Life Safety

(1) Any prescribed child care center which complies with the required applicable building and fire safety regulations at the time the board adopts new codes or regulations will, so long as such compliance is maintained (either with or without waivers of specific provisions), be considered to be in compliance with the requirements of the new codes or regulations. (2) The prescribed child care center shall provide fire protection by the elimination of fire hazards, by the installation of necessary fire fighting equipment and by the adoption of a written fire control plan. All fires which result in a response by the local fire department shall be reported to the department within seven (7) days. The report shall contain sufficient information to ascertain the nature and location of the fire, its probable cause and any injuries incurred by any person or persons as a result of the fire. Records which document and evaluate these incidents must be maintained for at least three (3) years. (3) The prescribed child care center shall have a written emergency plan to document instructions to staff, upon employment, and clients, upon enrollment, in fire evacuation procedures. The plan shall include actions to be taken in inclement weather and internal and external emergencies. Evacuation plans shall be posted in prominent areas such as reception areas, near door in class rooms, etc. and shall designate meeting places outside the building in event of emergencies. (4) Corridor doors shall not have louvers. (5) Battery powered emergency lighting shall be installed in corridors, common areas and in stair ways. (6) Corridors shall be lighted at all times, to a minimum of one foot candle. (7) Corridors and exit doors shall be kept clear of equipment, furniture and other obstacles at all times. There shall be a clear passage at all times from the exit doors to a safe area. (8) Corridors in multi-storied buildings shall have two exits remote from each other. At least one exit shall be directly to the outside. (9) Storage beneath any stair is prohibited. (10) Combustible finishes and furnishings shall not be used. (11) Open flame and portable space heaters shall not be permitted in the facility. Cooking appliances other than microwave ovens shall not be allowed in the facility. STANDARDS FOR PRESCRIBED CHILD CARE CENTERS CHAPTER 0720-15 (12) All heaters shall be guarded and spaced to prevent ignition of combustible material and accidental burns. The guard shall not have a surface temperature greater than 120°F. (13) Fireplaces and/or fireplace inserts may be used only if provided with guards or screens which are secured in place. Fireplaces and chimneys shall be inspected and cleaned annually and verified documentation shall be maintained. (14) All electrical equipment shall be maintained in good repair and in safe operating condition. (15) Electrical cords shall not be run under rugs or carpets. (16) The electrical systems shall not be overloaded. Power strips must be equipped with circuit breakers. Extension cords shall not be used. (17) Fire extinguishers, complying with NFPA 10, shall be provided and mounted to comply with NFPA 10. An extinguisher in the kitchen area shall be a minimum of 2-A:10 B:C and an extinguisher with a rating of 20-A shall be adjacent to every hazardous area. The minimum travel distance shall not exceed fifty (50) feet between the extinguishers. (18) Smoking and smoking materials shall be permitted only in designated areas. Ashtrays must be provided wherever smoking is permitted. The facility shall have written policies and procedures for smoking within the facility which shall designate a room or rooms to be used exclusively for staff and visitors who smoke. The designated smoking room or rooms shall not be the dining room or activity room. (19) Trash and other combustible waste shall not be allowed to accumulate within and around the facility and shall be stored in appropriate containers with tight-fitting lids. Trash containers shall be UL approved. (20) All safety equipment shall be maintained in good repair and in a safe operating condition. (21) Janitorial supplies shall not be stored in the kitchen, food storage area, dining area or child accessible areas. (22) Emergency telephone numbers must be posted near a telephone accessible to the children.