Fire Safety

PURPOSE: This rule establishes the fire safety requirements for family day care homes. (1) The following definitions shall be used in interpreting this rule: (A) Alterations are changes made to the structure or floor plan of the facility by removing or adding walls and doors or adding space; (B) Dead-end is a corridor or hallway with no exit at the end that causes occupants to retrace their path to reach an exit; (C) Exit is the portion of a means of egress that is separated from all other areas of the building or structure by construction or equipment required to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge. Exits include exterior exit doors, exit passageways, horizontal exits, separated exit stairs, and separated exit ramps; (D) Exit access is the portion of a means of egress that leads to an exit; (E) Exit discharge is the portion of a means of egress between the termination of an exit and a public way; (F) Fire barrier is a structural element, either vertical or horizontal, such as a wall or floor assembly that is designed and constructed with a specified fire resistance rating to limit the spread of fire and restrict the movement of smoke. Such barriers may have protected openings; (G) Fire resistance rating is the length of time in minutes or hours that materials or structural elements can withstand fire exposure; (H) Flame resistant material is the property of material or their structural elements that prevents or retards the passage of excessive heat, hot gases, or flames under the conditions in which they are used; (I) Flame retardant is a chemical applied to material or other substance that is designed to retard ignition or the spread of fire; (J) Interior finish includes the interior wall and ceiling finish, and interior floor finish; (K) Level exit discharge is a horizontal plane that is located from the point at which an exit terminates and the exit discharge begins. The horizontal plane shall not vary more than two inches (2”) in rise or fall; (L) Level is the portion of a building included between the upper surface of a floor and the ceiling above it, or any upper surface of a floor and the ceiling above it that is separated by more than five (5) steps on a stairway; (M) Means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three (3) distinct parts: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge; AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (N) Mixed occupancy is when a family day care home is located in the same building or structure as another occupancy. This may include a business or place of assembly; (O) Public way is an area such as a street or sidewalk that is open to the outside and is used by the public for moving from one location to another; (P) Remote exit or means of egress is when two (2) exits or two (2) exit access doors are required. Each exit or exit access door shall be placed at a distance apart equal to at least one-half (1/2) the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be used; (Q) Self-closing means to be equipped with an approved device that will ensure closing after having been opened; (R) Smoke barrier is a structural element, either vertical or horizontal, such as a wall, floor, or ceiling assembly that is designed and constructed to restrict the movement of smoke. A smoke barrier may or may not have a fire resistance rating; and (S) Supervised automatic sprinkler system is a system with the initiating devices monitored by the fire alarm control panel. This may include switches used to monitor the position of valves, a low air pressure switch, a water flow switch, and a tamper switch. (2) General Requirements. (A) The Missouri Division of Fire Safety shall inspect the facility annually for the capacity specified on the license application and the fire inspection request. The inspection shall include a determination of whether or not the facility is approved for overlap care as provided in 19 CSR 30-61.155 Overlap Care of Children. (B) At least one (1) portable, operable flashlight for each staff member shall be located on each level of the home and accessible to staff in the event of power failure. (C) Child care staff shall conduct at least one (1) fire drill each month and a disaster drill at least every three (3) months. The disaster drills shall include tornado drills. The provider shall maintain a written record at the facility of the date, type of drill, time required to evacuate the building, and number of children present during the drill. 1. Unscheduled drills may be held at the fire inspector’s discretion. 2. A full evacuation of the home may be postponed during severe weather. 3. An evacuation/emergency plan for fires and tornadoes that is approved by the fire inspector shall be posted in the home in a central location and be visible to all occupants. The plan shall include special instructions for infants and nonambulatory children. 