Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released two announcements: C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space).

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According to OCDEL, the purpose of the announcements are to describe the fire safety requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care programs.

All DHS certified group child care homes (in a residence) and family child care homes must maintain compliance with the applicable fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code; the Fire and Panic Act (family child care homes only); the Pennsylvania Construction Code; and applicable regulations relating to smoke alarms or systems. Smoke alarms or systems must always be operable.

All DHS certified child care centers and group child care homes (in a commercial space) must maintain compliance with the applicable fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code, the Pennsylvania Construction Code, and applicable regulations relating to fire detection devices or systems. Fire detection devices or systems must always be operable.

The guidance contained in these announcements also applies to school-age programs (in a residence) not located in a school-building pursuant to 55 Pa. Code §3280.221(b)(2).

For full details, please see the Announcements C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space).