In addition to/in lieu of the provisions set forth in the international codes for group E, daycare occupancies (daycare facilities for over 6 children), the following requirements are hereby adopted for daycare facilities within the city. Provided, however, that items not herein specifically addressed shall be deemed to have the same requirements as those set forth in group E, daycare occupancies.
A. Fire Resistance/Separation: Regulations for fire resistance of exterior walls, openings in exterior walls and required separation in buildings of mixed occupancy shall be the same as for R-3 occupancies.
B. Fire Alarms/Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors shall be installed on the ceiling of each story in front of the doors to the stairways and at no greater than thirty foot (30') spacing in the corridors of all floors containing the occupancy.
Detectors shall also be installed in lounges and recreation areas of these occupancies. The detectors may be single station units with an integral alarm having a decibel rating of at least eighty five (85). Manual fire alarm systems, as approved by the fire department, shall be required for daycare facilities which care for thirteen (13) through forty nine (49) children. Fire alarm systems for daycare facilities with occupant loads of fifty (50) or more shall conform to the requirements of the international building code and international fire code. No daycare activities may be conducted on any level above the first floor; provided however, that daycare may be permitted on the second floor only of a building if the entire building is equipped with automatic fire sprinklers.
C. Fire Extinguishers: A minimum of one 2A-10 BC fire extinguisher shall be available within seventy five feet (75') of any portion of the facility used for daycare purposes. Each extinguisher shall be located where it will be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of fire. Extinguishers shall be located along normal paths of travel, including exits from an area and shall be mounted securely so that the top of the unit is no higher than five feet (5'), and so as not to be obstructed or obscured from view. Each extinguisher shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with fire department guidelines and regulations.
D. Exits: A minimum of two (2) separate exits is required on every floor or story in all daycare facilities. The width of the second such doorway may be a minimum of thirty two inches (32"); provided, that such doorway is preexisting. Exits must be separated by at least one-half (1/2) the distance of the longest diagonal of the area they serve. In basements with an occupant load of less than fifty (50), at least one of the exits must lead directly to the outside, without passage through an intervening level. In basements with an occupant load of fifty (50) or more, at least two (2) exits must lead directly to the outside. New construction for exit doorways must conform to international code regulations for group E daycare occupancies.
E. Corridors: Corridors must be a minimum of thirty six inches (36") in width.
F. Emergency Lighting: Emergency lighting is required only in daycare operations which provide care for over twelve (12) children. Provided, however, that in any such facilities which do not operate more than one hour before sunrise or one hour after sunset, emergency lighting is required only in windowless areas through which occupants must pass to exit the building. All facilities must be equipped with an easily accessible flashlight maintained in good working order.
G. Space Under Exit Stairways: Usable space under interior exit stairways shall be protected on the side of the usable space with at least one-half inch (1/2") gypsum board or an approved equivalent. If such space is used for the storage of flammable or combustible materials, the space shall be protected on the enclosed side by one hour fire resistive construction.
Doors serving such enclosed usable space shall be self- closing, noncombustible or solid wood core not less than one and three-fourths inches (1.75") thick.
H. Telephone: All daycare facilities must be equipped with a working telephone with clearly legible emergency numbers posted nearby.
I. Emergency Egress Windows: All daycare facilities operating after eight o'clock (8:00) P.M. shall have at least one escape or rescue window in any area in which children will be sleeping. Such windows shall have a minimum net clear openable area of five and seven-tenths (5.7) square feet, a minimum clear opening height of twenty four inches (24") and a minimum clear width of twenty inches (20"). The finished sill height shall be forty four inches (44") or less above the floor. (Ord. 2705 § 13, 2002: Ord. 2436 § 5, 1993)