4. Fire drills shall be conducted as follows: A. Drills shall simulate an actual fire condition; B. The children shall not obtain clothing or other items after the alarm has sounded; C. The children shall proceed to a predetermined location outside the building that is sufficiently remote to avoid fire danger, interference with fire department operations, or confusion among different groups of children; and D. Groups shall remain in place until a recall to the building is issued or the children are dismissed. (D) Children shall have no access to areas of the building that do not meet fire safety requirements. (E) All flammable or combustible liquids, matches, lighters, or other hazardous items shall be stored so they are inaccessible to the children. (F) The house numbers shall be plainly visible from the street in case of emergency. (G) Housekeeping practices that ensure fire safety shall be maintained daily. (H) Stairways, walks, ramps, and porches shall be kept free of ice and snow. (I) The provider shall immediately report any fire in the family day care home to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Department of Health, Bureau of Child Care Safety and Licensure. (J) No fresh-cut Christmas trees shall be used unless they are treated with a flame resistant material. Documentation of the treatment shall be on file at the facility and available for review by the fire inspector. (K) The Division of Fire Safety may make additional requirements that provide adequate life safety protection if it is determined that the safety of the occupants is endangered. Every building or structure shall be constructed, arranged, equipped, maintained, and operated to avoid danger to the lives and safety of its occupants from fire, smoke, fumes, or resulting panic during the period of time necessary for escape from the building. (L) Mobile homes manufactured after November 27, 1973, shall comply with the Missouri Public Service Commission, regulations for mobile home tie-down systems. Manufactured homes shall comply with section 700.070, RSMo 1994, regarding tie-down systems. (M) The latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Chapter 101, Life Safety Code, shall prevail in the interpretation of this rule. (N) When the licensed capacity increases, hours of care change, alterations are completed, or other changes occur that affect fire safety, the provider shall meet all the requirements of this rule unless otherwise excepted by the Division of Fire Safety. (O) Facilities that were licensed and areas approved for child care prior to the effective date of this rule shall have ceilings at least seven feet (7’) in height. Facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule shall meet all the requirements of this rule and shall have ceilings at least seven feet, six inches (7’6”) in height. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet all the requirements of this rule and shall have ceilings at least seven feet, six inches (7’6”) in height in the altered space. The fire inspector may make an allowance for the installation of ductwork and plumbing. (P) Facilities served by a volunteer or membership fire department shall be a member in good standing with the fire department. A copy of the membership or receipt for membership shall be on file at the facility and available for review. (Q) Clothes dryers shall be vented and maintained properly. (3) Mixed Occupancies. (A) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, family day care homes initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule, shall meet the following requirements. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space— 1. When a facility is located in a building containing mixed occupancies, the other occupancies shall be separated from the family day care home by at least a one (1)-hour fire barrier; and 2. In facilities in apartment buildings, when both exit accesses exit into the same corridor, the corridor shall be protected throughout by a fire barrier with at least a one (1)- hour fire resistance rated construction. All doors that open into the corridor shall be at least thirty-two inches (32”) wide, have a twenty (20)-minute fire resistance rating, and be self-closing. (4) Exiting and Means of Egress. (A) Each level occupied by children shall have at least two (2) remotely located means of egress. Each door opening in a means of egress shall be at least twenty-eight inches (28”) wide. In new construction, each door opening shall be a minimum of thirty-two inches (32”) wide. (B) Each room over three hundred (300) square feet in size that is used for day care shall have at least two (2) means of egress. At least one (1) means of egress shall be a door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel through the home to the outside of the building at street or ground level. The second means of egress may be a window in accordance with 19 CSR 30-61.086(5) Fire Safety. (C) No room or space that is accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs, overhead door, or through a trap door shall be occupied at any time. (D) Facilities that use a garage as a second exit shall have no flammable or combustible liquids stored in the garage unless approved by the fire inspector. Overhead garage doors are not recognized as exit doorways. (E) Automobiles