{{INTRODUCTION TO FIRE & BUILDING CODES FOR LICENSED CHILD CARE CENTERS

September 2019

OUR GOALS

• Learn the occupancy type for your licensed child care facility. • Know what paperwork to keep on file for annual inspections.• Explain some of the main code violations inspectors will look for

when inspecting child care facilities.

{{

WHAT OCCUPANCY TYPE IS MY LOCATION?

Child care locations will be one of two classifications.

EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCY (GROUP “E”)

• This group includes buildings and structures occupied by more than five children older than 2 ½ years old, who receive educational supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

• Special rule for a Group “E” occupancy with children 2 ½ years old and under:

• There can be no more than 100 kids 2 ½ years old and under.• All rooms in which children are cared for are located at the level of exit

discharge. • Each child care room for children 2 ½ years old and under has an exit door

that leads to the exterior (outside).

INSTITUTIONAL OCCUPANCY (GROUP “I-4”)

• The building provides custodial care for more than five people for less than 24 hours a day. This includes any child care facility that does not meet the requirements of a Group “E” occupancy.

• The fire and building code is much more restrictive, in most cases, for a Group “I-4” occupancy than for a Group “E.” Keep this in mind when searching for a potential location.

{{

CODE ITEMS REQUIRING AN INSPECTION

GENERAL REFERENCE LIST

• Fire alarm system (If required)• Smoke detector system (If required)• Sprinkler system (If required)• Rated hallways, doors and frames (If required)• Extinguishing system for cooking operations (If applicable)• Fire extinguishers (Including kitchen, if applicable)• Emergency exit lights/signs, proper locks, other exiting• Electrical Code concerns

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS• Where required:

• If the location is a Group “E,” it is required unless your occupant load is less than 50 total people.

• If the location is a Group “I-4,” it is required and an automatic smoke detection system.

• Any notification devices cannot be blocked. • System must be inspected annually by a qualified individual.• System must be in working order for the child care facility to operate.

If the system is ever not working, a fire marshal has to be notified.• Reference standard: NFPA 72 (2010 edition)

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

• Where required:• If the location is a Group “E,” a sprinkler system is not required, unless

the fire area, which is the footprint of the child care facility, is more than 12,000 square feet or if the child care is below ground per 2014 IFC 903.2.3.

• If the location is a Group “I-4,” a sprinkler system is required, unless the child care is on the ground level (level of exit discharge) and every room where care is provided has at least one exterior exit door per 2014 IFC 903.2.6.

• Inspection frequency: Annually• Reference standards: NFPA 13 & NFPA 25

FIRE RATED HALLWAYS, DOORS, FRAMES

• Anything that has been fire rated must not be modified or damaged.

• This includes certain hallways, doors and door frames.

• Fire doors should have a label with fire safety information.

• Fire doors cannot be propped open, unless they are tied to the fire alarm for automatic release in the event of an alarm.

• Any holes, damage or other penetrations in a fire-rated object must be repaired.

KITCHEN HOOD EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

• Where required:• If using commercial-grade cooking equipment.• If using residential cooking equipment, and cooking (not just warming)

with them.• Inspection frequency: Every six months• Reference standards: Indiana Mechanical Code 2014

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Child care facilities are typically viewed as a class “A” hazard. This means a fire extinguisher should be located every 75 feet of travel and rated for class “A” fires.

• Extinguishers must be hung on approved hangers in an unobstructed, conspicuous location.

• Portable fire extinguishers that are 40 lbs. or less must be installed so the top is more than 5 feet above the floor, the clearance between the floor and bottom of the extinguisher cannot be less than 4 inches.

• Inspection frequency: Annually• Reference standards: NFPA 10 (2010 amended edition)

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Extinguishers should be checked monthly. Instructions on the extinguisher can be followed.

• Check the pressure gauge reading and ensure it is in the operable range, which is usually green.

• Check the fullness by picking it up and ensuring there is still weight.

• Check the discharge nozzle to ensure there are no blockages and the seal is not broken.

