Section R. 400.1943 - Exit requirements for each floor level used by childrenRule 43.
(1) A child care home shall have at least 2 remotely located exits for every floor level occupied by children.(2) At least 1 exit from each floor level must provide a direct, safe means of unobstructed travel to the outside at street or ground level.(3) A window may be used as a second exit if it complies with all of the following provisions: (a) Is accessible to children and personnel.(b) Is clearly identified.(c) Can be readily opened.(d) Is of a size and design to allow for the evacuation of all children and personnel.(4) If a level of a home that is above the second floor is used for children in care, then the building must be of 1-hour-fire-resistive construction and must have 2 stairways to ground level. At least 1 of the required stairways and all other vertical openings must be enclosed by, at a minimum, 1-hour-fire-resistive construction to provide a protected means of egress direct to the outside at ground level.(5) All exits must be unobstructed and accessible at all times.(6) The means of egress must be adequately lit at all times that children are in care.(7) Doors located in a required path of escape must be readily openable from the side of egress without the use of a key or special knowledge. Double cylinder locks, key-operated locks, and similar devices are not allowed on any door in a required path of escape.(8) Interior door hardware must be designed to allow opening from the outside during an emergency if locked.(9) All closet door latches must be of the design so that children can open the door from inside the closet.(10) A room or space, including an attic, that is accessible only by a ladder or folding stairway or through a trapdoor must not be used by children in care.(11) For a basement window exit that is over 44 inches above floor level and approved prior to January 1, 2006, only steps and platforms must be used to access the window exit, and they must be permanently secured to the wall or floor. Ladders must not be used as a means for exiting.(12) An emergency escape window to the outside is required for basements approved for child use after January 1, 2006. All of the following provisions apply: (a) The total unobstructed window area for egress must be at least 5 square feet.(b) The unobstructed opening must be at least 20 inches wide.(c) The unobstructed opening must be at least 24 inches high.(d) The bottom of the opening must be not more than 44 inches above the floor.(e) If the sill height is below grade, then it must open into a window well with at least 9 square feet of area, 3 feet in length and 3 feet in width. The area of the window well must allow the emergency escape window to be fully opened. If the well depth is over 44 inches, then it must have permanently affixed steps that are approved by the local building inspector.Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.1943
2005 AACS; 2009 AACS; 2020 MR 23, Eff. 12/13/2019