shall be provided with a 2-hour fire-resistive floor and shall be enclosed with not less than one-hour fire-resistive walls and ceiling. All openings shall be protected with fire-resisti…