On behalf of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville VA Medical Center, Network Contracting Office (NCO) 9 is issuing this Sources Sought Notice as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for a firm-fixed priced contract for lodging services-Nashville TN area. The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 721110. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals or quotes; submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary; and the government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred. If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these services, please provide the following information: a. Organization name, address, point of contact, email address, Web site address, and telephone number. b. Business size: small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, Hub Zone, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, large business, etc. c. Business type under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 721110, which contains a size standard of $32.5 Million, CAGE Code and DUNS Number. d. Under which NAICS code does your company usually provide the requirements described in the Performance Work Statement or Statement of Work applicable to this procurement - Please provide rationale for your answer if different from NAICS 721110. e. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational, and staff capability. f. Response to this Sources Sought shall not exceed 25 pages and should include all of the foremost mentioned information. In addition, all submissions should be provided electronically in a Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. g. The government will evaluate market information to ascertain potential market capacity to: i. Provide services consistent in scope and scale with those described in this notice and otherwise anticipated. Secure and apply the full range of corporate financial, human capital, and technical resources required to successfully perform similar requirements. ii. Implement a successful plan that includes: compliance with program schedules; cost containment; meeting and tracking performance. iii. Provide services under a firm-fixed price contract. NOTE: Respondent claiming SDVOSB and VOSB status shall be registered and Center for Veterans Enterprise (CVE) verified in VetBiz Registry www.vetbiz.gov. BASED ON THE RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/MARKET RESEARCH, THIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE SET-ASIDE FOR SDVOSB, VOSB, SMALL BUSINESSES OR PROCURED THROUGH FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. Submission Instructions: Interested parties who consider themselves qualified to perform the services are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 8:00am CT, February 3, 2022. All responses under this Sources Sought Notice must be emailed to ramona.bonness@va.gov. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. SAM: Interested parties shall be register in the System for Award Management (SAM) as prescribed in FAR Clause 52.232-33. SAM information can be obtained by accessing the internet at www.sam.gov or by calling 1-866-606-8220. Disclaimer and Important Notes. This notice does not obligate the government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the government to determine the organization s qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Contract Opportunities. However, responses to this notice shall not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation. Please review the SOW below before preparing your response. Thank you! STATEMENT OF WORK Veterans Administration (VA) Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Veteran Patient Care Lodging Rooms 1.0 INTRODUCTION The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) requires the use of forty-two (42) furnished hotel rooms per week. The rooms offered shall be reasonably located within 50 miles of the VA Medical Center, 1310 24th Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37212. SCOPE The contractor shall provide forty-two (42) fully furnished hotel rooms per week. The following is the daily room estimate Sunday 8 rooms, Monday 8 rooms, Tuesday 8 rooms, Wednesday 8 rooms, Thursday 8 rooms, Friday 1 rooms, Saturday 1 room. The lodging facility must block off this number of rooms per day per week. The fully furnished hotel rooms will include contractor provided utilities and other specified services. The hotel rooms shall comply with all city, county and state building codes and ordinances applicable to the ownership and operation of the building in which the rooms are located. Rooms shall comply with NFPA 101, 29CFR. It is agreed by the contractor that the rooms will be held until 4:00 pm each day. Any of the rooms that are not reserved by the VA by 4:00 pm will be available for the contractor to place back in their inventory for sale and the VA will not be billed for the rooms not used. Contractor shall provide a point of contact with name, phone number, and email address for submission of reservations and for invoice reconciliation. This person will serve as liaison between the VA hospital and the facility and have the authority to secure and provide confirmation numbers for each reserved room. HOTEL REQUIREMENTS All rooms shall be located in a single hotel. Each unit shall be handicap accessible per ADA standards for accessible design (standard), 28 C.F.R. pt. 36, Appendix A. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR) The rooms shall be smoke free. Contractor personnel shall not smoke in the rooms at any time whether or not VA referred occupants are present. Rooms shall be single and double occupancy and handicapped accessible or be ADA compliant 28 C.F.R. pt. 36, Appendix A. Access to rooms shall be from interior hallways that are accessed directly from the front desk/elevator lobby area. There shall be no physical barriers. Rooms shall be in a reasonably quiet or tranquil part of the hotel/motel. The rooms shall be smoke free. Contractor shall supply all utilities including heat, air conditioning, electricity, water and sewer, local telephone service, and basic television cable service. Contractor shall provide on-call transportation for the referred Veteran from the contractor's hotel rooms to the VA Medical Center and/or from the VA Medical Center to the hotel from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days per week. Contractor shall respond within thirty minutes of being contacted by either the referred Veteran , after-hours Administrative Officer of the Day or the VA COR to provide on-call transportation service to include all federal holidays. Federal holidays are identified as