shall not be stored in the garage during day care hours if there is an exit through the garage, unless the fire inspector determines that there is sufficient space for safe evacuation. (F) No door in a means of egress shall be locked against egress travel when the building is occupied. Locking devices that impede or prohibit egress or that cannot be disengaged easily shall not be used. Dead bolt locks that require a key to unlock the door from the inside shall not be used. Locking or latching devices installed on doors shall not be located higher than fifty inches (50”) above the finished floor. (G) Where two (2) exits or exit access doors are required, they shall be remotely located from each other. (H) Closet door latches shall be designed so children can open the doors from the inside. Bathroom door locks shall be designed to permit opening of the door from the outside in an emergency. The opening device or key shall be readily accessible to the staff. (I) Stairways, landings, and ramps shall be free of all objects. (J) Dead-ends as defined by 19 CSR 30-61.086(1)(B) Fire Safety shall not exceed twenty feet (20’). (5) Windows for Rescue and Ventilation. (A) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule, shall meet the following requirements. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space— 1. Every room or space greater than three hundred (300) square feet used by children shall have at least one (1) outside window for emergency rescue and ventilation. The window shall be operable from the inside without the use of tools and shall provide a clear opening of at least twenty inches (20”) wide, twenty-four inches (24”) in height. The total clear opening space shall be no less than 5.7 square feet in size. The bottom of the opening shall be no more than forty-four inches (44”) above the floor and any latching device shall be operated easily. The clear opening shall be a rectangular solid, with a minimum width and height that provides the required 5.7 square feet opening and a minimum depth of twenty inches (20”) to allow passage through the opening. The windows shall be accessible by the fire department and shall open into an area having access to a public way. This does not apply when the room or space has a door leading directly to the outside of the building; and 2. No windows shall have bars or any other items placed over them in a stationary manner that would impede a rescue or evacuation attempt. (6) Level of Exit Discharge. (A) Areas used for day care shall not be located more than one (1) level below ground level. (B) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule, shall meet the following requirements. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space— 1. Where children are occupying a level below or above the level of exit discharge (basement or second floor), at least one (1) means of egress shall be an exit discharging directly to the outside. The vertical travel to ground level shall not exceed eight feet (8’) for the basement and twelve feet (12’) for the second floor; and 2. Where children are occupying a level below or above the level of exit discharge (basement or second floor), arrangement of means of egress shall be remote from each other. (7) Travel Distance. (A) The travel distance between any room door intended as an exit access or an exit shall not exceed one hundred feet (100’). This travel distance may be increased by fifty feet (50’) in buildings protected throughout by a supervised automatic sprinkler system that is approved by the fire inspector based on the National Fire Protection Association’s Standards for Sprinkler Systems. (B) The travel distance between any point in a room and an exit shall not exceed one hundred fifty feet (150’). This travel distance may be increased by fifty feet (50’) in buildings protected throughout by a supervised automatic sprinkler system that is approved by the fire inspector based on the National Fire Protection Association’s Standards for Sprinkler Systems. (C) The travel distance between any point in a sleeping room and an exit access to that room shall not exceed fifty feet (50’). (8) Emergency Lighting. (A) Emergency lighting shall be installed if the facility is providing nighttime care or if the fire inspector determines that the safety of the occupants is endangered. Emergency lights shall have a ninety (90)-minute battery backup and shall be installed at a location determined by the fire inspector. (9) Interior Finish. (A) Interior wall and ceiling finishes throughout shall be Class C as provided in the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association, Chapter 101, Life Safety Code. Textile AND SECONDARY EDUCATION materials having a napped, tufted, looped, woven, nonwoven, or similar surface shall not be applied to walls or ceilings. Foam plastic materials or other highly flammable or toxic material shall not be used as an interior wall, ceiling, or floor finish. (B) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule, shall have wall studs, ceiling joists, and floor joists that are covered with a minimum of Class C finish with no exposed studs or joists. