A. A new subsection 401.9, Evacuation Required, is hereby added to read as follows:

401.9 Evacuation Required

In the event of activation of a fire, emergency alarm, or at the direction of the Fire Code Official, occupants of the building or portion of the building in which the alarm is activated shall make a safe and orderly evacuation out of the building, or as provided in the building’s fire safety and evacuation or high-rise emergency operations plan.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Where the occupant’s physical or other disability make the occupant unable to evacuate without assistance and no assistance is immediately available; or

2. Where the presence of smoke, fire, structural collapse, or other hazards or obstructions in the occupant’s mean of egress make evacuation unsafe.