Section 400.10623. Means of egress.

(1) Means of egress in a residential group home facility shall be considered the entire way and method of passage to free and safe ground outside a facility. All required means of egress shall be maintained in an unobstructed, well- defined, easily traveled condition at all times.

(2)   There shall be not less than 2 means of egress from the street floor story. At least 1 of the 2 means of egress shall be through a side-hinged door. The door shall be a minimum of 30 inches wide, except as provided in R 400.10625. The second means of egress may be a sliding glass door.

(3)    A second story shall only be used by ambulatory residents and shall be in compliance with 1 of the following requirements:

(a)    Have 2 open stairways that are separated by not less than 50% of the longest dimension of the story.

(b)    Have 1 open interior stairway and 1 exterior stairway or fire escape that are separated by not less than 50% of the longest dimension of the story. An exterior stairway or fire escape does not require protection from fire in the building. An exterior stairway or fire escape shall be constructed of not less than 2-inch nominal lumber and be in good  repair.

(c)    Have 1 interior stairway and all floors separated by materials which afford at least a 3/4-hour-fire-resistance rating. The doors separating floors shall be at least 1 3/4-inch solid-core wood and shall be equipped with latching hardware and self-closing devices. Each sleeping room on the second story shall have a window which is not less than 5 square feet and which does not have a dimension that is less than 22 inches to allow for emergency rescue.

(4)   A basement that is used by residents shall have at least 1 means of egress, which may be a stairway. The stairway may be an open stairway, except as required by the provisions of subrule (3)(c) of this rule.

History: 1992 AACS.