the following days: New Year s Day Martin Luther King s Birthday President s Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day In the event a VA referred occupant is in an emergency situation of any kind, the Contractor shall contact 911. In addition, the Contractor shall immediately contact the VA Medical Center COR or the VA Medical Center, Administrative Officer of the Day, 615-873-7172 if the emergency occurs in other than normal business hours. Occupancy: The VA must be able to take occupancy of the rooms no later than 14 calendar days following the award of the contract. The rooms must be in full compliance with all requirements of the contract by that date. Inspection: The VA will inspect the facility prior to contract award to ensure compliance with all contract requirements. The government reserves the right, at any time after the contract is signed and during the term of the contract, to inspect the premises. These inspections can include all other areas of the building access necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the Government tenants. Inspections will also provide the COR with information on the contractor s performance under this contract. A quarterly unannounced inspection will be conducted by the government as a minimum. Base line results of air quality testing must meet the following criteria or better: Acceptable air sample test results are listed below: There shall be no visible signs of mold or moisture There should be no evidence of Aspergillus Fumigatus or Stachbortrys in 150 liters per air sample x minimum of 12-15 random air samples. Room Reservations will be on the following basis: The Contractor shall allow the occupancy of the room covered by this contract only upon the specific individual referral by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Social Worker, or Program Support Clerk. The VA will inform the Contractor of Veterans last name and the expected arrival date at the Contractor's hotel. For this contract, the Contractor shall use its existing check in and check out times. The COR will notify the Contractor when specific individuals will be checking out of the hotel rooms. In the event that a VA referred occupant refuses to leave the room, the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR. Also, in the event that a VA referred occupant checks out of the hotel rooms-without prior notice from the VA, the Contractor shall immediately notify the COR or the VA Medical Center Officer of the Day, (615-873-7172) if the check-out occurs in other than normal business hours. The Contractor shall submit an invoice to the VA via the electronic payment system for all rooms covered by this contract monthly in arrears. The invoice shall be for the actual number of rooms reserved in the previous month. Invoices will be submitted on-line for payment. An itemized invoice will be emailed to the COR for review and prior approval before the invoice is submitted electronically for payment. The COR will review the invoice within three days of receipt and respond to the Contractor with a determination of acceptability. Contract is not tax exempt, contractor is responsible for all taxes DAILY ROOM SERVICE: Daily room service shall be provided on the following basis: If a specific room was previously occupied the night before by the same VA referred occupant, the following daily room service shall be performed. Make up bed(s). Bed linens shall be changed every three (3) calendar days if the room is continuously occupied by the same VA referred occupant. Vacuum all carpeting on a daily basis. Clean the bathroom floor, vanity sink and mirror, commode, and bath/shower unit. Change all used bath linens with laundered bath linens. Empty wastepaper baskets. Replace toilet paper roll when three quarters consumed. Dust furniture. If the previous night's occupant is different from the VA referred occupant for the next night, the bed linens will be changed daily as the room occupant change. GENERAL BUILDING REQUIREMENTS & SPECIFICATIONS Heating and Cooling Requirements: Each room shall have permanently installed, functioning cooling and heating system with thermostatic control. The heating system is required to maintain a temperature of 80 degrees F. The air conditioning system is required to maintain a temperature of 65 degrees F. All cooling and heating devices and appliances, including but not limited to furnaces, fireplaces, electrical baseboard heaters and water heaters, shall be UL (Underwriter s Laboratories) certified and in good and safe working order and shall meet all installation and safety codes. Contractor shall maintain all appliances and utility systems. This shall include the cleaning or replacement of air filters for both the heating system (providing the heating system is a forced hot air heating system) and for the cooling system every 30 calendar days. Electrical and Lighting Requirements: Every room shall be provided with not less than two electrical receptacle outlets and electric light fixtures in accordance with the Furniture and Accessories section of this solicitation. Every toilet room, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room, public hallway, porch and flight of stairs between stories shall contain at least one (1) supplied electric light fixture. Where an interior stairway or public hallway changes in direction, more than one (1) supplied electric light fixture is required. All electrical equipment, wiring and appliances shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, in good and safe working order and shall meet all installation and safety codes. Sanitation Requirements: All plumbing and sanitation fixtures, facilities and equipment must be in safe and sanitary condition, in good working order and meet all federal, state and local building codes. Telephone Service Requirements: Contractor shall provide local area, touch tone, telephone service for each room. The telephone service shall be capable of long-distance telephone service when long distance calls are placed using a telephone calling card or other telephone charge method. Contractor shall provide one telephone in each room. Telephone service shall be equipped with voice messaging system or front desk message service. Interior Space Requirements: Ceilings shall be at least 8 feet and no more than 11 feet clear from floor to the lowest obstruction. Each room shall have acoustical treatment with a flame spread of "5" or less and smoke development rating of 50 of less. Floor load shall be a minimum live load capacity of 60 pounds per square foot. Storage areas shall have a minimum live load capacity of 150 pounds per square foot. Floor shall be covered with vinyl floor covering