East St. Louis — Ch. 26 Art. XX Roominghouses § 26-1205
Powers and duties of fire chief
Operative Text
The chief of the fire department shall determine that: (1) All fire hazards have been eliminated from roominghouses; (2) Such roominghouses shall have a minimum of one approved fire extinguisher in the basement and on each floor, as approved by the National Board of Fire Underwriters; and (3) All halls and stairways from upper floors are sufficiently lighted during dark hours.
East St. Louis Ch. 26 Art. XX § 26-1205 assigns the fire chief the authority and responsibility to verify that roominghouses meet specific fire-safety standards. These standards include the elimination of fire hazards, the placement of at least one approved fire extinguisher in the basement and on each floor, and adequate lighting in all hallways and stairways during dark hours. The provision establishes these requirements as conditions that the fire chief must confirm are satisfied in any covered roominghouse.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of roominghouses subject to East St. Louis Ch. 26 Art. XX § 26-1205 generally maintain compliance by routinely identifying and eliminating fire hazards throughout the property. Compliant operators ensure that at least one fire extinguisher meeting National Board of Fire Underwriters approval is installed in the basement and on every floor, and that all hallways and stairways from upper floors are adequately lit during nighttime hours. Because the fire chief holds direct authority to make these determinations, operators typically keep documentation of extinguisher inspections and lighting maintenance readily available for review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in East St. Louis roominghouses are protected under § 26-1205 by requirements that the fire chief verify fire hazards have been eliminated, that approved fire extinguishers are present on each floor and in the basement, and that common hallways and stairways are properly lit at night. If these conditions are not met, tenants may report concerns to the East St. Louis fire department, which holds enforcement authority under this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available when fire-safety standards appear not to be met.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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