(1) Except as hereinafter provided in this Chapter, the provisions of sections 22 to 32 are general requirements which shall apply to every building in the local authority’s area of jurisdiction.

(2) Where, in the opinion of the local authority, the means of escape, in the event of fire, from any building erected before the promulgation of this Chapter are inadequate, the local authority may serve a written order upon the owner of such building, calling upon him to carry out within a reasonable time, to be specified in such order, such measures, also to be specified in such order, as it may consider necessary to bring such building into conformity with the provisions of this chapter relating to such means of escape.

(3) In any building to which the provisions of this Chapter apply, whether such building was erected before or after the adoption of this Chapter, the means of escape therefrom, including all exit-ways, panic-bolts, automatic devices, lights and other appliances in connexion with such means of escape, shall be maintained in a proper and safe condition and in proper working order, to the satisfaction of the local authority.

(4) No building shall be altered in such manner as to reduce the number or aggregate width of exit-ways from such building to less than is required by sections 23 to 26