(1) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age provider must comply with the state building code, pursuant to RCW
19.27.031.
(2) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age provider must arrange for a fire safety inspection annually. A provider must arrange a fire safety inspection with a local government agency. If a local government agency is not available to conduct a fire safety inspection, a provider must inspect for fire safety using the state fire marshal form.
(3) To ensure a safe environment for children in care, a school-age provider must comply with the following fire safety requirements:
(a) Combustible materials. For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, combustible materials:
(i) Must be properly discarded pursuant to local jurisdictions, removed from the premises, or properly stored in closed plastic or metal containers specifically designed to hold such combustible materials;
(ii) Stored in a closed plastic or metal container must be inaccessible to children in care; and
(iii) Include, but are not limited to, lint, gasoline, natural gas, diesel, fuel, propane, rags soaked in combustible materials, oils, chemicals, or solvents.
(b) Furnaces and other heating devices.
(i) An appliance or heating device that has a surface capable of burning a child or reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit must be inaccessible to children in care unless a program activity involves such an appliance or device and children are being actively supervised;
(ii) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, paper, rubbish, or other combustible materials must be at least three feet from furnaces, fireplaces, or other heating devices; and
(iii) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, furnaces and other heating devices must be inaccessible to children in care.
(c) Electrical motors. For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, electrical motor fans and appliances must be regularly cleaned to prevent accumulation of dust or lint.
(d) Open flame devices, candles, matches, and lighters.
(i) Except for the use of a gas kitchen range, open flame devices must not be used in school-age program space or any other space accessible to children in care during operating hours;
(ii) Candles must not be used during operating hours;
(iii) Matches and lighters must be inaccessible to children.
(e) Portable heaters and generators. Portable heaters or fuel powered generators must not be used inside school-age program space during operating hours.
(i) In case of an emergency, a generator may be used but must be placed at least twenty feet from buildings, windows, doors, ventilation intakes, or other places where exhaust fumes may be vented into the premises or school-age program space; and
(ii) Appliances must be plugged directly into a generator or into a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord that is plugged into a generator.
(f) Fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
(i) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age program must have and maintain at least one smoke detector per floor, unless exempt under WAC
51-50-0907; and
(ii) For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age program must have and maintain carbon monoxide detectors, unless exempt under WAC
51-50-0915.
(g) Backup method to sound an alarm. In addition to working smoke detectors, a school-age provider must have another method to alert all staff and enrolled children of a fire, emergency situation, or drill.
(h) Extinguishers. For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age provider must have and maintain working fire extinguishers that are marked with a minimum rating of 2A:10 BC.
(i) Fire extinguishers must be located pursuant to the state building code chapter
51-54A WAC, and must be readily available for use in case of an emergency;
(ii) Fire extinguishers must be located on each level of the school-age program space used by children and mounted within seventy-five feet of an exit next to the path of the exit; and
(iii) If a fire extinguisher is mounted in a closet, there must be a sign indicating the location of the extinguisher and obstructions must not block access to the closet.
(i) Monthly inspections. For any program that does not operate on public or private school premises, a school-age provider must involve staff responsible for different groups of children or individual classrooms during monthly inspections. At least once per month, a provider must inspect the premises to identify possible fire hazards and eliminate any hazards found including, but not limited to:
(i) Fire extinguishers;
(ii) Smoke detectors;
(iii) Alternate alarms; and
(iv) Emergency lighting.