Daycare Center Fire Inspections

913-888-6066 (Mon.-Fri., 8 am - 5 pm)

The Fire Department inspects all licensed daycare facilities (centers and preschools) within the city. To ensure the safety of children and those who care for them, these facilities must meet applicable fire regulations, including having:

• A fire alarm system and automatic fire detection system unless the center is housed in only one room and/or the occupied rooms and exit paths have interconnected smoke detectors.
• Smoke detectors powered by the building's electrical system. These should be placed on each floor in front of doors to the stairway(s) and in each sleeping room, recreational area and lounge. Exceptions: Centers housed in one room (bathrooms excluded), or those housing children, 6 or older, with no sleeping facilities provided.
• Alarms that can be initiated manually or by smoke detection system, or an existing automatic alarm system powered by the building's electrical system (not battery powered).
• Automatic Fire Department notification if more than 100 people are within the building at any given time.
• Fire extinguishers (typically 2A/10B:C) conspicuously located and readily accessible for immediate use.
• Evacuation procedures, practiced once a month.
• Evacuation routes (diagrams) posted in each classroom, which reflects the actual floor arrangement and a minimum of two alternative exit paths.
• Hazardous storage rooms (more than 450 square feet) separated by one-hour fire resistive construction.
• Electrical receptacles with protective covers (if children are under 6).
• Separated or screened heaters to protect children from hot surfaces.
• At least one window in every room or space (other than the bathroom); windows should be easily opened from the inside without tools or special knowledge.
  
  The sill of the window/door shall be no more than 44" above the finished floor. The window must have a total opening size of 821 square inches.
  
  

  Minimum clear opening dimensions
  Width x Height	Square Inches
  20 x 42 = 840	> 821
  35 x 24 = 840	> 821

  * Except in fully sprinklered buildings

• Closet door latches that allow children to open the door from the inside.
• Bathroom door locks that can be unlocked from the outside.
• Interior finish with a minimum flame spread of Class B (0-75) in stairways, corridor walls and ceilings.
• Emergency lighting at all exit corridors and stairs.
• Basement exiting: If the story below the level of exit discharge is occupied for day care center or preschool activities, one exit door shall be directly to the outside or an enclosed stairway serving only the story below the level of exit discharge. Second means of egress shall be permitted to be via an unenclosed stairway as long as it is separated from the first floor.