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
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Section 8 CCR 1402-1-2.238 - FIRE SAFETY
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 17, September 10, 2024
Centers must comply with the locally adopted fire code, including but not limited to the following:
A. Every building and structure must have the minimum required number of exits to permit the prompt escape of occupants in case of fire or other emergency. Additional safeguards must be provided for life safety in case any single safeguard is ineffective due to some human or mechanical failure.
B. Every building or structure must be constructed, arranged, equipped, maintained, and operated 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.
C. In every building or structure, exits must be arranged and maintained so as to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of the building or structure at all times when it is occupied. No lock or fastening to prevent free escape from the inside of any building can be installed. Only panic hardware or single-action hardware is permitted on a door or on a pair of doors. All door hardware must be within the reach of children.
D. No children younger than school age can be cared for in areas above or below the main floor of exit unless in compliance with all Codes and Standards as adopted by the local jurisdiction and approved by the local fire department, or except as provided in the location exception in rule section 2.233(A)(4).
E. One (1) exit from each room must be directly to the exterior of the building or to a common hallway leading to the exterior. The exit path must not go through an intervening room such as a bathroom, another classroom, storage room, or kitchen.
F. All stairways, interior and exterior, that are used by children must be provided with handrails within reach of the children.
G. Regardless of the number of staff and children, 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."
H. Every exit must be clearly visible, or the route to reach it must be conspicuously indicated. Each path of escape must be clearly marked.
I. Fire alarm and fire sprinklers must be provided in accordance with the locally adopted fire code. If a fire alarm system is installed, it must be used to warn occupants of the existence of fire or to facilitate the orderly conduct of fire exit drills.
