Section 12-H-K03. MEANS OF EGRESS

 

K103.1  Means of egress.  The means of egress from each level of the one or two family dwelling unit used as a home day care occupancy shall comply with this section.

 

K103.1.1 Below grade level.  Below grade levels shall be provided with two means of egress, one of which shall consist of an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior.

 

Exception: One and two family dwelling units used as a home day care occupancy where the occupancy is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section R313 of the Residential Code or Section 903.2.8 of the Fire Code, as applicable, shall provide an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior.

 

K103.1.2  At grade level 9 occupants or less.  At grade levels with an occupant load of 9 or less shall be provided with an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior and a means of escape in compliance with Section R310 of the Residential Code.

 

Exception:  One and two family dwelling units used as a home day care occupancy equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section R313 of the Residential Code or Section 903.2.8 of the Fire Code, as applicable, need only provide an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior.

 

K103.1.3 At grade level more than 9 occupants.  At grade levels with an occupant load of more than 9 shall be provided with two means of egress one of which shall be an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior.

 

K103.1.4 Second story 9 occupants or less.  The second story with an occupant load of 9 or less shall be provided with a means of exit access and a means of escape in compliance with Section R310 of the Residential Code.

 

K103.1.5 Second story more than 9 occupants.  The second story with an occupant load of more than 9 shall be provided with two means of egress one of which shall be an exit door that provides direct access to the exterior.

 

Exception:  One and two family dwelling units used as a home day care occupancy equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section R313 of the Residential Code or Section 903.2.8 of the Fire Code, as applicable, need not only provide means of exit access and a means of escape in compliance with Section R310 of the Residential Code.

 

K103.1.6 Third story.  The third story of a one or two-family dwelling or townhouse shall not be used as a home day care occupancy.

 

Exception: Where the dwelling unit used as a home day care occupancy is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section R313 of the Residential Code or Section 903.2.8 of the Fire Code, as applicable, and the third story is provided with a means of exit access and a means of escape in compliance with Section R310 of the Residential Code.

 

K103.2  Yards. If the yard is to be used as part of the home day care operation it shall be fenced in accordance with K103.2.

 

K103.2.1 Type of fence and hardware. The fence shall be of durable materials and be at least 6 feet (1529 mm) tall, completely enclosing the area used for the day care operations. Each opening shall be a gate or door equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device to be installed at a minimum of 5 feet (1528 mm) above the ground.

Exception: The door of any dwelling which forms part of the enclosure need not be equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices.

 

K103.2.2 Construction of fence. Openings in the fence, wall or enclosure required by this section shall have intermediate rails or an ornamental pattern that do not allow a sphere 4 inches (102 mm) in diameter to pass through. In addition, the following criteria must be met:

 

1. The maximum vertical clearance between grade and the bottom of the fence, wall or enclosure shall be 2 inches (51 mm).

 

2. Solid walls or enclosures that do not have openings, such as masonry or stone walls, shall not contain indentations or protrusions, except for tooled masonry joints.

 

3. Maximum mesh size for chain link fences shall be 11/4 inches (32 mm) square, unless the fence has slats at the top or bottom which reduce the opening to no more than 13/4inches (44 mm). The wire shall not be less than 9 gage [0.148 inch (3.8 mm)].

 

K103.2.3. Decks. Decks that are more than 12 inches (305 mm) above grade shall have a guard in compliance with Section R312 of the Residential Code.

 

K103.3  Type of lock and latches for exits. Regardless of the occupant load served, exit doors shall be capable of being opened from the inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. When the occupant load is 10 or less, a night latch, dead bolt or security chain may be used, provided such devices are capable of being opened from the inside without the use of a key or tool, and mounted at a height not to exceed 48 inches (1219 mm) above the finished floor. 

 

K103.4  Landings. Landings for stairways and doors shall comply with Section R311 of the Residential Code, except that landings shall be required for the exterior side of a sliding door when a home day care is being operated in a Group R-3 occupancy.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl. & 2016 Supp.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 63 DCR 15739 (December 23, 2016).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Fire Code (2013), referred to as the “Fire Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Fire Code as amended by the District of Columbia Fire Code Supplement (2013) (12 DCMR H). The International Fire Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at:http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ifc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000003&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.