Section 400.8525. Exits.

(1) Except as referenced in R 400.8515(4)(b) and 400.8525(2)(c), 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 ½ 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 through 404.2.3.5 of the international code council/American national standards institute standard A117.1 (ICC/ANSI  A117.1),   2003,  accessible  and   usable  buildings  and  facilities.   Sections

404.2.3 through 404.2.3.5 of ICC/ANSI A117.1 are hereby adopted by reference. Copies of the adopted matter may be purchased from the international code council at www.iccsafe.org or 1-800-786-4452.

(10)   For new construction, additions and remodeling, an exit door shall be not less than 36 inches in width. Doors to multiple-use bathrooms shall not be less than 32 in width.

(11)   For the conversion of an existing building, exterior exit doors shall be not less than 36 inches in width. Other use room doors shall be not less than 28 inches in width. Single-use toilet room doors shall not be less than 24 inches in width. Any remodeled door openings, other than 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 shall 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 ¾- inch wide.

(14)     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.

(15)   When nighttime care is provided, exit signs shall be illuminated and emergency lighting provided at exits.

History: 2013 AACS.