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space. (10) Detection and Extinguishment. (A) Smoke detectors shall be installed in all family day care homes. (B) Smoke detectors shall be in good operating condition with a functional battery installed. If the smoke detector is not operational, the provider shall install a smoke detector that is powered by the home’s electrical system with a nine (9)-volt battery backup. (C) Smoke detectors shall be installed on each level of the home in or near all sleeping areas. Additional smoke detectors shall be required in other rooms and areas if the fire inspector determines that the safety of the occupants is endangered. (D) Facilities using equipment or appliances that pose a potential carbon monoxide risk, including homes with attached garages, shall install a carbon monoxide detector(s). The detector(s) shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The fire inspector may require additional carbon monoxide detectors if the inspector determines that the safety of the occupants is endangered. 1. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be in good operating condition. If a battery-operated detector is not operational, the provider shall install a detector that is powered by the home’s electrical system with a battery backup. 2. If an elevated carbon monoxide level is detected during a fire inspection, the provider shall have all gas-fired appliances checked by a heating and air conditioning company to identify the source of the carbon monoxide. Until the provider has documentation on file at the facility verifying that all gas-fired appliances were checked by a heating and air conditioning company and are in safe working order, and the facility is determined safe by the fire inspector, the fire inspection shall not be approved. 3. If a level of carbon monoxide is determined that endangers the children in care, the fire inspector shall take measures necessary to protect the children. This may include evacuation of the building or closing the facility. The provider shall obtain and have on file at the facility, documentation verifying that all gas-fired appliances were checked by a heating and air conditioning company and are in safe working order. The facility shall be reinspected by the fire inspector and determined safe before the children can return to the building or the facility can reopen. (E) At least one (1) portable, 5 lb., 2 A-10 BC, fire extinguisher shall be required in all facilities and located near the kitchen or a location required by the fire inspector. Facilities using more than one (1) level shall have an additional extinguisher on each level. (F) Fire extinguishers shall be installed and maintained according to the instructions of the fire inspector and shall be inspected and approved annually by a fire extinguisher company. Documentation of the inspection and approval shall be on file at the facility and available for review by the fire inspector. (G) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the date of this rule, shall meet the following requirements. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space— 1. Smoke detectors shall be powered by the home’s electrical system and have a nine (9)-volt battery backup. When more than one (1) smoke detector is required by the fire inspector, the smoke detectors shall be interconnected so that when one smoke detector activates, it causes an alarm in all smoke detectors; and 2. Where the family day care home is located within a building of another occupancy such as in an apartment building or office building, any corridors serving the family day care home shall be provided with a smoke detector(s) that will activate the smoke detector(s) inside the family day care home. (H) Facilities that have a supervised automatic sprinkler system installed shall have the system tested and approved annually by a fire sprinkler company. A copy of the test report and approval of the system shall be kept on file at the facility and available for review by the fire inspector. (11) Electrical Services. (A) Electrical wiring shall be installed and maintained in good working order. If the fire inspector considers the wiring to be unsafe for the occupants or it is installed improperly, an inspection by a licensed electrician may be required prior to fire safety approval. The inspection by the licensed electrician shall be based on National Fire Protection Associa-tion, Chapter 70, National Electrical Code. (B) Protective covers or inserts for electrical receptacles shall be installed in all areas occupied by children. (C) Electrical extension cords shall not be used unless approved in writing by the fire inspector. (12) Heating, Cooling, and Air Conditioning Equipment. (A) Unvented fuel-fired room heaters and portable electrical space heaters shall not be used during child care hours. The provider shall sign a compliance letter verifying that such equipment will not be used. (B) Facilities with a water heater over two hundred thousand (200,000) British thermal units (Btus) per hour input or