or carpeting (vinyl asbestos floor tile shall not be used for new installations). Existing floor and/or window covering, or carpet may be accepted providing the floor coverings are in good condition. Fire Safety: The contractor will submit its current written fire safety plan will be submitted as part of the contract bid package. Buildings in which space is offered shall be maintained in accordance with latest editions of the National Fire Codes and Uniform Building Code. List of NFPA Codes and Standards Equipment, services, or utilities furnished, and activities of other occupants shall be free of safety, health, and fire hazards. When hazards are detected, the contractor shall promptly correct the hazards. Maintenance of contractor-owned fire extinguishers shall be provided by the contractor in, accordance with NFPA Standard No: 101. NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® As required by code, smoke detectors/alarms shall be installed in each room, office, storage area, hallways and other common areas. Facility must meet NFPA Life Safety regulations on egress, fire and smoke protective systems applicable to the Occupancy type. NFPA 101®: Life Safety Code® Asbestos- No asbestos containing fireproofing or insulation on building structures, acoustical treatment, molded or wet-applied ceiling or wall finishes/decorations, will be permitted. Wheelchair Accessibility: Common areas such as hallways and laundry room shall provide for accessible path of travel for wheelchairs. Elevators: If elevators are a part of the room complex, they shall conform to the latest requirements of the American National Standard A17.1 and Al7.1a Safety Code for Elevators, ASME A17.1-2019: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators - ANSI Blog except for elevator emergency recall and shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with American National Standard A17.1, Inspector's Manual for Elevators or equivalent local code. The elevators shall also comply with local codes and ordinances. The hotel is to have a written interior moisture prevention and water intrusion event management program that includes aggressive drying using mold remediation industry standard type dehumidifiers, fans and drying methods. This plan and process must be provided to the VA as part of the bid package and put in place within 24 hours of awareness of a water intrusion event occurring. The VA COR will be notified immediately if more than 50 square feet of building surface or carpet is impacted by a water intrusion/leak event. Once notification of water intrusion event, TVHS Inspection team will perform visual inspection within 24 hours. 96 hours later the same TVHS inspection team will reevaluate, ensuring that the clean-up process was completed and that no additional testing is required. KEY COMPONENTS of a written interior moisture prevention and water intrusion event management program to prevent mold from colonizing the interior of a building by eliminating or limiting the conditions that foster mold establishment and growth. The plan should include but not be limited to the following: Immediate visual inspection of occurring water issues. Rapid drying using commercial grade moisture meters, dehumidifiers, and water extraction and drying equipment. Quick and effective response to water intrusion to prevent or greatly reduce fungal growth and occupant exposure to mold and other bio aerosols. Must be dry by approximately 15% moisture within 48 hours of the leak event to satisfactorily prevent colonizing mold growth. Recognize, examine and dry the hidden places (below carpet pad, wall interiors etc.) where moisture and mold can occur. Fix leaks to plumbing or building envelope as soon as possible taking emergency steps to temporarily slow or stop water intrusion. Prevent moisture condensation by lowering the relative humidity in the inside air or by increasing surface temperatures where condensation is occurring. Avoid as much as possible covering walls with vinyl wall covering especially on cold temperature impacted walls. Vent moisture generating equipment such as in laundry or kitchen areas outside. Maintain indoor humidity below 60% (30%-50% is ideal). Ensure foundations/basements or crawl spaces are maintained in a dry condition. The VA reserves the right at its expense to periodically sample for elevated levels of airborne hydrophilic mold looking especially for molds associated with known or suspected water intrusion events. The VA reserves the right to do a visual assessment of environmental and safety conditions at the contract facility on a quarterly basis or at the time of a reported water intrusion event or other safety event impacting VA patients. Elevated numbers of indoor hydrophilic mold associated with water intrusion events (equal to or greater than what is found outside) from the water intrusion event area and/or in chosen non-water intrusion event rooms would be grounds for further patient protective action. Acceptable levels defined in Para 3.8.0. Once awarded the contractor is to perform baseline testing to demonstrate that the facility does not have a history of water intrusion events. The hotel should contract with a Certified Industrial Hygienist with mold sampling experience, to assess the levels and species of mold contamination present. Elevated numbers of hydrophilic mold (equal to or greater than what is found outside) from a minimum of 10 randomly chosen rooms would indicate that IAQ levels may not be satisfactory to properly protect occupants and that a history of water intrusion may have occurred. In the event of a catastrophic water event, facility or COR will coordinate with Contractor to move patients to clinically acceptable areas within the facility. If the entire building is deemed inhabitable, a new location meeting all the requirements must be provided at the expense of the contractor. The attached inspection form will be used by the VA inspection group to determine if there are any indications of water intrusion events that would necessitate further inspection, air testing and possible patient protection action. (Attachment A) The VA inspection team will use the attached check list (Attachment B) in completing a quarterly fire and safety inspection as a documentation process. Inspection team will include: Contracting Officer Representative (COR) Infectious Control Environment of Care Staff Member Industrial Hygienist Safety Officer Miscellaneous: No activity to the building and/or grounds that would cause an increase in dust, dirt or spores to be airborne (i.e., renovation to the building, movement of earth on the grounds) shall take place without the contractor's written notification to