Division 67 Security Provisions

The purpose of this division is to provide a nominal level of resistance to unlawful entry of buildings by establishing minimum standards of construction and hardware for the closure of openings regulated by this division.

Section 91.6702 General

In every Group B, F, M, S and R Occupancy, the openings regulated by this division shall be completely secured in accordance with the provisions specified herein.

  1. Detached buildings which are accessory to Group R-3Occupancies.
  2. Group B, F, M, S Occupancies which, by the nature of their operation, are unenclosed.
  3. Group B, F, M, S Occupancies where the owner submits written notice to the Department of intent to substitute security personnel and/or site security installations in lieu of requirements of this division of this Code. Such exemption shall be subject to the concurrence of the Department and shall be one of the conditions upon which the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Section 91.6703 Limitations

The provisions of this division shall not be applicable to latching or locking devices on exit doors to the extent that the provisions of this division are contrary to the provisions of CBC Section 402.8.8 or CBC Chapter 10, nor shall the regulations of this division be construed to waive any other provision of this Code.

No person shall sell, offer for sale, advertise, display for sale or install any metal bars, grilles, grates, security roll-down shutters or similar devices manufactured or installed to preclude human entry through windows and exterior doors without a label attached to each product, printed in at least ten-point type and that reads as follows: "A building permit is required in most cases for the installation of this product. If this product is installed in a sleeping room, unless excepted by the provisions of CBC Section 1030, the device must be equipped with a quick-release latch operable from inside and the dwelling unit provided with an approved smoke detector."

Section 91.6704 Alternate Security Provisions

The provisions of this division are not intended to prevent the use of any device, hardware, or method of construction, not specifically prescribed in this division, when such alternate provides equivalent security and is approved by the Department.

Section 91.6705 Definitions

For the purpose of this division, certain terms are defined as follows:

CYLINDER GUARD. A ring surrounding the exposed portion of the lock cylinder, or any other device, which is so fastened as to protect the cylinder from wrenching, prying, cutting, or pulling by attack tools. The ring shall be made from steel or brass and shall have a minimum taper of 15 degrees.

DEADLOCKING LATCH. A latch in which the latch bolt is positively held in the projected position by a guard bolt, a plunger or an auxiliary mechanism.

DEADBOLT. A bolt which has no automatic spring action and which is operated by a key cylinder, thumb-turn, or lever, and is held fast when in the projected position.

ENCLOSING PARTITION. A partition extending the full height of the story to the floor or roof above separating tenant spaces.

LATCH. A device for automatically retaining a door, upon its closing, in a closed position.

  1. In an exterior wall and less than 16 feet above the grade of any adjoining yard, court, passageway, public way, walk, breezeway, patio, planter porch or similar area.
  2. In an exterior wall and less than 16 feet above the surface of any adjoining roof, balcony, landing, stairtread, platform, or similar structure when that surface is accessible to the public or another tenant or when any portion of such surface is itself less than 16 feet above an accessible grade.
  3. In the enclosing partitions of a dwelling unit, private garage, guest room or single-tenant non-residential area.
  4. In a roof when any portion of such roof is less than 16 feet above an accessible grade or surface accessible by another tenant or the public.

Section 91.6706 Entry Vision

In residential occupancies, all entry doors to dwelling units or guest rooms shall be arranged so that the occupant has a view of the area immediately outside the door without opening the door. Such view may be provided by a door viewer, through windows located in the vicinity of the door or through view ports in the door or adjoining wall. Such windows or view ports shall be constructed in compliance with the provisions of LAMC Section 91.6713.

Section 91.6707 Appurtenant Access

Buildings located within eight feet of utility poles or similar structures which could otherwise be used to gain access to the building's roof, balcony or similar surfaces shall have access to such building surfaces protected by screens, barricades or fences made of materials which preclude human climbing. Such protection shall extend to where the surfaces are more than eight feet from the pole or access structure.

Section 91.6708 Doors — General

Every door in a security opening shall be constructed, installed and secured as set forth in LAMC Sections 91.6709, 91.6710, 91.6711 and 91.6712. Glazing in doors shall comply with LAMC Section 91.6713.

Every door in a security opening for an apartment house shall be provided with an incandescent light bulb (minimum of 60 watts) at a maximum height of 8 feet (2438.4 mm) or lights on the exterior side of the unit that have a minimum surface illumination of 0.2 footcandles (2.15 lx) at the security opening. Where, in any specific case, different sections of the LAMC specify different requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.