10A NCAC 70E .1108      Fire and building safety

(a)  Each foster home shall be in compliance with all applicable portions of the NC Residential Code in effect at the time the foster home was constructed or last renovated. Information regarding the purchase of all applicable volumes of The North Carolina State Residential Code and referenced standards and codes, can be accessed by reviewing the following web site: (www.ncdoi.com - click on Code Services, click on Code Book Saleshttp://www.ncdoi.com/OSFM/Engineering/CodeServices/engineering_codeservices_sales.asp) or calling the Code Section within the Department of Insurance at 919-661-5880.

(b)  All homes shall be protected from all fire hazards including the following:

(1)           all hallways, doorways, entrances, ramps, steps, and corridors shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times;

(2)           an evacuation plan shall be developed, and all persons in the home shall be knowledgeable of the plan;

(3)           a mounted "ABC" fire extinguisher with a rating not less than 1-A shall be installed and readily available in the residence;

(4)           homes built prior to July 1975 shall have a battery or electric smoke alarm installed outside every sleeping area. Homes built between July 1975 and June 30, 1999, shall have electric smoke alarms placed outside sleeping areas as required by the NC Residential Code in effect at construction time. Homes built after June 30, 1999 shall have smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside bedrooms and other areas, interconnected as required in the NC Residential Code;

(5)           a Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector shall be installed in homes that use fuel oil products, coal, wood or gas to heat, cool, cook, operate a hot water heater or gas logs;

(6)           all homes shall have telephone service;

(7)           no egress door shall have a double keyed dead bolt; and

(8)           extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Extension cords shall be used only for portable appliances and shall be listed by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).

Before a home is licensed, it shall be inspected and receive a passing rating on the fire and building safety inspection report completed by the local fire inspector. Before a home is relicensed, it shall have a current fire and building safety inspection report with a passing rating completed by the local fire inspector.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-10.1; 131D-10.3; 131D-10.5; 143B-153;

Eff. September 1, 2007;

Amended Eff. November 1, 2009;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. October 3, 2017.