Archives > 1976 South Carolina Code of Laws - Previous Versions > 2003 Session > Title 45

This statutory database is current through the 2003 Regular Session of the South Carolina General Assembly. Changes to the statutes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly, which will convene in January 2004, will be incorporated as soon as possible. Some changes enacted by the 2004 General Assembly may take immediate effect. The State of South Carolina and the South Carolina Legislative Council make no warranty as to the accuracy of the data, and users rely on the data entirely at their own risk.




SECTION 45-5-10. Definitions.

A "hotel" as used in this chapter is an inn or public lodginghouse of more than ten bedrooms where transient guests are fed or lodged for pay in this State.

The term "restaurant" as used in this chapter shall include lunch counters and cafes.

The term "transient guests" as used in this chapter shall mean one who puts up for less than one week at such a hotel.

The term "standing water" as used in this chapter shall mean that which remains for ten days or more in a cistern, tank or other receptacle.

SECTION 45-5-20. Applicability to private residences.

Nothing in this chapter shall apply to private residences at which lodgers are not received for hire.

SECTION 45-5-30. Fire extinguishers required on each floor.

Every hotel shall provide each floor with one or more fire extinguishers of a type approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters, which shall be kept in good working order at all times, with plain instructions thereon.

SECTION 45-5-40. Stairways.

All hotels constructed in this State after March 6, 1920 over two stories in height and over one hundred feet in length shall be constructed so that there shall be at least two stairs for the use of guests leading from the ground floor to the uppermost story and for larger buildings such number as the State Fire Marshal of South Carolina shall designate.

SECTION 45-5-50. Fire escapes.

Every hotel in this State over two stories in height shall be provided with permanent iron balconies with iron stairs leading from one balcony to the other, above the ground floor, and with a stairway or ladder extending to the ground, in case such hotel is over one hundred and fifty feet in length and in other cases such number as may be directed by the State Fire Marshal of South Carolina or his agent. But when hotels were built prior to March 6, 1920 and are, in the opinion of the State Fire Marshal of South Carolina or his agent, provided with sufficient inner stairways, so located as to furnish sufficient egress in case of fire, the State Fire Marshal may waive the requirement for outside iron balconies and stairs. Such balconies and iron stairs shall be constructed at the expense of the owner of the hotel. This section shall not apply to hotels built prior to March 6, 1920 where fire escapes are located so as to go through any room.

SECTION 45-5-60. Directions for reaching fire escapes.

In every hotel having fire escapes directions for reaching the fire escapes shall be kept posted at the entrance of each stairway and elevator shaft and in each bedroom above the ground floor. From eight o'clock in the evening until six o'clock in the morning the location and direction of the fire escapes shall be indicated by red lights.

SECTION 45-5-70. Exits from inside courts or light wells.

The proprietor, manager or other person in charge of every hotel constructed with an inside court or light well enclosed on all sides and with sleeping rooms or lodging apartments the only windows of which open upon or into such court or light well shall provide escape from such inside court or light well through a room or rooms, or otherwise, on a level with the lowest floor to which the light well extends.