Day Care Occupancy Plan Correction List

For IBC 2021 Edition

This list is be used in conjunction with the attached General Correction List. Note that this correction list is not all inclusive. See additional items on the General Correction List.

In the event of conflict between codes requirement(s), the more stringent limitation or requirement shall prevail.

Plans are reviewed for compliance with the State of Tennessee Adopted Codes in accordance with the following:  Rule 0780-02-02-.01, Rule 0780-02-01-.02, and T.C.A. 68-120-204.

Items listed in Plans Review require correction by formal documentation such as revised sealed plans and details, addenda, field orders, or change orders before a Plans Approval is issued for construction.  Answers in letter form only are not acceptable unless to explain where the code compliance changes have been made in the plans.  Starting construction before plans approval may be considered as just cause, by the State, to issue a Stop Work Order.  Rule 0780-02-03-.02(1)

Procedures

  1. Provide the following information on the cover sheet of the plans:
    1. The number of clients for which the day care will be licensed for
    2. The state licensing agency and facility license number.
      1. Licensed capacity shall be designated on the license.
      2. Verify a child day care license. https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/WebProviderList_TN_NID.xlsx
      3. Verify an adult daycare.  https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/ADS%20Provider%20List%209.2.24.pdf
    3. The number of clients aged 2-1/2 years or less
    4. The number of clients older than 2-1/2 years
    5. The number of adult clients (in adult daycares)
    6. For each classroom designate:
      1. The age range of the clients
      2. The maximum number of clients 
    7. Whether the clients are / are not capable of responding to an emergency without physical assistance from the staff.
    8. Will there be clients or staff with mobility impairments?
    9. Will this project meet state adopted accessibility codes? Tennessee Public Buildings Accessibility Act TCA 68-120-200
      IBC 107.1, 107.2.1, ADA 2010    

Occupancy Classification

  1. This group shall be classified as I-4, when buildings and structures are occupied by more than five persons of any age who receive custodial care for fewer than 24 hours per day by persons other than parents or guardians, relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption and in a place other than the home of the person cared for. This group shall include but not be limited to adult day care and child day care.  IBC 308.5
    Alternate classifications—IBC 308.5:
    1. A child day care facility that provides care for more than five but no more than 100 children 2-1/2 years or less of age, where the rooms in which the children are cared for are located on a level of exit discharge serving such rooms and each of these childcare rooms has an exit door directly to the exterior, shall be classified as Group E.  IBC 308.5.1
    2. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.  IBC 308.5.2
    3. A facility having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.  IBC 308.5.3
    4. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having five or fewer persons receiving custodial care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the International Residential Code. IBC 308.5.4
      1. 310.4 Residential Group R-3.  310.4.1 Care facilities within a dwelling.  Care facilities for five or fewer persons receiving care that are within a single-family dwelling are permitted to comply with the International Residential Code provided an automatic sprinkler system is installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 or Section P2904 of the International Residential Code.

Appendix AM 2021 IRC Home Day Care -Occupancy

Occupant load

  1. Provide the total possible occupant load (Table 1004.5) and the actual permitted and/or licensed occupant load.
    1. Day care occupancies licensed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) are calculated with an occupant load of 30 net sq. ft. per client (play space and nap room space). (Rule 1240-04-01-.22 (2))  Day care occupancies other than those licensed by DHS are calculated at 35 net in accordance with IBC Table 1004.1.2.

Special Locking/Latching Requirements

  1. Every door latch to closets, storage areas, kitchens, and other similar spaces or areas shall be such that clients can open the door from inside the space or area. IBC 1010.2,1010.2.6, 1010.2.8
  2. Every bathroom door lock shall be designed to allow opening of the locked door from the outside by opening device that shall be readily accessible to the staff.  IBC 1010.2.8