the VA at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the event. If the building is partially or totally destroyed or damaged by fire or other casualty so that the space is not tenantable as determined by the Government, the government may terminate the contract for convenience as per FAR 52.249. The contractor shall maintain the premises, including the building and all equipment, fixtures, and appurtenances furnished by the contractor under this contract, in good repair and tenantable condition. The contractor will ensure that the facility is free of bugs and pests. The contractor will provide a copy of their integrated pest management plan as part of the solicitation package. DELIVERABLES FURNITURE AND ACCESSORIES: Each room shall comply with the following general room requirements: Floor covering: All type of floor coverings shall be clean; free of stains; odor-free; and free of cracks or tears. Shag style carpets used as floor covering shall be 1/2" or less in length. Each room shall have lighting fixtures. All overhead lights shall be controlled by wall switches. All light bulbs shall have either a shade or globe with the exception of decorator type bulbs. All windows shall be able to be secured in a closed position. The windows shall be effectively weather-stripped and shall be free of cracks and shall be tightly fitted in the window frame. All windows shall have window treatments consisting of shades, blinds or drapes. The window treatments shall be substantial enough to prevent viewing into the room from outside of the room. In addition, the window treatments shall be capable of substantially darkening the room during daylight hours. Each room s exterior door shall be secured with a snap lock and dead bolt lock. In addition, exterior doors shall have an exterior light, peep hole fitted with 175 degree viewing lens. Each room's bathroom shall have the following: combination tub/shower with support rails; commode; vanity; mirror above vanity; overhead light; exhaust fan which exhausts to outside air; GFI protected electrical outlets; solid floor covering, ceramic tile, composition vinyl tile, or solid vinyl sheet. General Furniture Package All furniture shall be in good general condition; shall be clean; free of stains and odors; and have no tears or rips in the fabric coverings and shall not be covered by pull on slip covers. Non-upholstered furniture surfaces shall be free of scratches, broken surfaces, splinters, free of stains, and clean. Each room shall have the following furnishings: Table and two chairs each upholstered chair each lamp (1 between 2 beds if industry standard) 1 each color television with remote control each dresser and mirror each double sized or larger beds with headboard 2 each nightstand (1 between 2 beds if industry standard) 1 each clock radio with alarm each double size or larger mattress and box springs per bed Each double size or larger bed shall be supplied with the following bed linens which will be freshly cleaned; free of stains, odors, tears, and in good condition. each standard fiberfill pillows each pillowcases 1 each flat sheet each fitted sheet each thermal blanket 1 each bedspread 1 each quilted mattress pad Bath 1 each skid resistant mat or equivalent for tub 4 each bath towels (25" X 48") 4 each hand towels (18" X 30") 4 each washcloths (12" X 12") 1 each shower liner or curtain if shower doors are not present 1 set of shower hooks if shower liner is not self-hanging 1 each plastic waste basket 7 qt. Capacity 1 each bathroom mat 6.0 EVALUATION: The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered: 6.1 Technical Capability (Accommodations)- The contractor should have the ability to accommodate forty-two (42) fully furnished hotel rooms per week, until 4:00pm each day. The following is the daily room estimate: Sunday 8 rooms, Monday 8 rooms, Tuesday 8 rooms, Wednesday 8 rooms, Thursday 8 rooms, Friday 1 rooms, Saturday 1 room. The lodging facility must block off this number of rooms per day per week. The fully furnished hotel rooms will include contractor provided utilities and other specified services. The hotel rooms shall comply with all city, county and state building codes and ordinances applicable to the ownership and operation of the building in which the rooms are located. 6.2 Technical Capability (Transportation)- Offeror shall provide on-call transportation for the referred Veteran from the contractor's hotel rooms to the VA Medical Center and/or from the VA Medical Center to the hotel from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days per week. Contractor shall respond within thirty minutes of being contacted by either the referred Veteran , after-hours Administrative Officer of the Day or the VA COR to provide on-call transportation service to include all federal holidays. 6.3 Pricing Factor- the offeror with the lowest price that can accommodate the above criteria, can be considered 6.4 Quality Assurance (Past Performance)- Offerors with past performance for successfully meeting the standards of the contract can be considered. 7.0 PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The term of this contract will be for one (1) Base year plus four (4) optional years as follows: Base Year: October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023 Option Year 1: October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024 Option Year 2: October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025 Option Year 3: October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 Option Year 4: October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. 7.1 The service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly by mission essential items. The Performance Threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each Performance Objective. These thresholds are critical to the contractor's success. ATTACHMENT A VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Hotel Inspection Environmental Health and Water Intrusion Check List * Inspection Performed By: Yes No NA Potential Water Intrusion Evidence 1 Leaks and/or cracks around windows and doors (check corners of the frames both interior and exterior) 2 Evident of Peeling paint on windows and door frames 3 Discoloration in paint around doors and windows due to rust, water stains etc.? 4 Are there Cracked or deteriorated caulking around the windows or door frames? 5 Cracks or holes in the external walls and foundation that could allow outside water into or under the building? 6 Does outside surface drain away from or toward the building? 7 Are there water Stained ceilings or missing tiles or walls or ceiling with cracks? 8 Is Vinyl wallpaper on exterior walls or where air conditions units would blow chill air on the vinyl? 