larger, or that is heating with a boiler, shall have a valid permit from the Division of Fire Safety posted on the premises. A copy of the permit shall be kept on file at the Division of Fire Safety. (C) Floor furnaces shall have noncombustible protective guards installed around them and shall be located so they do not block access to an exit from any area of the licensed day care space. (D) Heating equipment, fireplaces, and radiators in areas occupied by children shall have partitions, screens, or other means to protect children from hot surfaces and open flames. If solid partitions are used, provisions shall be made to ensure adequate air for combustion and ventilation for heating equipment. Partitions shall be constructed of noncombustible material and shall not obstruct exit access. (E) Gas and electric heating equipment shall be equipped with thermostatic controls. Gas water heaters shall have a properly sized pressure relief valve and be vented properly by galvanized flue pipe and screws at every joint in the pipe or by material recommended by the manufacturer. The drip leg pipe on the pressure relief valve shall extend to approximately six inches (6”) above the floor. (F) Furnace rooms shall be vented properly. Furnace flue pipes shall be constructed of galvanized pipe or material recommended by the manufacturer. Galvanized pipe shall be secured by screws at every joint in the pipe. (G) Joints in gas supply pipes shall be located outside the furnace cabinet housing. (H) Furnaces, water heaters and boilers shall be located inside a fire resistant room that is constructed of five-eighth inch (5/8”) sheet rock or equivalent on the interior, exterior, and ceiling. The room shall have a one and three-quarter inch (1 3/4”) thick solid core door. Furnace rooms and rooms containing water heaters shall not be required to be fire resistive if an automatic sprinkler head is installed off the domestic water system and a smoke detector is located directly outside the room that is interconnected to the other smoke detectors throughout the home. (I) Furnace rooms and rooms containing water heaters shall have adequate combustion air for the units. The vent size opening for the combustion air shall be measured at one (1) square inch per one thousand (1,000) Btu input, if the combustion air is drawn from inside the structure and one (1) square inch per four thousand (4,000) Btu input if the air is drawn from outside the structure through the attic or crawl space. There shall be two (2) combustion air vent openings in each furnace room. One (1) opening shall be located at the lower level and the other at the upper level. (J) Air conditioning, heating, ventilating ductwork, and related equipment shall be installed safely and be in good operating condition as determined by the fire inspector. The fire inspector shall base this on the National Fire Protection Association, Chapter 90A, Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems; or National Fire Protection Association, Chapter 90B, Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems, as applicable. (K) Fireplaces and wood burning stoves shall be installed safely and operate in good working condition as determined by the fire inspector. (L) Flues shall be inspected and cleaned once a year, and the provider shall have documentation of the inspection and cleaning on file at the facility and available for review by the fire inspector. A spark arrestor shall be installed at the chimney outlet. (M) In addition to meeting all the requirements of this rule, facilities initially licensed and areas initially approved for child care on or after the effective date of this rule, shall meet the following requirements. If alterations are made in facilities licensed prior to the effective date of this rule, those facilities shall meet these requirements in the altered space— 1. Gas shut off valves shall be located next to all gas appliances, furnaces, and water heaters; 2. If a furnace or water heater is located inside a garage, it shall be at least eighteen inches (18”) above the finished floor and enclosed inside a fire resistant room. The room shall be constructed of five-eighth inch (5/8”) sheet rock on the interior and exterior wall and interior ceiling and shall have a one and three-quarter inch (1 3/4”) thick solid core door; and 3. Furnaces shall be equipped with an electrical fused switch to protect the unit from electrical overloading and to disconnect the electrical supply. (13) Equivalency Concepts. (A) Nothing in this rule is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability, and safety as alternatives required by this rule. These alternatives may be used only if technical documentation to demonstrate equivalency and the system, method, or device is submitted and approved by the Missouri Division of Fire Safety. AUTHORITY: section 210.221.1(3), RSMo Supp. 1998.* This rule originally filed as 19 CSR 30-61.086. Original rule filed Feb. 18, 1999, effective Sept. 30, 1999. Moved to 5 CSR 25-400.086, effective Aug. 30, 2021. *Original authority: 210.221.1(3), RSMo 1949, RSMo 1955, 1987, 1993, 1995.