Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Public Safety
Title R710 - Fire Marshal
Rule R710-3 - Assisted Living Facilities
Section R710-3-4 - Amendments and Additions

(a) All facilities shall be inspected annually and obtain a certificate of fire clearance signed by the AHJ.

(b) All facility administrators shall develop emergency plans and preparedness as required in IFC, Chapter 4.

(c) An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances, and equipment shall be approved. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms where, during normal operation, products of combustion are present in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector.

(a) Type I Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Residential Group R-3, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(b) Type I Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facility required exits shall not be secured with dead bolts, chains, or hasps. Deadbolts that are interconnected with the latch, and provide simultaneous retraction of both the deadbolt and the latch, by the turning of the latch, is permitted.

(c) Residents in Type I Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities shall be housed on the first story only, unless an approved outside exit leading to the ground level is provided from any upper or lower level. Split entry/split level type homes in which stairs to the lower and upper level are equal or nearly equal, may have residents housed on both levels when approved by the AHJ.

(d) In Type I Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities, resident rooms on the ground level, shall have emergency escape or rescue opening as required in IFC, Chapter 10, Section 1030.

(e) In Type I Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities an approved independent smoke detector shall be installed and maintained by location as required in IFC, Chapter 9, Section 907.2.11.2.

(f) Type I Small Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Residential Group R-4, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(g) Type I Small Assisted Living Facility required exits shall not be secured with dead bolts, chains, or hasps. Deadbolts that are interconnected with the latch, and provide simultaneous retraction of both the deadbolt and the latch, by the turning of the latch, is permitted.

(h) In a Type I Assisted Living Facility, non-ambulatory persons are permitted after receiving approval for a variance from the Utah Department of Health as allowed in Utah Administrative Code, R432-2-18.

(a) Type II Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Residential Group R-4, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(b) Type II Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities shall have an approved automatic fire extinguishing system installed in compliance with the IBC and IFC, or provide a staff to a resident ratio of one to one on a 24 hour basis.

(c) Type II Small Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Institutional Group I-1, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(d) Type II Small Assisted Living Facilities shall have a minimum corridor width of six feet.

(e) Type II Large Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Institutional Group I-2, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(f) In a Type II Assisted Living Facility, non-ambulatory persons are permitted after receiving approval for a variance from the Utah Department of Health as allowed in Utah Administrative Code, R432-2-18.

(a) Residential Treatment/Support Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facility shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Residential Group R-3, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(b) Residential Treatment/Support Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facility required exits shall not be secured with dead bolts, chains, or hasps. Deadbolts that are interconnected with the latch, and provide simultaneous retraction of both the deadbolt and the latch, by the turning of the latch, is permitted.

(c) Residents in Residential Treatment/Support Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities shall be housed on the first story only, unless an approved outside exit leading to the ground level is provided from any upper or lower level. Split entry/split level type homes in which stairs to the lower and upper level are equal or nearly equal, may have residents housed on both levels when approved by the AHJ.

(d) In Residential Treatment/Support Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities, resident rooms on the ground level, shall have emergency escape or rescue windows as required in IFC, Chapter 10, Section 1029.

(e) In Residential Treatment/Support Limited Capacity Assisted Living Facilities an approved independent smoke detector shall be installed and maintained by location as required in IFC, Chapter 9, Section 907.2.11.2.

(f) Residential Treatment/Support Small Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Residential Group R-4, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(g) Residential Treatment/Support Small Assisted Living Facility required exits shall not be secured with dead bolts, chains, or hasps. Deadbolts that are interconnected with the latch, and provide simultaneous retraction of both the deadbolt and the latch, by the turning of the latch, is permitted.

(h) Residential Treatment/Support Large Assisted Living Facilities shall be constructed in accordance with IBC, Institutional Group I-1, and maintained in accordance with the IBC and IFC.

(i) An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings classified as Group I. Listed quick response or residential sprinkler heads shall be installed in patient or resident sleeping areas.

(j) In a Residential Treatment/Support Assisted Living Facility, residents with compromised ambulatory capacity that can demonstrate the ability to exit the facility unassisted in two minutes or less, and meet the requirements listed in Utah Administrative Code, R501-2-11, Emergency Plans, may receive approval from the Office of Licensing, Utah Department of Human Services, to remain in the facility as a resident.