19 Any evidence of water staining on carpet around the impression of furniture 10 Are there Penetrations (holes) on the walls, floors, or ceilings? 11 Any evidence of wet carpet, walls, floors, ceiling > 15% moisture? VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Hotel Inspection Environmental Health and Water Intrusion Check List * Inspection Performed By: Yes No NA 12 Does facility Low sloping or flat roof without proper drainage 13 Is there any missing shingles or other evidence of damage to roof? 14 Check for termite- damaged materials such as wood materials that could expose the exterior and can lead to moisture intrusion 15 Check air conditioning units within or next to exterior walls for evidence of moisture intrusion issue 16 Is there water on the exhaust and supply vents or evidence of past elevated moisture issues such as rust? 17 Is there any evidence of leaking pipes or faucets in rooms/ common areas? 18 Is there evidence of plumbing drainage or overflow issues? 19 Is there obvious sanitation or insect issues? 20 Were and musty or mold related odors detected? 21 Were any public safety issues noted? *To be completed Quarterly ATTACHMENT B Fire Safety Inspection Report Existing Hotel Dormitories Facilities (Chapter 29) (All Code References are NFPA 101-2012 unless otherwise noted) This checklist {current as of 02/2012} is a summation of the requirements found in Chapter 29, Existing Hotel/Dormitories Occupancies of the Life Safety Code. This checklist is not intended to be comprehensive. The user is cautioned to consult the code prior to answering the following questions. Facility Name: _ Facility Address: __ Inspected: _ Number of Stories: Types of Mixed, Multiple or Separated Occupancies: Item Standard Reference Yes No N/A 1 29.1.1.1   General Requirements Application: The requirements of this chapter shall apply to existing buildings or portions thereof currently occupied as hotel or dormitory occupancies. In addition, the building shall meet the requirements of one of the following options: 1-1 Hotel: A building or group of buildings under the same management in which there are sleeping accommodations for more than 16 persons and primarily used for lodging with or without meals. 3.3.143 1-2 Dormitory: A building or space in a building in which group sleeping accommodations are provided for more than 16 persons who are not members of the same family in one room, or a series of closely associated rooms, under joint occupancy and single management, with or without meals but without individual cooking facilities. 3.3.64 1-3 Multiple Occupancies: Multiple occupancies shall comply with 6.1.14.1 and one of the following: (1) Mixed Occupancies 6.1.14.3 (2) Separated Occupancies 6.1.14.4 1-3a Where incidental to another occupancy, areas used as follows shall be permitted to be considered part of the predominant occupancy and shall be subject to the Code that applies to the predominant occupancy (1) Mercantile, business, industrial or storage use (2) Nonresidential use with an occupant loads fewer that that established by Section 6.1 for occupancy threshold. 6.1.14.3 1-3b Multiple Occupancy: a building or structure where two or more classes of occupancies exist. 6.1.14.2.1 1-3b Mixed Occupancies: A multiple occupancy where the occupancies are intermingled. 6.1.14.2.2 1-3c Separated Occupancy: A multiple occupancy where the occupancies are separated by fire resistant-rated construction. 6.1.14.2.3 2 29.2.1 Means of Egress General Means of egress from guest rooms or guest suites to the outside of the building shall be in accordance with Chapter 7 and this chapter. 2-1 29.2.1.2 Means of escape within a guest room or guest suite shall comply with the provisions of Section 24.2 for one- and two-family dwellings. 2-1 Number of Means of Escape. In dwellings or dwelling units of two rooms or more, every sleeping room and every living area shall have not less than one primary means of escape and one secondary means of escape. 24.2.2.1 2-3 Primary Means of Escape.  The primary means of escape shall be a door, stairway, or ramp providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling unit at street or the finished ground level. 24.2.2.2 2-4 24.2.2.1.2   A secondary means of escape shall not be required where one of the following conditions are met: 2-4a (1) The bedroom or living area has a door leading directly to the outside of the building at or to the finished ground level. 24.2.2.1.2(1) 2-4b (2) The dwelling unit is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 24.3.5. 24.2.2.1.2(2) 2-5 24.2.2.3 Secondary Means of Escape.  The secondary means of escape, other than an existing approved means of escape, shall be one of the means specified in 24.2.2.3.1 through 24.2.2.3.3. 2-5a It shall be a door, stairway, passage, or hall providing a way of unobstructed travel to the outside of the dwelling at street or the finished ground level that is independent of and remote from the primary means of escape. 24.2.2.3.1 2-5b It shall be a passage through an adjacent non-lockable space, independent of and remote from the primary means of escape, to any approved means of escape. 24.2.2.3.2   2-5c It shall be an outside window or door operable from the inside without the use of tools, keys, or special effort and shall provide a clear opening of not less than 5.7 ft2 (0.53 m2). The width shall be not less than 20 in. (510 mm), and the height shall be not less than 24 in. (610 mm). The bottom of the opening shall be not more than 44 in. (1120 mm) above the floor. Such means of escape shall be acceptable where one of the following criteria is met: 24.2.2.3.3. 2-5c1 (1) The window shall be within 20 ft (6100 mm) of the finished ground level. 24.2.2.3.3.(1) 2-5c2 (2) The window shall be directly accessible to fire department rescue apparatus as approved by the authority having jurisdiction. 24.2.2.3.3.(2) 2-5c3 (3) The window or door shall open onto an exterior balcony. 24.2.2.3.3.(3) 2-6 Windows having a sill height below the adjacent finished ground level shall be provided with a window well meeting the following criteria: 2-6a (a) The window well shall have horizontal dimensions that allow the window to be fully opened. 24.2.2.3.3.(4)a 2-6b (b) The window well shall have an accessible net clear opening of not less than 9 ft2 (0.82 m2) with a length and width of not less than 36 in. (915 mm). 24.2.2.3.3.(4)b 2-6c (c) A window well with a vertical depth of more than 44 in. (1120 mm) shall be equipped with an approved permanently affixed ladder or with steps meeting the following criteria: i. The ladder or steps shall not encroach more than 6 in. (150 mm) into the required dimensions of the window well. ii. The ladder or steps shall not be obstructed by the window. 