(a) Minimum construction requirements.  Current local codes shall be enforced for all new construction including additions or major alterations of existing licensed programs and conversion of buildings not previously licensed as part-day children's programs. In the absence of such ordinance, the state-adopted building code shall apply.

• (1) Plans for construction of a new building, addition to or major alteration of existing buildings shall be submitted to the local fire or code authority for approval prior to start of construction. If no local authority exists, plans shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal.
• (2) Programs in operation on the effective date of these regulations shall continue to comply with the construction and fire safety codes applicable at the issuance of their license.

(b) Fire safety codes.  The part-day program shall comply with the requirements contained in this Section. These requirements are examples of the regulations contained in the BOCA (Building Officials and Code Administrators) Code, the state-adopted building code.

• (1) Floors other than grade level.  No child in age group 0 through 35 months may be housed on any floor other than grade level in wood frame or of ordinary construction unless the building contains a complete, approved, automatic sprinkler system.
• (2) No mobile home, whether mobile or permanently situated, shall be issued a license as a part-day children's program.

(c) Exits.  No exit may be blocked by equipment, furniture or other objects.

• (1) All exit doors shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key.
• (2) Any exit door that is locked shall be able to be unlocked, unlatched and opened with a single motion.

(d) Doors. The facility shall comply with the requirements pertaining to doors contained in this subsection.

• (1) All outside exit doors shall swing in the direction of exit travel if the building is occupied by more than 50 children. Panic hardware shall be provided for doors subject to use by an occupancy load of 100 or more persons per building.
• (2) Every closet door latch shall be such that children can open the door children can open the door from inside the closet.
• (3) Every bathroom door shall be designed to permit opening of the locked door from the outside in an emergency, and the opening device shall be readily accessible to the staff.

(e) Alarm systems and extinguisher. The program shall comply with the requirements for alarm systems and fire extinguishers listed in this subsection.

• (1) Operable smoke detectors shall be placed in each room in which children are in care.
• (2) Smoke detectors shall be installed no more than 30 feet apart on the 30 feet apart on the ceiling or on the wall 4 - 12 inches below the ceiling.
• (3) Smoke detectors shall be tested at least monthly and batteries replaced at least yearly.
• (4) There shall be a manually operated fire alarm system on each floor of buildings with more than 50 children.
• (5) Portable fire extinguishers suitable for Class B or Class BC fires or Class BC fires shall be installed in kitchens and cooking areas, and additional extinguishers suitable for Class A fires shall be installed throughout the program. (Consult the local fire authority or State Fire Marshal for the number, size and type of extinguisher to be installed.)
• (6) All fire extinguishers shall be inspected, serviced and tagged annually by a competent authority.
• (7) Disposable extinguishers are not acceptable unless equipped with a pressure gauge.

(f) Hazardous areas.  Separation requirements shall be met in new construction or in a building not previously licensed for child care.

• (1) Programs are not required to provide this separation for the kitchen if:
• (A) no frying is done and a notice is posted stating that frying is not permitted; or
• (B) there is a UL-approved automatic fire extinguishing system.
• (2) Every central heating unit and gas-fed hot water heater shall be enclosed in separate suitable rooms or closets with exterior air provided for combustion. These enclosures shall not be used for storage or as habitable space.
• (3) All electric and gas-fed water heaters shall be equipped with a temperature pressure valve.
• (4) Use of open-faced space heaters, unvented space heaters or electric portable heaters is prohibited throughout the facility.
• (A) Electric baseboard heat is permissible if it is wired directly in the electrical system and no objects are allowed to come in contact with the heating element.
• (B) Gas-fed, unvented heaters mounted in the wall shall not be used and shall have the knobs removed while children are in the facility.
• (5) Fires in wood-burning fireplaces are prohibited during hours children are in the program.
• (6) A guard shall be provided around heaters, including floor furnaces, when necessary to protect children from hot surfaces.
• (7) Window air conditioning units shall be equipped with appropriate covers.
• (8) Commercial cooking equipment will require installation of a range hood and automatic fire extinguishing system if any type of frying is done. The range hood and automatic fire extinguishing system shall comply with NFPA #96 standard.

(g) Electrical. Electrical wiring shall comply with the requirements contained in this subsection.

• (1) The use of temporary wiring or extension cords as permanent wiring is prohibited. However, extension bars are acceptable if there is documentation that a circuit-breaker or fuse is built into the unit.
• (2) Appliance cords shall not be spliced, knotted, stapled, run over through or piping, run through concealed spaces or from one room to another.
• (3) Electrical outlets which are not in use shall be covered with safety devices unless they are not within reach of children, in areas not used by children or in programs only caring for school-age children.

(h) Evacuation. The program shall comply with the evacuation requirements in this subsection.

• (1) A floor plan of the building shall be exhibited on each floor of the building showing prime and alternate evacuation routes from each area of the building.
• (2) Staff shall perform immediate and safe evacuation of al children.

(i) Training. Employees shall receive training regarding fire extinguishers and evacuation.

• (1) Staff shall be familiar with locations and use of portable fire extinguisher.
• (2) Each staff member shall be familiar with evacuation procedures and routes.

(j) Housekeeping. Accumulations of papers or trash shall be removed from the building as soon as possible.

(k) Outside. The outside area of the program shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements contained in this subsection.

• (1) Outside play areas shall be free of trash, tall grass and standing water.
• (2) Burning of trash on the premises is not permitted while children are in care.