Michigan Administrative Code
Department - Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Fire Services
Adult Foster Care Facilities
Part 3 - EXISTING SMALL AND LARGE ADULT FOSTER CARE FACILITIES LICENSED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 27, 1980; EXISTING SMALL AND LARGE ADULT FOSTER CARE FACILITIES LICENSED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 27, 1980, AND RELICENSED BEFORE JULY 2, 1991
Section R. 400.18308 - Exits

Universal Citation: MI Admin Code R. 400.18308

Current through Vol. 24-16, September 15, 2024

Rule 308.

(1) A means of egress shall be considered the entire way and method of passage to free and safe ground outside a group home. Means of egress shall be maintained in unobstructed, easily traveled condition at all times. Where basements are regularly utilized for resident activities, there shall be 2 acceptable means of egress. Doors that form a part of a required means of egress shall be equipped with positive-latching, nonlocking-against-egress-type hardware, be not less than 30 inches in width, and ensure adequate egress for residents who require wheelchairs, including ramps where necessary.

Exception: Special locking requirements complying with 5-2.1.6 are permitted if a facility complies with the following conditions:

(a) The facility is equipped with a complete approved automatic sprinkler system in compliance with the provisions of section 7-7 of the code. A small facility with a sprinkler system in compliance with national fire protection association pamphlet no. 13D, 1991 edition, standard for sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings and mobile homes, which is adopted by reference in R 400.18108, with a 30-minute water supply, and that has each habitable area and closet sprinklered with quick-response or residential sprinklers is also permitted. A large facility with a sprinkler system in compliance with national fire protection association pamphlet no. 13R, 1991 edition, standard for sprinkler systems in residential occupancies up to and including 4 stories in height, which is adopted by reference in R 400.18108, and that has each habitable area and closet sprinklered with quick-response or residential sprinklers is also permitted.

(b) The facility is equipped with self-closing or automatic closing devices on all bedroom doors in compliance with section 5-2.1.8.

(d) The facility is equipped with an approved smoke detection system in compliance with sections 23-2.3.4.3. Exceptions nos. 1 and 2 of 23-2.3.4.3 shall not be used with this exception.

(2) The first floor of a group home shall have not less than 2 separate and independent means of egress leading to the outside. Where basements are regularly utilized for resident activities, there shall be 2 acceptable means of egress.

(3) In homes housing fewer than 13 residents, the second stairway is not required; however, the primary stair shall be enclosed with partitions and doors equal in fire resistance to the standard partition construction of the building. Such stairway doors shall be equipped with approved self-closing devices and positive-latching, nonlocking-against-egress-type hardware. The enclosures shall be constructed and arranged so that effective fire and smoke separations between floors are provided or else each resident bedroom on the second floor or above shall be equipped with a minimum 1 3/4-inch thick solid core wood door.

In homes housing 13 to 20 residents, at least 1 means of egress from each floor shall be directly to the outside or shall be through an enclosed stairway which is properly separated from exposure from the floor below and which exits directly to the outside at grade level.

The required second means of egress shall be enclosed with partitions and doors equal in fire resistance to the standard partition construction of the building. The enclosures shall be constructed and arranged so that effective fire and smoke separations between floors are provided.

(4) Group homes accommodating residents who regularly require wheelchairs shall be equipped with ramps located at primary and secondary means of egress. A ramp shall not exceed 1 foot of rise in 12 feet of run.

(5) Stairway and other vertical openings shall be enclosed with partitions and doors equal in fire resistance to the standard partition construction of the building, if, at a minimum, the partition construction is standard lath and plaster or equivalent. Enclosures shall be constructed and arranged so that effective fire and smoke separations between floors will be effected or else each resident bedroom on the second floor or above shall be equipped with a minimum 1 3/4-inch solid core wood door.

(6) Hardware in an occupied room shall be positive-latching and nonlocking-against-egress. In all facilities housing more than 12 residents, exterior doors shall swing in the direction of egress and be equipped with nonlatching-against-egress-type hardware.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Michigan 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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