24.2.2.3.3.(4)c 3 29.2.2 Means off Egress Components. Doors, stairs, smoke proof enclosures, horizontal exits, ramps, exit passageways, escalators, fire escape stairs, fire escape ladders, alternating tread devices, areas of refuge, complying with associated codes shall be permitted. 3-1 In buildings, other than high-rise buildings, that are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5, exit enclosures shall have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating, and doors shall have a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating. 29.2.2.1.2 3-2 No door in any means of egress shall be locked against egress when the building is occupied. 29.2.2.2.2.1   3-3 Delayed-egress locks complying with 7.2.1.6.1 shall be permitted, provided that not more than one such device is located in any one egress path. 29.2.2.2.2.2 3-4 Access controlled egress doors complying with 7.2.1.6.2 shall be permitted 29.2.2.2.2.3 3-5 Elevator lobby exit access door locking in accordance with 7.2.1.6.3 shall be permitted. 29.2.2.2.2.4   3-6 Door-locking arrangements shall comply with 29.2.2.2.2.1, 29.2.2.2.2.2, 29.2.2.2.2.3, or 29.2.2.2.2.4. 29.2.2.2.2   4 Number of Exits. 4-1 Not less than two separate exits shall be accessible from every part of every story, including stories below the level of exit discharge and stories occupied for public purposes. 29.2.4.1 (2) 4-2 29.2.4.3 A single exit shall be permitted in buildings where the total number of stories does not exceed four, provided that all of the following conditions are met: 4-2a (1) There are four or fewer guest rooms or guest suites per story. 29.2.4.3 (1) 4-2b (2) The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5. 29.2.4.3 (2) 4-2c (3) The exit stairway does not serve more than one-half of a story below the level of exit discharge. 29.2.4.3 (3) 4-2d (4) The travel distance from the entrance door of any guest room or guest suite to an exit does not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m). 29.2.4.3 (4) 4-2e (5) The exit stairway is completely enclosed or separated from the rest of the building by barriers having a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating. 29.2.4.3 (5) 4-2f (6) All openings between the exit stairway enclosure and the building are protected with self-closing door assemblies having a minimum 1-hour fire protection rating. 29.2.4.3 (6) 4-2g (7) All corridors serving as access to exits have a minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating. 29.2.4.3 (7) 4-2h (8) Horizontal and vertical separation having a minimum 1/2-hour fire resistance rating is provided between guest rooms or guest suites. 29.2.4.3 (8) 5 31.2.5.1   Arrangement of Egress Access to all required exits shall be in accordance with Section 7.5. 5-1 In buildings not protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5, common paths of travel shall not exceed 35 ft (10.7 m); travel within a guest room or guest suite shall not be included when calculating common path of travel. 29.2.5.3 5-2 In buildings protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5, common path of travel shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m); travel within a guest room or guest suite shall not be included when determining common path of travel. 29.2.5.4 5-3 Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m). 29.2.5.5 5-4 Travel Distance to Exits. Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor door shall not exceed 75 ft (23 m) in buildings not protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5. 29.2.6.1 5-5 Travel distance within a guest room or guest suite to a corridor door shall not exceed 125 ft (38 m) in buildings protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5. 29.2.6.2 5-6 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room or guest suite to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with Section 7.6, shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m). 29.2.6.3.1 5-7 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room or guest suite to the nearest exit, measured in accordance with Section 7.6, shall not exceed 200 ft (61 m) for exterior ways of exit access arranged in accordance with 7.5.3. 29.2.6.3.2 5-8 Travel distance from the corridor door of any guest room or guest suite to the nearest exit shall be measured in accordance with Section 7.6 and shall not exceed 200 ft (61 m) where the exit access and any portion of the building that is tributary to the exit access are protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5. 29.2.6.3.3.1 5-9 29.2.6.3.3.2 Where the building is not protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system, the 200 ft (61 m) travel distance shall be permitted within any portion of the building that is protected by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system, provided that the sprinklered portion of the building is separated from any non-sprinklered portion by fire barriers having a fire resistance rating as follows: 5-9a (1) Minimum 1-hour fire resistance rating for buildings three or fewer stories in height. 29.2.6.3.3.2 (1) 5-9b (2) Minimum 2-hour fire resistance rating for buildings four or more stories in height. 29.2.6.3.3.2 (2) 5-10 Exit Discharge. Any required exit stair that is located so that it is necessary to pass through the lobby or other open space to reach the outside of the building shall be continuously enclosed down to a level of exit discharge or to a mezzanine within a lobby at a level of exit discharge. 29.2.7.2 5-11 The distance of travel from the termination of the exit enclosure to an exterior door leading to a public way shall not exceed 150 ft (46 m) in buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5 and shall not exceed 100 ft (30 m) in all other buildings. 29.2.7.3 5-12 Illumination of Means of Egress Means of egress shall be illuminated in accordance with Section 7.8. 29.2.8 5-13 Emergency Lighting Emergency lighting in accordance with Section 7.9 shall be provided in all buildings with more than 25 rooms. The requirement of 29.2.9.1 shall not apply where each guest room or guest suite has an exit direct to the outside of the building at street or the finished ground level. 29.2.9.1 5-14 Marking of Means of Egress Means of egress shall have signs in accordance with Section 7.10. 29.2.10 6 29.3.1 Protection of Vertical Openings Vertical openings shall be enclosed or protected in accordance with Section 8.6. 