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The following are the minimum fire and life safety requirements of the California Code of Regulations for Large Family Daycare homes. This includes care of 9 to 14 children, including the ones who reside there, for periods of less than 24 hours.

ADDRESS: Address numbers shall be a minimum of 3 inches in height or greater if needed to be clearly visible.

SMOKE ALARMS: Provide State Fire Marshal approved smoke alarms in all nap areas and corridors leading to nap areas. Replace batteries at least annually, or as needed. Test alarm monthly and record test results.

EXITS: A minimum of two exits are required. All exit doors shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge. One turn or operation of one lever shall open the door. Dead bolts and chain locks are not allowed

YARD GATES:Yard gates blocking egress to the public way shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort.

BARS: Bars or grills placed over any sleeping room window shall be operable from the inside without the use of a key or special knowledge. Such releasing devices shall be of the approved type and be clearly visible and readily accessible at all times.

INFANT CRIBS: Infants shall be kept in rooms that have a direct or semi-direct exit to the exterior of the building. One emergency crib shall be provided for every four infants. Each crib shall be equipped with 3-inch minimum rubber casters. Ramps required for vertical drops of over one half inch.

GARAGE DOOR: The separation between the garage and the house shall be of materials approved for one-hour construction on the garage side. A self-closing, Solid wood door at least 1 3/8 inches thick must be provided between the house and the garage.

FIRE DRILLS: A written record of the date and hour of each fire drill shall be maintained in the office.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: Provide a State Fire Marshal approved fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 2A10BC. They shall be mounted so the top is between 3 to 5 feet from the floor. A state-licensed company shall service all extinguishers annually.

MULTI-STORY HOMES: Day care is not permitted above the first floor.

DECORATIVE MATERIAL:All decorative material that would tend to increase the fire and panic hazard shall be made from a nonflammable material, or shall be treated and maintained in a flame retardant condition by means of a flame retardant solution or process approved by the State Fire Marshal. (Christmas trees, etc.)

EMERGENCY PLAN: An emergency plan must be provided including evacuation routes from the structure, designated evacuation areas, fire emergency number, and location of the fire extinguishers and pull alarms.

FIRE ALARMS: Provide a device suitable for sounding a continuous fire alarm. The device shall be attached to the structure and be electrically operated. The device shall be audible throughout the structure and have a distinctive tone. A wall mounted, manually activated electric bell is recommended.

FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS: Flammable liquids are not permitted to be stored in the house. The garage area is limited to 10 gallons of storage in approved storage cans only.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING:Every building or portion of a building shall be maintained in a neat, orderly manner, free from any condition which would add to or contribute to the rapid spread of fire.

OCCUPANT LOAD:The occupant load factor to determine how many children can safely occupy a room is the square feet of the room divided by 35. The play area or areas must be 490 square feet or more to meet the minimum requirements to care for 14 children.

LOCAL REQUIREMENTS:Check with Planning or Code Enforcement in the City that you live in. Some cities require a business license and charge a fee.

If you have questions about these requirements, please contact the Fire Prevention Division, Schools and Institutions Unit Office in your area:

Institutions Unit-North Office
14425 Olive View Drive
Sylmar, CA 91342-1437
(818) 362-5472 County of Los Angeles Fire Department

Institutions Unit-South Office
7733 Greenleaf Avenue
Whittier, CA 90602-2195
(562) 696-2034

Institutions Unit-Lancaster Satellite Office
335-A East Avenue K-6
Lancaster, CA 93535
(661) 949-6319 County of Los Angeles Fire Department

Institutions Unit-South Bay Satellite Office
1650 West 162nd Street
Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 217-8396