Means of Egress

  1. Where two exits, exit access doorways, exit access stairways or ramps, or any combination thereof, are required from any portion of the exit access, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the building or area to be served measured in a straight line between them. (Shall be shown on life safety plan)
    Exceptions:
    1. Where interior exit stairways or ramps are interconnected by a 1-hour fire-resistance-rated corridor conforming to the requirements of Section 1020, the required exit separation shall be measured along the shortest direct line of travel within the corridor.
    2. Where a building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the separation distance shall be not less than one-third of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the area served.
      IBC 1007.1.
  2. Where more than one exit or exit access doorway is required, the exit access shall be arranged such that dead-end corridors do not exceed 20 feet in unsprinklered buildings.  Dead-end corridors shall not exceed 50 feet in sprinklered Group E buildings.  IBC 1020.5
  3. Spaces with 50 occupants or more must have not less than 2 means of egress.  IBC Table 1006.2.1
  4. Each floor must have a minimum of two exits.  IBC 1006.2.1
  5. For spaces with one exit or exit access doorway, the common path of egress travel is limited in accordance with Table 1006.2.1:
OccupancyMaximum Occupant Load Of SpaceMaximum Common Path Of Egress Travel Distance (feet)
Without Sprinkler System (feet)With Sprinkler System (feet)
Occupant Load
OL ≤ 30OL > 30
Ac, E49757575a
I-410NPNP75a

NP= Not Permitted

a. Buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. See Section 903 for occupancies where automatic sprinkler systems are permitted in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2.

c. For a room or space used for assembly purposes having fixed seating, see Section 1030.8.

  1. In unsprinklered buildings, interior corridors serving 30 people or more shall be constructed of walls having not less than a 1-hour fire resistance rating with 20-minute fire rated door and hardware assemblies in accordance with IBC Section 708.
    Exceptions:
    1. A fire-resistance rating is not required for corridors in an occupancy in Group E where each room that is used for instruction has not less than one door opening directly to the exterior and rooms for assembly purposes have not less than one-half of the required means of egress doors opening directly to the exterior. Exterior doors specified in this Exception are required to be at ground level.
    2. Corridors adjacent to the exterior walls of buildings shall be permitted to have unprotected openings on unrated exterior walls where unrated walls are permitted by Table 705.5 and unprotected openings are permitted by Table 705.8. IBC 1020.2 & Table 1020.2
  2. Day care facilities, rooms, or spaces where care is provided for more than 10 children that are 2-1/2 years of age or less, shall have access to not less than two exits or exit access doorways.  IBC 1015.6
  3. Corridors serving more than 50 and less than 100 must have no less than 44 inches of clear width.  IBC Table 1020.3
  4. Group E Occupancies having an occupant load of 100 or more must have a minimum width of 72 inches. IBC Table 1020.3
  5. Corridors serving 50 or less must not have less than 44 inches of clear width.  IBC 1020.3 and IBC Table 1020.3

Fire Protection

  1. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group I (IBC 903.2.6) or Group R (IBC 903.2.8) fire area.
  2. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided for day care occupancies in accordance with IBC Sections 903.2.3 and 903.2.6 as follows:
    1. The Group E fire area is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge serving such occupancies.
      Exception:  In buildings where every classroom has not fewer than one exterior exit door at ground level, an automatic sprinkler system is not required in any area below the lowest level of exit discharge serving that area.
    2. The Group E fire area has an occupant load of 300 or more.
    3. Throughout all Group E fire areas greater than 12,000 square feet in area.
      IBC 903.2.3
  3. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout buildings with a Group I fire area.
    Exceptions:
    1. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.2 (NFPA 13R) shall be permitted in Group I-1, Condition 1 facilities.
    2. An automatic sprinkler system is not required where Group I-4 day care facilities are at the level of exit discharge and where every room where care is provided has not fewer than one exterior exit door.
    3. In buildings where Group I-4 day care is provided on levels other than the level of exit discharge, an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 (NFPA 13) shall be installed on the entire floor where care is provided, all floors between the level of care and the level of exit discharge, and all floors below the level of exit discharge other than areas classified as an open parking garage.
      IBC 903.2.6
  4.  An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3 shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R fire area. 903.2.8.1 Group R3 An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.3 NFPA 13D shall be permitted in Group R-3 occupancies. 