6-1 In buildings, other than high-rise buildings, that are protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5, and in which exits and required ways of travel thereto are adequately safeguarded against fire and smoke within the building, or where every individual room has direct access to an exterior exit without passing through any public corridor, the protection of vertical openings that are not part of required exits shall not be required where approved by the authority having jurisdiction and where such openings do not endanger required means of egress. 29.3.1.1.3 6-2 In buildings two or fewer stories in height, unprotected openings shall be permitted by the authority having jurisdiction to continue to be used where the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5 29.3.1.1.4 6-3 No floor below the level of exit discharge used only for storage, heating equipment, or purposes other than residential occupancy shall have unprotected openings to floors used for residential purposes. 29.3.1.2 7 29.3.2.1 Protection from Hazards Protection from any area having a degree of hazard greater than that normal to the general occupancy of the building or structure shall be provided by one of the following means: 8.7.1.1 7-1 (1) Enclosing the area with a fire barrier without windows that has a 1-hour fire resistance rating in accordance with Section 8.3 8.7.1.1 (1) 7-2 (2) Protecting the area with automatic extinguishing systems in accordance with Section 9.7 8.7.1.1 (2) 7-3 (3) Applying both 8.7.1.1(1) and (2) where the hazard is severe or where otherwise specified by Chapters 11 through 43 8.7.1.1 (3) 7-4 All rooms containing high-pressure boilers, refrigerating machinery, transformers, or other service equipment subject to possible explosion shall not be located directly under or directly adjacent to exits and shall be effectively cut off from other parts of the building as specified in Section 8.7. 29.3.2.1 7-5 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish  Interior wall and ceiling finish materials complying with 10.2 shall be permitted as follows: (1) Exit enclosures Class A or Class B (2) Lobbies and corridors Class A or Class B (3) Other spaces Class A, Class B, or Class C 29.3.3.2 7-6 Interior Floor Finish  In non-sprinklered buildings, newly installed interior floor finish in exits and exit access corridors shall be not less than Class II in accordance with 10.2.7. 29.3.3.3 7-7 Detection, Alarm, and Communication Systems A fire alarm system in accordance with Section 9.6, except as modified by 29.3.4.2 through 29.3.4.5, shall be provided in buildings, other than those where each guest room has exterior exit access in accordance with 7.5.3 and the building is three or fewer stories in height. 29.3.4.1 8 29.3.4.2 Initiation Means The required fire alarm system shall be initiated by each of the following: 8-1 (1) Manual means in accordance with 9.6.2, unless there are other effective means to activate the fire alarm system, such as complete automatic sprinkler or automatic detection systems, with manual fire alarm box in accordance with 29.3.4.2(2) required 29.3.4.2 (1) 8-2 (2) Manual fire alarm box located at the hotel desk or other convenient central control point under continuous supervision by responsible employees 29.3.4.2 (2) 8-3 (3) Required automatic sprinkler system 29.3.4.2 (3) 8-4 (4) Required automatic detection system other than sleeping room smoke detectors 29.3.4.2 (4) 9 Notification Occupant notification shall be provided automatically in accordance with Section 9.6.3 9-1 (1) Visible signals shall be installed in units designed for the hearing impaired. (2) Positive alarm sequence in accordance with 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted. (3) Existing approved pre-signal systems shall be permitted in accordance with 9.6.3.3. 29.3.4.3 9-2 Where the existing fire alarm system does not provide for automatic emergency forces notification in accordance with 9.6.4, provisions shall be made for the immediate notification of the public fire department by telephone or other means in case of fire, and, where there is no public fire department, notification shall be made to the private fire brigade. 29.3.4.3.6 9-3 Where a new fire alarm system is installed or the existing fire alarm system is replaced, emergency forces notification shall be provided in accordance with 9.6.4. 29.3.4.3.7 10 29.3.4.4 Detection 10-1 Smoke Alarms.  An approved single-station smoke alarm shall be installed in accordance with 9.6.2.10 in every guest room and every living area and sleeping room within a guest suite. 29.3.4.5 10-2 The smoke alarms shall not be required to be interconnected. 29.3.4.5.1 10-3 Single-station smoke alarms without a secondary (standby) power source shall be permitted. 29.3.4.5.2 11 Fire Suppression Systems 11-1 Extinguishment Requirements All high-rise buildings, other than those where each guest room or guest suite has exterior exit access in accordance with 7.5.3, shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5.3. 29.3.5.1 11-2 Where an automatic sprinkler system is installed, either for total or partial building coverage, the system shall be in accordance with Section 9.7, as modified by 29.3.5.4 and 29.3.5.5. In buildings four or fewer stories above grade plane, systems in accordance with NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, shall be permitted. 29.3.5.3 11-3 The provisions for draft stops and closely spaced sprinklers in NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, shall not be required for openings complying with 8.6.9.1 where the opening is within the guest room or guest suite. 29.3.5.4 11-4 In guest rooms and in guest room suites, sprinkler installations shall not be required in closets not exceeding 24 ft2 (2.2 m2) and in bathrooms not exceeding 55 ft2 (5.1 m2). 29.3.5.5 11-5 In buildings other than those protected throughout with an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5.3, portable fire extinguishers shall be provided as specified in 9.7.4.1 in hazardous areas addressed by 29.3.2.2 29.3.5.8 11-6 Are fire extinguishers inspected on a monthly basis and serviced annually. NFPA 10-2002 6.1.2, 6.3.1 12 Corridors Exit access corridor walls shall comply with either 29.3.6.1.2 or 29.3.6.1.3. 12-1 Walls  In buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5, no fire resistance rating shall be required, but the walls and all openings therein shall resist the passage of smoke. 29.3.6.1.3 12-2 In buildings not complying with 29.3.6.1.3, exit access corridor walls shall consist of fire barriers in accordance with 8.2.3 having a minimum 1/2-hour fire resistance rating. 29.3.6.1.2 12-3 Doors Which open onto exit access corridors, other than those complying with 8.3.4 or in buildings meeting the requirement of 29.3.6.2.2, shall have not less than a 20-minute fire protection rating in accordance with Section 8.3. 