Section R. 400.8525 - ExitsRule 525.
(1) Except as referenced in R 400.8515(4)(b) and subdivision (c) of this subrule each occupied floor shall have not less than 2 approved exits directly to the outside with proper termination to grade, remote from each other by 50% of the longest dimension of the floor or area served, and occupied rooms within the center shall be located between means of egress, unless a first floor, self-contained, occupied room has an approved exit direct to the outside with proper termination to grade with a maximum travel distance of 50 feet from the most remote point in the room to the exit.(2) Travel distance to an exit shall be as follows:(a) For infants and toddlers, travel shall be 50 feet or less from the door of the occupied room to the exit.(b) For preschoolers and school-agers, travel shall be 100 feet or less from the door of the occupied room to the exit.(c) Buildings having complete automatic sprinkler protection may increase their travel distances by 50 feet.(d) Those areas approved before July 1, 2000 are exempt from the requirements of this rule.(3) For all centers initially licensed after December 6, 2006, programs with infants and toddlers shall have exits with proper termination and within 30 inches of grade or exits properly ramped to grade.(4) Exit doors and all doors in the means of egress shall be side-hinged and equipped with knob, lever-type, non-locking-against-egress, or panic-type hardware.(5) Exit doors and doors in rooms occupied by 21 or more children shall swing in the direction of egress.(6) Means of egress shall be maintained in an unobstructed, easily traveled condition at all times that the center is in operation. Means of egress shall not be exposed to inherent hazards of the building, including the heating plant, flammable storage, commercial kitchen, or other similar conditions.(7) In new construction, additions, remodeling, and conversions, there shall be a floor or landing on each side of an exit door. The floor or landing shall be at the same elevation on each side of the door, except for variations in elevation due to differences in finish materials, which shall not exceed 1/2 inch.(8) In conversions, landings shall have a width not less than the width of the stairway or the width of the door, whichever is greater. Landings shall have a length not less than the width of the door.(9) In new construction, additions, and remodeling, landings shall comply with the latch-side clearance requirements of sections 404.2.3 to 404.2.3.5 of the International Code Council/American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI) standard A117.1, Accessible and Usable Buildings and Facilities which is adopted by reference in this International Code Council at www.iccsafe.org or 1-800-786-4452 at a cost of $47.50. They are also available for inspection at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Child Care Division, 611 West Ottawa Street, Lansing, MI 48933.(10) For new construction, additions and remodeling, an exit door shall be not less than 36 inches wide. Doors to multiple-use bathrooms shall not be less than 32 inches wide.(11) For the conversion of an existing building, exterior exit doors shall be not less than 36 inches wide. Other use room doors shall be not less than 28 inches wide. Single-use toilet room doors shall not be less than 24 inches wide. Any remodeled door openings, other than the door swing, shall comply with subrule (10) of this rule.(12) Centers licensed before December 7, 2006 may retain previously approved door widths.(13) Exterior exits shall be marked or denoted by an approved exit sign. All exit signs shall be distinctive in color and provide contrast with decorations, interior finish, or other signs. Each exit sign shall have the word "EXIT" in plain, legible letters not less than 6 inches high, on a background of contrasting color, with strokes not less than 3/4-inch wide. The word "EXIT" shall have letters that are not less than 2 inches wide, except the letter "I".(14) Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated at all times. To ensure continued illumination for a duration of not less than 90 minutes, in case of primary power loss, the sign illumination means shall be connected to an emergency power system provided from storage batteries, unit equipment, or an on-site generator.(15) When nighttime care is provided, the center shall have exits with proper termination and within 30 inches of grade or exits properly ramped to grade.(16) When nighttime care is provided, exit signs shall be illuminated, and emergency lighting provided at exits.Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.8525
2013 AACS; 2020 MR 23, Eff. 12/18/2019