Electrical

  1. In the event of power supply failure in buildings that require two or more exits or access to exits, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas: IBC 1008.3.2
    1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps.
    2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
    3. Exit passageways.
    4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.2.
    5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.5 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.
  2. In the event of power supply failure in rooms and spaces that require two or more exits or access to exits, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
    1. Aisles.
    2. Corridors.
    3. Exit access stairways and ramps.
      IBC 1008.3.1
  3. Current supply shall be such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or within, the building or group of buildings concerned, emergency lighting, emergency power, or both shall be available within the time required for the application but not to exceed 10 seconds. The supply system for emergency purposes, in addition to the normal services to the building and meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be one or more of the types of systems described in 700.12(C) through (H). Unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(H) shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article. Emergency illumination shall include means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other luminaires specified as necessary to provide required illumination. For branch circuits that supply equipment classed as emergency, there shall be an emergency system supply source to which the load will be transferred automatically upon the failure of the normal supply. IBC 1008.3, NFPA 70 700.12, 700.16, 700.18
  4. Illumination shall be provided in the means of egress in accordance with Section 1008.2. Under emergency power, means of egress illumination shall comply with Section 1008.3. IBC 1008.1
  5. Exits and exit access doors shall be marked by an approved exit sign readily visible from any direction of egress travel. The path of egress travel to exits and within exits shall be marked by readily visible exit signs to clearly indicate the direction of egress travel in cases where the exit or the path of egress travel is not immediately visible to the occupants. Intervening means of egress doors within exits shall be marked by exit signs. Exit sign placement shall be such that any point in an exit access corridor or exit passageway is within 100 feet (30 480 mm) or the listed viewing distance of the sign, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign. IBC 1013.1
  6. Raised character and braille exit signs/tactile exit signage Where exit signs are provided at an area of refuge with direct access to a stairway, an exterior area for assisted rescue, an exit stairway or ramp, an exit passageway, a horizontal exit and the exit discharge, a sign stating "EXIT" in visual characters, raised characters and braille, and complying with ICC A117.1 shall be provided. IBC 1013.4
  7. Exit signs shall be illuminated at all times. To ensure continued illumination for a duration of not less than 90 minutes in case of primary power loss, the sign illumination means shall be connected to an emergency power system provided from storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Chapter 27.
    Exception: Approved exit sign illumination types that provide continuous illumination independent of external power sources for a duration of not less than 90 minutes, in case of primary power loss, are not required to be connected to an emergency electrical system. IBC 1013.6.3, NFPA 70 700.12(F)
  8. Each childcare agency, as defined in § 71-3-501, in this state shall have installed in each room of the childcare agency where care is provided to children a carbon monoxide alarm that is listed according to the International Building Code and International Fire Code for the purpose of carbon monoxide detection. TN Public Chapter 733 - DHS has requested we do all Daycare inspections.  Therefore, upgrades to alarms for less than 50 occupants (field inspectors) and between 50-99 occupants shall require only shop drawings not design intent drawings and be transferred to the field.
  9. An approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72 shall be provided in new buildings and structures in accordance with Sections 907.2.1 through 907.2.23 and provide occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5 unless other requirements are provided by another section of this code.
  10. Not fewer than one manual fire alarm box shall be provided in an approved location to initiate a fire alarm signal for fire alarm systems employing automatic fire detectors or waterflow detection devices. Where other sections of this code allow elimination of fire alarm boxes due to sprinklers, a single fire alarm box shall be installed.
    Exceptions:
    1. The manual fire alarm box is not required for fire alarm systems dedicated to elevator recall control and supervisory service.
    2. The manual fire alarm box is not required for Group R-2 occupancies unless required by the fire code official to provide a means for fire watch personnel to initiate an alarm during a sprinkler system impairment event. Where provided, the manual fire alarm box shall not be located in an area that is open to the public. IBC 907.2
  11. A manual fire alarm system that initiates the occupant notification signal utilizing an emergency voice/alarm communication system meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall be installed in Group E occupancies. Where automatic sprinkler systems or smoke detectors are installed, such systems or detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system. IBC 907.2.3
    Exceptions:
    1. A manual fire alarm system shall not be required in Group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less.
    2. Emergency voice/alarm communication systems meeting the requirements of Section 907.5.2.2 and installed in accordance with Section 907.6 shall not be required in Group E occupancies with occupant loads of 100 or less, provided that activation of the manual fire alarm system initiates an approved occupant notification signal in accordance with Section 907.5.
    3. Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:
      1. Interior corridors are protected by smoke detectors.
      2. Auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and similar areas are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
      3. Shops and laboratories involving dusts or vapors are protected by heat detectors or other approved detection devices.
      4. Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.
    4. Manual fire alarm boxes shall not be required in Group E occupancies where all of the following apply:
      1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.
      2. The emergency voice/alarm communication system will activate on sprinkler waterflow.
      3. Manual activation is provided from a normally occupied location.
    5. Daycare occupancies - Group A.
      A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group A occupancies where the occupant load due to the assembly occupancy is 300 or more, or where the Group A occupant load is more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge. Group A occupancies not separated from one another in accordance with Section 707.3.10 shall be considered as a single occupancy for the purposes of applying this section. Portions of Group E occupancies occupied for assembly purposes shall be provided with a fire alarm system as required for the Group E occupancy.
      Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and the occupant notification appliances will activate throughout the notification zones upon sprinkler water flow.
      IBC 907.2.1
    6. A manual fire alarm system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be installed in Group I occupancies. An automatic smoke detection system that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be provided in accordance with Sections 907.2.6.1, 907.2.6.2 and 907.2.6.3.3. IBC 907.2.6
    7. A smoke detection system shall be installed in day-care occupancies. IBC 907.2.1, 907.3, 907.6
    8. Where a fire alarm system is required by another section of this code, occupant notification in accordance with Section 907.5 shall be initiated by one or more of the following. Initiating devices shall be installed in accordance with Sections 907.4.1 through 907.4.3.1.
      1. Manual fire alarm boxes.
      2. Automatic fire detectors.
      3. Automatic sprinkler system waterflow devices.
      4. Automatic fire-extinguishing systems.
        IBC 907.4
    9. All 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in the areas specified in 406.12(1) through (7) shall be listed tamper-resistant receptacles.
      1. Dwelling units in all areas specified in 210.52 and 550.13
      2. Guest rooms and guest suites of hotels and motels
      3. Childcare facilities
      4. Preschools and elementary education facilities
      5. Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices and outpatient facilities
      6. Subset of assembly occupancies described in 518.2 to include places of waiting transportation, gymnasiums, skating rinks, and auditoriums
        406.12 Tamper-Resistant Receptacles.

