Code of Colorado Regulations
1400 - Department of Early Childhood
1402 - Division of Early Learning, Licensing, and Administration
8 CCR 1402-1 - CHILD CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULES AND REGULATIONS
BUILDING AND FACILITIES
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.426 - GENERAL BUILDING SAFETY

Universal Citation: 1400 CO Code Regs 8 CCR 1402-1-2.426

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, March 25, 2025

A. Every building, structure, tent, cabin, and resident camp premise must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition.

B. All construction and electrical installations must be safe and free from hazards.

C. In permanent structures, exit signs must be posted at every required exit doorway and wherever otherwise required to clearly indicate the directions of egress.

D. A building with occupancy of more than twelve (12) persons must have at least two (2) independent means of egress separated by no less than fifty (50) percent of the largest dimension of the building from each other.

1. In an existing building, such as a cabin occupied by more than twelve (12) but less than twenty (20) persons, a window may be utilized as an acceptable second exit. The window must be openable and the distance from the window to the ground must not be more than four (4) feet.

2. Each exit door must be hung to swing in the direction of exit travel. Exiting through a food preparation area is not permitted.

E. If buildings with second stories are used by campers, there must be two (2) independent means of egress separated by no less than fifty (50) percent of the building from each other per floor.

F. The resident camp must provide the Department with proof that each fire escape from any upper level of a building is installed in accordance with local fire protection requirements.

G. Every building and or structure must be constructed, arranged, equipped, maintained, and operated so as to avoid undue danger to the lives and safety of its occupants from fire, smoke, fumes, or resulting panic during the period of time reasonably necessary for escape from the building or structure in case of fire or other emergency.

H. Exit doors must be equipped only with panic or single-action hardware. Regardless of the number of staff and campers, exit doors shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. Dead bolts may be installed on the main exit door, but the lock cannot be used during business hours, and there must a sign indicating that "this door must remain unlocked during business hours."

I. There must be at least fifteen (15) square feet per occupant in any room having an occupant load of more than fifty (50) persons where fixed seats are not installed and the room is used for classroom, assembly, or similar purposes. The maximum occupancy must be posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the room.

J. Furnaces, fireplaces, heaters, or wood-burning stoves must meet the following requirements:

1. All heating units must be maintained in accordance with the manufacture's specifications with safety devices to prevent fire, explosions, and other hazards. No open-flame gas or oil stoves, unscreened fireplaces, hot plates, or unvented heaters can be used for heating purposes. All heating elements, including hot water pipes, must be insulated or installed in such a way that camper's cannot come in contact with them.

2. A heater or wood-burning stove must be located and/or protected in such a manner as to prevent injuries to occupants of the building.

3. Wood-burning stoves must be regularly cleaned of ashes. Ashes must be immediately removed from the building and properly stored.

4. Space around furnaces, heaters, and wood-burning stoves must not be used for storage.

K. All weapons on the premises of the resident camp must be unloaded, locked, and inaccessible to campers when not in use. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, air rifles, bb guns, paintball guns, bows, hunting knives, swords, hunting sling shots, and martial arts weapons.

1. Weapons and ammunition, must be locked and stored separately. Trigger locks on weapons are acceptable.

2. Antique firearms and other firearms used for decoration must be unloaded, inoperable, and have the firing pin removed, if applicable.

3. Firearms, as defined in section 18-1-901(3)(h), C.R.S., are prohibited in any vehicle in which campers are transported.

4. All weapons must be used in accordance with Rules Regulating Special Activities" 8 CCR 1402-1, rule sections 2.611 through 2.614.

L. Power tools, explosives and special equipment involving unusual risk must be stored in a locked place inaccessible to campers, and must always be within the possession or direct supervision of authorized personnel when in use.

M. Volatile substances such as gasoline, kerosene, fuel oil, and oil- based paints, firearms, explosives, and other hazardous items must not be stored in any area of the building used for campers unless approved by the local fire department.

N. Substances which may be toxic to a camper, must be stored in a locked cabinet or enclosure located in an area not accessible to campers.

O. Glass doors, walls, or panels must be clearly marked to ensure visibility. Safety glass must be installed when required.

P. All stairways, interior and exterior, that are used by campers must have handrails within reach of the campers.

1. Stairways of a height of more than thirty (30) inches must be equipped with handrails on each side of the stairway. A stairway which is larger than eighty-eight (88) inches wide must have an intermediate handrail equal distance between the two handrails on each side of the stairway.

2. All stairways must be free from hazards, and open-sided portions that are located more than thirty (30) inches above the floor or grade below must be equipped with banisters or handrails within reach of campers. The slats on all railings must be no wider than four (4) inches apart or modified to prevent entrapment.

Q. For windows used as a second exit where the windowsill height is over thirty (30) inches, there must be permanent access to the window. Permanent access can include a ladder bolted to the wall or furniture permanently attached to the wall or steps.

R. Window wells accessible to campers must have covers that are in good condition and will protect campers from falling into the window well. Window well covers must not prevent exiting from a basement window designated as the second exit.

1. For window wells used as a second exit where the window well height is over forty-four (44) inches, there must be an attached escape ladder designed specifically for the purpose of evacuation of campers and staff from the window well to the ground level.

S. All areas accessible to children must be maintained in a safe condition by removal of debris, dilapidated structures, broken or worn equipment, or dangerous items.

T. Transportation must be available at all times in case of medical emergency according to the written emergency medical evacuation plan of the resident camp.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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