Fire Laws

CHAPTER 28.13

BOARDING HOMES

Section.

(23-28.13-1 through 23-28.13-26 Repealed)

23-28.13-26.1. Provisions applicable to boarding homes for children.

23-28.13-27. Boarding homes for children - Egress facilities required.

23-28.13-28. Boarding homes for children - Basements - Heating units.

23-28.13-29. Boarding homes for children - Maximum occupancy.

23-28.13-30. Boarding homes for children - Electrical wiring.

23-28.13-31. Boarding homes for children - Heating equipment - Safety devices.

23-28.13-32. Boarding homes for children - Fire stopping.

23-28.13-33. Boarding homes for children - Housekeeping.

23-28.13-34. Installation of smoke detectors in foster care units and in group care units.

23-28.13-35. [Repealed.]

23-28.13-1. Repealed.

23-28.13-2. Repealed.

23-28.13-3. Repealed.

23-28.13-4. Repealed.

23-28.13-5. Repealed.

23-28.13-6. Repealed.

23-28.13-7. Repealed.

23-28.13-8. Repealed.

23-28.13-9. Repealed.

23-28.13-10. Repealed.

23-28.13-11. Repealed.

23-28.13-12. Repealed.

23-28.13-13. Repealed.

23-28.13-14. Repealed.

23-28.13-15. Repealed.

23-28.13-16. Repealed.

23-28.13-17. Repealed.

23-28.13-18. Repealed.

23-28.13-19. Repealed.

23-28.13-20. Repealed.

23-28.13-21. Repealed.

23-28.13-22. Repealed.

23-28.13-23. Repealed.

23-28.13-24. Repealed.

23-28.13-25. Repealed.

23-28.13-26. Repealed.

23-28.13-26.1. Provisions applicable to boarding homes for children.

Sections 23-28.13-27 - 23-28.13-33 pertain to homes for the boarding of children and family day care homes licensed by the state department of children, youth, and families.

23-28.13-27. Boarding homes for children - Egress facilities required.

(a) Each story of every home used for the boarding of children shall have at least two (2) means of egress. Exits shall be located remotely from each other providing the best practicable means of egress for all occupants in the event fire renders one exit impassable.

(b) Homes not over two (2) stories in height which do not have the required two (2) means of egress from each story will require the installation of fire escapes. Windows will be approved as a means of egress, provided they can be opened to give a clear unobstructed width of not less than two feet six inches (2'6") and a height of not less than three feet (3'). Platforms with a ladder extending to within six feet (6') of the ground will be permitted. In lieu of a second means of egress, a smoke detector of a type approved by the fire marshal's office shall be properly installed and maintained in accordance with the regulations established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review.

(c) Access to fire escapes and outside stairways shall be unobstructed and shall provide safe, adequate, and convenient means of exit.

23-28.13-28. Boarding homes for children - Basements - Heating units.

(a) The use of basements shall not be allowed for sleeping quarters.

(b) Levels below ground, not considered as a basement as defined in this code, and levels on grade with sleeping quarters with a central heating unit contained therein shall be segregated by partitions and doors having a one hour fire resistant rating. Enclosures shall be provided with an air vent to the outside sufficient for proper combustion and exhaust.

23-28.13-29. Boarding homes for children - Maximum occupancy.

The number of children housed in each sleeping room and compartment shall not exceed the rate of fifty square feet (50 sq. ft.) for a child in a junior size bed and/or one infant in a bassinet for each twenty-four square feet (24 sq. ft.). The total occupancy determined in this manner shall be termed maximum occupancy.

23-28.13-30. Boarding homes for children - Electrical wiring.

(a) All electrical wiring shall be in accordance with the national electrical code and shall comply in every respect with accepted standards.

(b) The use of electrical extension cords for all appliances shall not be allowed.

23-28.13-31. Boarding homes for children - Heating equipment - Safety devices.

Oil and gas burners shall be equipped with proper devices for automatic lighting, controls for oil or gas flow temperatures, and other proper safety devices. Oil and gas burners also shall be installed with an auxiliary switch wired to position in location providing operation remote from any fire danger area.

23-28.13-32. Boarding homes for children - Fire stopping.

(a) Exterior walls of frame construction and interior stud partitions shall be fire-stopped by a two inch (2") thick timber or plate or masonry filling, completely closing any possible vertical opening at the ceiling of the basement.

(b) In existing buildings, exterior walls of frame construction and interior stud partitions shall be completely fire-stopped by a timber of not less than two inches (2") in thickness or other suitable noncombustible material completely closing any possible vertical openings, open joist channels, and stud spaces, at the ceiling of the basement.

23-28.13-33. Boarding homes for children - Housekeeping.

(a) All homes for the boarding of children and other occupancies within buildings containing homes for boarding children shall be kept clean and in a tidy condition, and free from the accumulation of combustible debris or other waste material.

(b) All corridors, passageways, stairways, and fire escapes shall be kept clear of all storage at all times.

23-28.13-34. Installation of smoke detectors in foster care units and in group care units.

(a) All group care residential units in which a child is placed by the department of children, youth, and families or by any private agency, society, or institution licensed to place children shall be equipped with a hard wire smoke detector system in accordance with the regulations established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review. All of the residential units in which children are placed shall be equipped with a hard wire smoke detector system listed and/or approved by underwriters factory mutual or some other nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the state fire marshal, except any camp or tourist camp as defined in § 44-18-7(e). Each battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system shall be inspected by the department of children, youth, and families at least once each year. Installation of hard wire smoke detectors shall be completed on or before January 1, 1995, for those group care residential units not currently in compliance with this section.

(b) All foster care units in which a foster child is placed by the department of children, youth, and families or any private agency, society or institution licensed to place children shall be equipped with either a battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system. All other provisions of this section shall otherwise apply to foster homes.

(c) In addition to the locations specified in the regulations established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review, approved smoke detectors required by this section shall be located in all common hallways. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100) for each offense.

23-28.13-35. Repealed.