10A NCAC 13G .0312      OUTSIDE ENTRANCE AND EXITS

(a)  In family care homes, all floor levels shall have at least two exits.  If there are only two, the exit or exit access doors shall be so located and constructed to minimize the possibility that both may be blocked by any one fire or other emergency condition.

(b)  At least one entrance/exit door shall be a minimum width of three feet and another shall be a minimum width of two feet and eight inches.

(c)  At least one principal outside entrance/exit for the residents' use shall be at grade level or accessible by ramp with a one inch rise for each 12 inches of length of the ramp.  For the purposes of this Rule, a principal outside entrance/exit is one that is most often used by residents for vehicular access.  If the home has any resident that must have physical assistance with evacuation, the home shall have two outside entrances/exits at grade level or accessible by a ramp.

(d)  All exit door locks shall be easily operable, by a single hand motion, from the inside at all times without keys.  Existing deadbolts or turn buttons on the inside of exit doors shall be removed or disabled.

(e)  All entrances/exits shall be free of all obstructions or impediments to allow for full instant use in case of fire or other emergency.

(f)  All steps, porches, stoops and ramps shall be provided with handrails and guardrails.

(g)  In homes with at least one resident who is determined by a physician or is otherwise known to be disoriented or a wanderer, each exit door for resident use shall be equipped with a sounding device that is activated when the door is opened.  The sound shall be of sufficient volume that it can be heard by staff.  If a central system of remote sounding devices is provided, the control panel for the system shall be located in the bedroom of the person on call, the office area or in a location accessible only to staff authorized by the administrator to operate the control panel.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-2.16; 143B‑165;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. October 31, 1977;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2005; April 1, 1987; July 1, 1984; April 1, 1984;

Recodified from 10A NCAC 13G .0311 Eff. July 1, 2005.