(1) An early learning provider must comply with the state building code, as now and hereafter amended, pursuant to RCW 19.27.031.

(2) An early learning 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, an early learning provider must comply with the following fire safety requirements:

(a) Combustible materials.

(i) Combustible materials must be properly discarded pursuant to local jurisdictions, removed from the premises, or properly stored in closed metal containers specifically designed to hold such combustible materials;

(ii) Combustible materials stored in a closed metal container must not be stored in the premises licensed space or any place that may be accessible to children in care;

(iii) Combustible materials 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) Paper, rubbish, or other combustible materials must be at least three feet from furnaces, fireplaces, or other heating devices;

(ii) Furnaces and other heating devices must be inaccessible to children in care; and

(iii) 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.

(c) Electrical motors. 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 early learning 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 early learning 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 early learning 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) Fireplaces, woodstoves, or similar wood burning heating devices. Chimneys, fireplaces, gas burning fireplaces, wood stoves or similar wood-burning devices must be inspected annually by a state or locally certified inspector, unless the provider submits to the department a written statement that the chimney, fireplace, wood stove or similar wood-burning device will not be used at any time.

(g) Fire alarms and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

(i) An early learning provider must have and maintain at least one smoke detector per licensed sleeping area and one per floor. Pursuant to the state building code, center early learning providers must comply with WAC 51-50-0907, as now and hereafter amended, and family early learning providers must comply with WAC 51-51-0314, as now and hereafter amended; and

(ii) An early learning provider must have and maintain carbon monoxide detectors. Pursuant to the state building code, center early learning providers must comply with WAC 51-50-0915, as now and hereafter amended, and family early learning providers must comply with WAC 51-51-0315, as now and hereafter amended.

(h) Backup method to sound an alarm. In addition to working smoke detectors, an early learning provider must have another method to alert all staff and enrolled children of a fire, emergency situation, or drill.

(i) Extinguishers. An early learning 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, as now and hereafter amended, and must be readily available for use in case of an emergency;

(ii) Fire extinguishers must be located on each level of the early learning 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.

(j) Monthly inspections. An early learning 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.