Revised Laws of Saint Lucia (2021)

17.   General safety provisions in case of fire

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    (1)   While any person is within an industrial or commercial building for the purpose of employment or meals the stairs of that building or any room therein in which the person is, and any doors which afford a means of exit for persons employed in that building from any other room or from any other enclosure in that building in which any work or process is carried on, shall not be locked or fastened in such manner that they cannot be easily and immediately opened from the inside.

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    (2)   A door opening on to any staircase or corridor from a room in which more than 5 persons are employed, and in the case of an industrial or commercial building constructed or converted after the coming into operation of this section all other doors affording a means of escape from any room, enclosure or area where any process or work is carried on at any time shall except in the case of sliding doors, be constructed to open outwards.

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    (3)   Subject to the provisions of this Act where any building has been constructed or converted before the coming into operation of this Act for use as an industrial or commercial building where more than 5 persons are employed in the same building above the ground floor, any door which is not kept continuously open, at the foot of a staircase affording a means of exit from that building shall, except in the case of sliding doors, be constructed to open outwards.

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    (4)   Every hoist or liftway inside an industrial or commercial building constructed after the coming into operation of this section shall, subject as hereinafter provided, be completely enclosed with fire resisting materials, and all means of access to the hoist or lift shall be fitted with doors of fire-resisting materials; however, any such hoisting or lift way shall be enclosed at the top only by some material easily broken by fire, or be provided with a vent at the top.

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    (5)   Every window, door or exit affording means of escape in case of fire or giving access thereto other than the means of exit in ordinary case, shall be distinctly and conspicuously marked by a notice printed in red letters of an adequate size and shall cause the same notice to be maintained.

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    (6)   An employer shall cause the contents of any room in an industrial and commercial building in which persons are employed or to which persons have resort to be so arranged or disposed that there is a free passage way for all persons employed in or resorting to that room to a means of escape in case of fire.

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    (7)   In every industrial and commercial building effective means capable of being operated without exposing any person to undue risk shall be provided and maintained for giving warning in case of fire, which shall be clearly available throughout that building.

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    (8)   In an industrial or commercial building where more than 5 persons are employed in the same building above the ground floor or where explosive, or highly inflammable or combustible materials are stored, or to which persons are resorting effective steps shall be taken to ensure that all the persons employed are familiar with the means of escape in case of fire and their use and the routine to be followed in case of fire and that persons resorting thereto may readily be able to discover the means of escape.