Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 51 - Enterprise Services, Department of (Building Code Council)
Chapter 51-51 - State Building Code adoption and amendment of the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code
Section 51-51-0331 - Section R331-Family home child care

Wash. Admin. Code § 51-51-0331

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Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024
Section 51-51-0331 - Section R331-Family home child care
R331.1Family home child care. For family home child care with more than six children, each floor level used for family child care purposes shall be served by two remote means of egress. Exterior exit doors shall be operable from the inside without the use of keys or any special knowledge or effort.

Basements located more than 4 feet below grade level shall not be used for family home child care unless one of following conditions exist:

1. Stairways from the basement open directly to the exterior of the building without entering the first floor;
2. One of the two required means of egress discharges directly to the exterior from the basement level, and a self-closing door is installed at the top or bottom of the interior stair leading to the floor above;
3. One of the two required means of egress is an operable window or door, approved for emergency escape or rescue, that opens directly to a public street, public alley, yard or exit court; or
4. An automatic residential sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

Floors located more than 4 feet above grade level shall not be occupied by children in family home child care.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Use of toilet facilities while under supervision of an adult staff person;

2. Family home child care may be allowed on the second story if one of the following conditions exists:

2.1. Stairways from the second story open directly to the exterior of the building without entering the first floor;

2.2. One of the two required means of egress discharges directly to the exterior from the second story level, and a self-closing door is installed at the top or bottom of the interior stair leading to the floor below; or

2.3. An automatic residential sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

Every sleeping or napping room in a family home child care shall have at least one operable window for emergency rescue.

EXCEPTION:

Sleeping or napping rooms having doors leading to two separate means of egress, or a door leading directly to the exterior of the building.

Rooms or spaces containing a commercial-type cooking kitchen, boiler, maintenance shop, janitor closet, laundry, woodworking shop, flammable or combustible storage, or painting operation shall be separated from the family home child care area by at least 1-hour fire-resistant construction.

EXCEPTION:

A fire-resistant separation shall not be required where the food preparation kitchen contains only a domestic cooking range, and the prepod does not result in the production of smoke or grease laden vapors.

Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of new construction per Section R314. In addition to the required smoke alarms, a heat alarm shall be provided in each kitchen.

R331.2 Additional requirements for family home child care with thirteen to sixteen children. In addition to the requirements of Section 331.1 the provisions of this section shall apply to family home child care with thirteen to sixteen children.
R331.2.1Illumination in the event of power failure. In addition to illumination requirements of Section R311.7.9, an artificial light source that activates upon termination of building power supply shall be installed at all interior stairs serving child care areas.
R331.2.2Exterior exit doors serving child care areas. Exterior exit doors serving child care areas shall comply with the requirements of Sections R311.2 and R311.3.
R331.3Sprinklers. An automatic residential sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with Section P2904 or NFPA 13D.

EXCEPTION:

Subject to approval of the code official, a sprinkler system is not required where all of the following conditions are met:

1. Child care areas are located on a floor within 4 feet of grade level;

2. Each room used for child care shall have a door compliant with Section R311.2 and R311.3, leading directly to the exterior of the building. The exterior landing at the door shall comply with Section R311.3 but need not comply with Section R311.3.1.

Wash. Admin. Code § 51-51-0331

Adopted by WSR 20-03-023, Filed 1/6/2020, effective 7/1/2020
Amended by WSR 24-04-035, Filed 1/30/2024, effective 3/15/2024