North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 10A - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES › Chapter 70 - CHILDREN'S SERVICES › Subchapter I - MINIMUM LICENSING STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL CHILD-CARE › Section .0900 - PHYSICAL PLANT › Section 70I .0902 - DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
(a) Any building
				  licensed for the first time as a residential child-care facility shall meet the
				  applicable requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code. All new
				  construction, additions and renovations to existing buildings shall meet the
				  occupancy requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code as determined
				  by the Division of Health Service Regulation based on the number and age of the
				  licensed children residents and any other dependents of the live-in staff. The
				  North Carolina State Building Code, which is incorporated by reference,
				  including all subsequent amendments can be purchased for one hundred six
				  dollars and twenty-five cents ($106.25) at the following web site:
				  (http://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/CodeServices/engineering_codeservices_sales.asp)
				  or calling 919-681-6550.
(b) Mobile
				  homes, whether mobile or permanently situated, shall not be used for
				  residential child-care facilities.
(c) Each facility shall be planned,
				  constructed, equipped and maintained to provide the services offered in the
				  facility.
(d) Any existing building
				  converted from another use to a residential child-care facility shall meet all
				  the requirements of a new facility.
(e) Any existing licensed residential
				  child-care facility when the license is terminated for more than 60 days shall
				  meet all requirements of a new facility prior to being relicensed.
(f) Any existing licensed residential
				  child-care facility that is closed or vacant for more than one year shall meet
				  all requirements of a new facility prior to being relicensed.
(g) Any existing licensed residential
				  child-care facility that plans to have new construction, remodeling or physical
				  changes done to the facility shall have drawings submitted by the owner or his
				  appointed representative to the Division of Health Service Regulation,
				  Construction Section for review and approval prior to commencement of the
				  work.
(h) The applicant for a
				  resident child-care facility shall consult the local code enforcement official
				  for information on required permits and building code requirements before
				  starting any construction or renovations.
(i) If the building is two stories in height
				  and is classified as a Residential Occupancy, it shall meet the following
				  requirements:
(1) Children less than six years
				  old shall not be housed on any floor other than the level of exit discharge
				  with adult supervision.
(2) A
				  complete fire alarm system with pull stations on each floor and sounding
				  devices which are audible throughout the building shall be provided. The fire
				  alarm system shall be able to transmit an automatic signal to the local
				  emergency fire department dispatch center, either directly or through a central
				  station monitoring company connection.