Large Family Day Care

The following information has been produced by the Santa Clara County Fire Prevention Officers.

The State Fire Marshal has adopted regulations for Large Family Day Care homes. These regulations were written to protect the day care occupants from fire or other emergencies. The Fire Department is required to inspect the building to make sure these regulations are followed. This information will help you prepare for your inspection.

Definitions:

Large Family Day Care:

is a provider's own home licensed to provide day care for seven to twelve persons, less than 24 hours per day. This would include children under the age of 10 who reside at the provider's home.

CBC:

California Building Code.

CFC:

California Fire Code.

Fees and Permit Requirements:

1. The Santa Clara County Fire Department fees charged for the review will not exceed the cost of the review and permit process.
   Contact the Fire Prevention Division to obtain the fee applicable for your city or town.

2. Permits and fire and life safety inspections shall be issued and conducted on an annual basis.

Building Construction:

1. A one-hour occupancy separation between the day care area and garage is required. The separation may be limited to the installation of materials approved for one-hour construction on the garage side and a self-closing, tight-fitting solid wood door 1-3/8" in thickness, or a self-closing, tight-fitting door having a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes is permitted in lieu of one-hour fire assembly. (CBC 302.4)

2. Day care rooms shall be located on the first floor only, unless the building is equipped with an approved fire sprinkler system. (CBC 1025)

3. Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or door approved for emergency escape or rescue. The window or door must be openable from the inside to provide full, clear opening without the use of separate tools or special knowledge. (CBC 310.4)

4. All chimneys attached to any appliance or fireplace that burns solid fuel shall be equipped with an approved spark arrester. (CBC 3102.3.8a)

5. Day care shall not be permitted in garages.

   Exception: unless garage conversions have been done by a permit and conform to all state and local regulations. (CBC 106)

6. All unenclosed gas-fired water heaters and furnaces that are within the areas used for child care shall be protected in a way as to prevent children from making contact with the appliance. (CBC 310.12)

Exits:(CBC 1025)

1. An Exit is a continuous and unobstructed means of egress to a public way and shall include gates.

2. Every story or basement shall be provided with two exits which are remotely located from each other.

   • Each exit shall be a minimum of 32 inches in width and 6 feet 8 inches in height.

   • A manually operated horizontal sliding door may be used as one of the two required exits.

   • All exits doors shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort.

   • Dead bolts will be permitted if they are interconnected with the door knob in such a manner as turning the door knob simultaneously unlocks the dead bolt.

3. Hardware for side gates that are a part of the exit path shall be provided with a simple, single action device.

Alarms:

1. Smoke alarms shall be located in rooms used for sleeping purposes and at a point centrally located in the corridor or area giving access to each separate sleeping area. (CBC 310.9)

   • Smoke alarms shall be tested monthly. Battery operated alarms must have batteries replaced as needed, not to exceed a period of one year.

   • Smoke alarms shall be installed per manufacturer's installation guidelines.

2. Along with the smoke alarm requirements, every large family day-care shall provide and maintain a device or devices suitable for sounding a fire alarm. Such devices shall be attached to the structure, easily accessible and unobstructed. Devices shall also be distinctive in tone and audible throughout the structure. (CBC 310.15.4)
   Examples of such devices are:

   • battery operated smoke alarm

   • manually operated alarm bell or horn

General Requirements:

1. Address numbers shall be posted and visible from the street. (CFC 901.4.4)

2. Yards shall be maintained to prevent the accumulation of combustible waste and storage. (CFC 1103.2.1.1)

3. Flammable and combustible liquids in quantities of 10 gallons or more shall be stored in an approved cabinet. Flammable and combustible liquids not exceeding 10 gallons shall be stored in approved containers within the garage.

4. A portable fire extinguisher having a minimum 2A10BC rating shall be mounted in an accessible location no higher than 5 feet from the floor.

   Fire extinguishers shall be serviced annually by a State Fire Marshal licensed concern, and bear a current service tag. (CFC 1002)

Additional Safety Precautions:

The following items, although not requirements for fire clearance, are required by other regulatory agencies and are included for your information.

1. Gas water heaters, if located within the garage, shall be located 18 inches above the floor. The pressure-temperature relief valve must be properly installed. (Ca. Plumbing Code)

   Water heaters must be adequately braced for earthquake safety.

2. The heating system must be capable of maintaining a temperature of 70°F. (CBC)

3. An emergency evacuation plan must be developed and be available for review. (Ca. Administrative Code -Title 22)

4. Fire drills are to be conducted monthly and proper records must be maintained. (Ca. Administrative Code - Title 22)

5. All hazardous materials must be stored in an area inaccessible by children.