Mechanical

  1. Unvented room heaters shall not be installed within occupancies in Groups A, E and I. The location of unvented room heaters shall also comply with IFGC 621.4.  Appliances shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms, toilet rooms, storage closets or surgical rooms, or in a space that opens only into such rooms or spaces, except where the installation complies with one of the following (IFGC 303.3):
    1. The appliance is a direct-vent appliance installed in accordance with the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer’s instructions.
    2. Vented room heaters, wall furnaces, vented decorative appliances, vented gas fireplaces, vented gas fireplace heaters and decorative appliances for installation in vented solid fuel-burning fireplaces are installed in rooms that meet the required volume criteria of Section 304.5.
    3. A single wall-mounted unvented room heater is installed in a bathroom and such unvented room heater is equipped as specified in Section 621.6 and has an input rating not greater than 6,000 Btu/h (1.76 kW). The bathroom shall meet the required volume criteria of Section 304.5.
    4. A single wall-mounted unvented room heater is installed in a bedroom and such unvented room heater is equipped as specified in Section 621.6 and has an input rating not greater than 10,000 Btu/h (2.93 kW). The bedroom shall meet the required volume criteria of Section 304.5.
    5. The appliance is installed in a room or space that opens only into a bedroom or bathroom, and such room or space is used for no other purpose and is provided with a solid weather-stripped door equipped with an approved self-closing device. All combustion air shall be taken directly from the outdoors in accordance with Section 304.6.
  2. Unvented fuel-fired heating equipment, other than gas space heaters in compliance with NFPA ANSI Z21.11.2, National Fuel Gas Code, shall be prohibited. IFGC 621.4
  3.  Provide commercial kitchen hood ventilation system Design Intent information by a Tennessee registered engineer.  See the attached Hood and Duct Design Intent correction list. IBC 107.1 and IFC 606.1