SO YOU HAVE TO INSPECT … A CHILD DAY CARE CENTER
BY GLENN P. CORBETT
Author`s note: This article discusses typical requirements found in model building and fire codes and provides several “inspection nuggets.” Although fire inspectors typically are not charged with enforcing a building code, they must be aware of “changes” made by tenants in existing buildings that result in building code violations–hence, the discussion of both fire and building code regulations. As always, consult your locally adopted codes for specific regulations.
Child day care centers are found in every municipality, large and small. The intense need for this service has resulted in the construction of thousands of these facilities. Many are “commercial” ventures, but a significant number are “mom and pop” operations found in people`s homes.
Child day care centers are licensed by most states. Often, these state regulations require your approval–a “sign-off” by the local fire marshal. Further, these state regulations often specify additional fire safety requirements over and above your local regulations. Be prepared by reading these state regulations before you conduct an inspection.
According to the model building codes, to be classified as an “educational use group” day care center, the facility must provide space for more than five “persons” over the age of 212 for less than 24 hours a day. Note that this building code definition includes adult day care centers as well as child care centers. Although we will discuss child care centers, many of the following requirements apply to similar facilities for the elderly.
INSPECTION NUGGETS
Here`s a list of inspection nuggets for your inspector`s clipboard. Typical child care center concerns include the following:
Occupant load. Although most codes calculate classroom occupant loads based on 20 square feet per person net, many state regulations set lower limits of allowable numbers of occupants per classroom. Many jurisdictions have permitted the use of these state-mandated “classroom size” regulations to establish occupant load.
Location in building. Most codes do not allow a day care center above the second floor. Centers located on the second floor or in basements must be provided with two separate means of egress from those levels for the exclusive use of the day care centers (this avoids having large numbers of children with limited staff “mixing” with adults as everyone tries to leave the building). A sprinkler system provided throughout the building can eliminate this special egress requirement.
Panic hardware. This is one of the few occupancy types in the code that actually requires the use of panic hardware (or fire exit hardware for fire doors). Make sure it is in place.
Corridor issues. Day care centers of moderate or large size often require fire-rated corridors. Additionally, all day care centers are very wary of child abuse. What this means is that there is a strong desire for glass in corridor walls. Wired glass or other “approved” glazing must be used. Be aware that some building codes limit the total area of glazing permitted in a corridor wall (it cannot be a wired glass “wall”).
Rescue windows. As a result of the Our Lady of Angels fire in Chicago, some building codes require special egress windows for classrooms. They must be at least 5.7 square feet in area with a minimum window width and height of 20 inches and 24 inches, respectively. The maximum sill height cannot exceed 44 inches. Doors directly to the exterior from the classroom can eliminate this requirement.
Carpeting on walls. How dangerous can we get? Many centers find it desirable to put carpet on the walls and ceiling for sound attenuation and as a “bump guard.” If carpeting is used, it must be Class I rated and be in a room/area protected throughout by automatic sprinklers. Few meet this requirement.
Paper decorations. Cut-out Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas Santas are popular in day care centers. Remember, such “non-flame resistant” decorations may cover only 10 percent of the total wall and ceiling area of the space in question.
Fire alarm systems. Educational occupancies typically require their installation. Technically, only a simple system employing manual pull stations with audible signaling devices is usually required. However, many states require the installation of smoke detectors in the “sleeping areas” of day care centers. Some of these states even allow the use of single station “residential” smoke detectors (a smoke detector listed for use in dwellings like your house). It may even be battery-operated! Be careful. I would be wary of approving such a detector`s being used “outside” of its listing. If a fire alarm system is being installed, install system-type smoke detectors.
Cooking stoves. Many small and medium size centers use a “residential” cooking stove like the one found in your house. Some inspectors are concerned that a cooking hood and fire extinguishing system are required for such residential stoves. A fire extinguishing system is usually only required for commercial cooking appliances that produce grease-laden vapors. Note the key words commercial and grease-laden vapors.
Fire extinguishers. Don`t forget them. If the center has cooking facilities (even the residential stove discussed above), extinguishers should be in the cooking area as well as throughout the rest of the facility.
Fire drill records. Don`t forget to check them. If records are spotty or nonexistent, have a drill conducted in your presence. Keep a closer tab on these deficient facilities; lack of records obviously indicates a lack of concern for safety.
Square peg in round hole. Some buildings are simply not suited for use as a day care facility. Don`t approve them. n
GLENN P. CORBETT is a professor of fire science at John Jay College in New York City, a technical editor of Fire Engineering, and a firefighter/lieutenant with the Waldwick (NJ) Fire Department. He previously held the position of administrator of engineering services with the San Antonio (TX) Fire Department. Corbett has a master of engineering degree in fire protection engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He authored two chapters on fire prevention/protection in The Fire Chief`s Handbook, Fifth Edition (Fire Engineering Books, 1995). Corbett has been in the fire service since 1978.