• Check that the operating instructions are still visible.

EXITING & EMERGENCY LIGHTING

• Door locks: Code says people can be locked out of a building, but people cannot be locked in the building.

• Exit doors must open easily and not be blocked.• Most exits must be marked with illuminated exit signs.• Emergency lights should illuminate the exit pathway in the event

of a loss of power.• Any required emergency lights must be maintained, which

includes the battery backup.

ELECTRICAL

• Extension cords are only allowed for temporary use.• Power strips must be plugged directly into a wall outlet and not

into other power strips.• Electrical panels must not be blocked.• Open junction boxes are not permitted.• Dedicated electrical rooms should have signs on them and not

be used for storage.

CODE ITEMS: PLEASE NOTE

• The code items highlighted in the previous slides are the most common violation areas inspectors see.

• This presentation is not all inclusive for every pertinent fire and building code that will apply to locations.

{{

RECORDS

Specific documents are required for annual State Fire Marshal inspections and to aid with keeping centers safe.

BASICS

• Documents described in the following slides should be stored in a red three-ring binder called Fire Marshal Records.

TESTING/INSPECTIONS

• Inspection reports from the last two years on the following:• Fire alarm (Annually, if a system is required)• Sprinkler (Annually, if a system is required)• Hood suppression system (Semi-annually)• Fire extinguishers (Annually)

• A qualified individual will complete the required inspections and leave paperwork detailing the inspections completed. This should be added to your binder.

RECORDS FROM IFC CHAPTER 4

• The following records are required for all licensed child care centers:

• Monthly fire drill documentation.• Approved fire safety plan.• Approved evacuation plan. • Records documenting employee training for fire safety and evacuation

drills (IFC 406.1).

FIRE DRILLS 405.5

• Identity of the person conducting the drill.• Date and time of the drill.• Notification method used.• Staff members on duty and participating.• Number of occupants evacuated.• Special conditions simulated.• Problems encountered.• Weather conditions when occupants were evacuated.• Time required to accomplish complete evacuation.

SAMPLE FIRE/EVACUATION DRILL LOG

FIRE SAFETY PLANS

• The procedure for reporting a fire or other emergency.• The life safety strategy and procedures for notifying, relocating

or evacuating occupants.• Site plans indicating the following:

• 3.1. The occupancy assembly point.• 3.2. The locations of fire hydrants.• 3.3. The normal routes of fire department vehicle access.

FIRE SAFETY PLAN 404.3.2

• Floor plans identifying the locations of the following:• 4.1. Exits.• 4.2. Primary evacuation routes.• 4.3. Secondary evacuation routes.• 4.4. Accessible egress routes.• 4.5. Areas of refuge.• 4.6. Manual fire alarm boxes.• 4.7. Portable fire extinguishers.• 4.8. Occupant-use hose stations.• 4.9. Fire alarm annunciators and controls.

FIRE SAFETY PLAN 404.3.2

• A list of major fire hazards associated with the normal use and occupancy of the premises, including maintenance and housekeeping procedures.

• Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance of systems and equipment installed to prevent or control fires.

• Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for maintenance, housekeeping and controlling fuel hazard sources.

FIRE SAFETY PLAN 404.3.2

EVACUATION PLAN 404.2

Fire evacuation plans shall include the following:• Emergency egress or escape routes, and whether evacuation of the

building is to be complete or, where approved, by selected floors/areas only.

• Procedures for employees who must remain to operate critical equipment before evacuating.

• Procedures accounting for employees and occupants after evacuation has been completed.

• Identification and assignment of personnel responsible for rescue or emergency medical aid.

EVACUATION PLAN 404.2

• The preferred and alternative means of notifying occupants of a fire or emergency.

• The preferred and alternative means of reporting fires and other emergencies to the fire department or designated emergency response organization.

• Identification and assignment of personnel who can be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan.

• A description of the emergency voice/alarm communication system alert tone and preprogrammed voice messages, where provided.

SAMPLE EVACUATION PLAN

{{THANK YOU