MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

FOR

RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES (R3.1)

If your facility is AMBULATORY ONLY, you may disregard all highlighted items.

Smoke Detectors-shall be hardwired and inter-connected, with battery backup. Smoke detectors shall be located within and outside each room used for
sleeping purposes, and throughout all habitable areas, except kitchens. Smoke detectors shall be located on both sides of a required self-closing door.

Fire Extinguishers-shall be of type 2A:10BC and shall have a current service tag permanently affixed. Extinguishers shall be tested annually by a licensed
contractor. Top of extinguisher to be mounted 3’ to 5’ from floor. A minimum of 1 extinguisher to be located at each of the following locations: kitchen, hallway,
garage, upstairs.

Records-Smoke detector/fire alarm tests and fire/disaster drills shall be conducted monthly, and a written record shall be maintained at your facility.

Emergency Plan- a floor plan shall be located in a prominent location, identifying exits, manual alarms, extinguishers, and any other pertinent information.

Exits-facilities shall have a minimum of 2 exits at remote locations. Bedrooms for use by non-ambulatory shall meet one of the following: 1) Direct exiting from a
bedroom, 2) Egress through a corridor/hallway or area into a bedroom (in the immediate area) which has direct exiting to the exterior, 3) Egress through a
hallway which has direct exiting to the exterior, 4) Egress through an adjoining bedroom which exits to the exterior. Bedroom doors used as exits shall have a
sign stating “EXIT.” Exits through kitchens, bathrooms, closets or garages are not allowed. Exits may pass through kitchens that do not form separate rooms.
(2007 CBC, Sec. 425.8.3.2, 425.8.3.4)

Ramps-Changes in level between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch shall be beveled with a slope no greater than 1 unit vertical in 2 units horizontal (50% slope). Changes
in level greater than 0.5 inch shall be accomplished by means of a ramp. Ramps used as part of a means of egress shall have a running slope not steeper than
one unit vertical in 12 unit’s horizontal (8.33% slope). (2010 CBC, Sec. 425.8.5 & 1127B.5)

Exit Widths- Exit doors shall be not less than 3 feet in width and not less than 6 feet 8 inches in height, and capable of opening at least 90 degrees. The clear
width of the exit way shall not be less than 32 inches.

Corridors/Hallways-The minimum clear width shall be no less than 36 inches at any point. Hallways used for non-ambulatory egress shall be separated from
common areas by a self-closing, self-latching, gasketed, solid wood door, not less than 1-3/8” thick.

Door Locks-all exit doors shall be openable from the inside without the use of a key, or any special knowledge or effort.

Attached Garages- Shall be separated from the dwelling unit and its attic area by means of a minimum 1/2-inch gypsum board applied to the garage side. Door
openings between a private garage and the dwelling unit shall be equipped with either solid wood doors or solid honeycomb core steel doors not less than 13/8
inches thick. Openings from a garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Doors shall be self-closing and self-latching.

Water Heaters-shall have an earthquake safety strap in place. Repaired heater closet-walls & ceiling shall have minimum ½” gypsum board.

Penetrations-All ceiling and wall penetrations shall be repaired with a minimum ½” gypsum board.

Exit Pathways- Each required accessible means of egress shall be 36” wide minimum, all weather, continuous to a public way, free from obstruction and shall
consist of one or more of the following components: access routes, exit stairways, elevators, platform lifts, horizontal exits, ramps, and/or areas of refuge.

Construction-R-3.1 occupancies shall not be less than 1-hr. fire resistive construction throughout if they house clients above the first story. R-3.1 occupancies
shall be provided with a non-fire resistance constructed floor separation at stairs which will prevent smoke migration between floors. Construction shall be
equivalent to ½” gypsum wallboard on one side of the wall studs. Openings shall be protected by positive latching, smoke gasketed doors that are automatic self-
closing by smoke detection. A floor separation need not be provided if at least one exterior exit is provided for clients above the 1st floor, or If the building is
protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system.

*Please refer to the most recent California Building Code AND your local Building and Safety Office for specific code and permit requirements.

(2013 CBC, Sec. 425.3.2, 425.8.7)