Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
The requirements in this Section establish minimum
construction and fire safety requirements for residential child care
facilities, which are enforced by the State Fire Marshal.
(1)
Approval of residential
facilities. The Office of the State Fire Marshal is responsible for
approval of all residential child care facilities.
(A) Current state-adopted codes [74 O.S
§
317
through
324.21
] are enforced for all new construction including additions or major
alterations of existing licensed facilities and conversion of buildings not
previously licensed as residential child care facilities.
(B) Licensed facilities in operation on the
effective date of these regulations comply with the construction and fire
safety codes applicable to the issuance of their license.
(C) Clarification regarding codes and
enforcement is available from the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(2)
Minimum construction
requirements. The facility complies with the construction requirements
described in (A) - (E) of this subsection.
(A) Architectural plans are submitted to and
approved by Licensing Services and the State Fire Marshal or designee before
proceeding with construction.
(B)
When choosing the site for new construction, special consideration is given to
available water for fire fighting and access to all areas of the building for
rescue.
(C) Facilities meet local
building, electrical, plumbing, and fire prevention codes. In localities where
a building code or Life Safety Code does not exist, construction conforms to
the current state-adopted codes.
(D) Building separation and property line
setbacks meet requirements of local ordinances. In the absence of such
ordinances, the state adopted building code applies.
(E) A mobile home, whether mobile or
permanently situated, is not permitted as a residential child care
facility.
(3)
Administration. The facility complies with the requirements
contained in (A) - (E) of this subsection.
(A)
Fire protection plan. The facility has a written fire protection
plan for all persons in the event of fire and evacuation from the building. The
plan is the basis of regular fire drills and includes procedures followed under
all specific types of emergencies.
(i) All
supervisory personnel have a copy of the facility's fire protection
plan.
(ii) Each employee is
familiar with locations and use of portable fire extinguishers.
(iii) Each staff member is familiar with
evacuation procedures and routes.
(B)
Evacuation plan. Evacuation
plans are posted in prominent locations on all floors in each
building.
(C)
Emergency
numbers. Emergency telephone numbers are conspicuously posted at the
telephone.
(D)
Housekeeping. The facility:
(i)
prohibits areas under stairs from being used for combustible storage;
and
(ii) ensures that accumulations
of papers or trash are removed from the building as soon as possible.
(4)
Exits.
The residential child care facility complies with the requirements pertaining
to exits described in (A) - (B) of this paragraph.
(A) Exits are not blocked.
(B) Means of exit are adequately lighted by
natural or electric light at all times to permit safe evacuation of
occupants.
(5)
Fire protection equipment. Equipment is installed and maintained
as required by codes adapted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
(A)
Smoke detectors. The
residential child care facility has operable smoke detectors located according
to NFPA 72 as adapted by the state fire marshal. The detector is powered by
battery, alternating current, or other power source. Upon inspection, a battery
operated detector found inoperable is replaced immediately with an operable
system. For facilities licensed after October 1, 2001 a hard-wired system is
installed.
(B)
Fire
extinguishers. Fire extinguishers are provided in accordance with
current adapted NFPA standard #10 "Portable Fire Extinguisher."
(i) All fire extinguishers are inspected,
serviced, and tagged annually by a trained individual.
(ii) Disposable fire extinguishers are
prohibited.
(6)
Maintenance of equipment.
All safety equipment, including emergency lighting, commercial stove hoods,
sprinkler systems, and any other required safety equipment, is maintained in
compliance with current codes or manufacturer's instructions.
(7)
Interior. The interior of
the facility complies with the requirements contained in (A) - (F) of this
subsection.
(A) Changes to interior finish or
floor covering meet current codes regarding flame spread rating.
(B) Furnishings or decorations with an
explosive or highly flammable characteristic are prohibited.
(C) Use of open-face space heaters, unvented
space heaters, and portable heating devices is prohibited.
(D) Heaters, including floor furnaces, are
enclosed by a guard when necessary to protect children from hot
surfaces.
(E) The use of temporary
wiring or extension cords as permanent wiring is strictly prohibited. Extension
bars are acceptable if there is documentation that a circuit breaker or fuse is
built into the unit.
(F) Electrical
outlets, which are not in use, are covered with safety devices when children
under five years of age are in care.
(8)
Exterior. Exterior areas are
free of trash and tall grass.
Amended at 10 Ok Reg
3663, eff 7-12-93; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3331, eff 10-1-01 (emergency); Amended
at 19 Ok Reg 1171, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2239, eff
7-1-09