29.3.6.2.1   12-4 Where automatic sprinkler protection is provided in the corridor in accordance with 31.3.5.8 through 31.3.5.9, doors shall not be required to have a fire protection rating but shall resist the passage of smoke and be equipped with latches to keep doors tightly closed. 29.3.6.2.2 12-5 Doors that open onto exit access corridors shall be self-closing and self-latching. 29.3.6.2.3   12-6 Unprotected Openings  Unprotected openings, other than those from spaces complying with 29.3.6.3.2, shall be prohibited in exit access corridor walls and doors. 29.3.6.3.1 12-7 Spaces shall be permitted to be unlimited in area and open to the corridor, provided that all of the following criteria are met: 29.3.6.3.2 12-7a (1) The space is not used for guest rooms or guest suites or hazardous areas. 29.3.6.3.2 (1) 12-7b (2) The building is protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 31.3.5.3. 29.3.6.3.2 (2) 12-7c (3) The space does not obstruct access to required exits. 29.3.6.3.2 (3) 13 29.3.6.4.1 Transoms, louvers, Transfer Grilles Transoms, louvers, or transfer grilles shall be prohibited in walls or doors of exit access corridors, unless meeting the requirements of 29.3.6.4.2, 29.3.6.4.3, or 29.3.6.4.4. 13-1 Existing transoms shall be permitted but shall be fixed in the closed position and shall be covered or otherwise protected to provide a fire resistance rating not less than that of the wall in which they are installed. 29.3.6.4.2   13-2 The requirement of 29.3.6.4.1 shall not apply where a corridor smoke detection system is provided that, when sensing smoke, sounds the building alarm and shuts down return or exhaust fans that draw air into the corridor from the guest rooms. The transfer grille or louver shall be located in the lower one-third of the wall or door height. 29.3.6.4.3   13-3 The requirement of 29.3.6.4.1 shall not apply to buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system complying with 29.3.5 or buildings with corridor sprinkler protection in accordance with 31.3.5.8 through 31.3.5.9. The transfer grille or louver shall be located in the lower one-third of the wall or door height. 29.3.6.4.4   13-4 Subdivision of Building Spaces In buildings other than those meeting the requirements of 29.3.7.1, 29.3.7.2, or 29.3.7.3, every guest room floor shall be divided into not less than two smoke compartments of approximately the same size by smoke partitions in accordance with Section 8.4. 29.3.7 13-5 29.3.7.1   Smoke partitions shall not be required in buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 29.3.5 or a corridor sprinkler system conforming to 31.3.5.8 through 31.3.5.9. 29.3.7.2   Smoke partitions shall not be required where each guest room is provided with exterior ways of exit access arranged in accordance with 7.5.3. 29.3.7.3   Smoke partitions shall not be required where the aggregate corridor length on each floor is not more than 150 ft 29.3.7.1   through 29.3.7.4   13-6 Additional smoke partitions shall be provided so that the travel distance from a guest room corridor door to a smoke partition shall not exceed 150 ft. 29.3.7.4   14 29.4.1 High Rise Buildings High-rise buildings shall comply with 29.3.5.1. 29.4.1.2 Emergency plans in accordance with Section 4.8 shall be provided and shall include all of the following: 14-1 (1) Egress Procedures 29.4.1.2 (1) 14-2 (2) Methods 29.4.1.2 (2) 14-3 (3) Preferred evacuation routes for each event, including appropriate use of elevators 29.4.1.2 (3) 15 Building Services 15-1 Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning equipment shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.2. 29.5.2.1   15-2 Unvented fuel-fired heaters, other than gas space heaters in compliance with NFPA 54, National Fuel Gas Code, shall not be used. 29.5.2.2   15-3 Elevators, Escalators, and Conveyors  Elevators, escalators, and conveyors shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.4. 29.5.3 15-4 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, Laundry Chutes Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes.  Rubbish chutes, incinerators, and laundry chutes shall comply with the provisions of Section 9.5. 29.5.4 16 29.7.1 Hotel Emergency Organization 16-1 Employees of hotels shall be instructed and drilled in the duties they are to perform in the event of fire, panic, or other emergency. 29.7.1.1 16-2 Drills of the emergency organization shall be held at quarterly intervals and shall cover such points as the operation and maintenance of the available first aid fire appliances, the testing of devices to alert guests, and a study of instructions for emergency duties. 29.7.1.2 17 29.7.2 Emergency Duties.  Upon discovery of a fire, employees shall carry out all of the following duties: 17-1 (1) Activation of the facility fire protection signaling system, if provided 17-2 (2) Notification of the public fire department 17-3 (3) Other action as previously instructed 17-4 Drills in Dormitories.  Emergency egress and relocation drills in accordance with Section 4.7 shall be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize occupants with all types of hazards and to establish conduct of the drill as a matter of routine. Drills shall be conducted during peak occupancy periods and shall include suitable procedures to ensure that all persons subject to the drill participate. 29.7.3 18 29.7.4 Emergency Instructions for Residents or Guests.  18-1 A floor diagram reflecting the actual floor arrangement, exit locations, and room identification shall be posted in a location and manner acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction on, or immediately adjacent to, every guest room door in hotels and in every resident room in dormitories. 29.7.4.1 18-2 Fire safety information shall be provided to allow guests to make the decision to evacuate to the outside, to evacuate to an area of refuge, to remain in place, or to employ any combination of the three options. 29.7.4.2  18-3 Emergency Plans.  Emergency plans in accordance with Section 4.8 shall be provided and include the following: (1) procedures for reporting emergencies (2) Occupant and staff response to emergencies (3) Evacuation procedures, appropriate for the building, occupancy & hazards (4) Appropriateness of the use of elevators (5) Design and conduct of fire drills (6) Type and coverage of fire protection systems 29.7.5 19 9.7.6   Contents and Furnishings 19-1 New draperies, curtains, and other similar loosely hanging furnishings and decorations shall be flame resistant as demonstrated by testing in accordance with NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films. 29.7.6.1   All references are from NFPA 101 (2012) unless otherwise noted.
