The Center would be classified under NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as a Board
and Care facility. With over 20 residents, it would be considered a large facility. An
important consideration in determining the level of fire protection necessary for an individual
board and care facility is the capability of the occupants to exit the building on
their own, or with the assistance of attendants. The faster and more self reliant the population
of a facility is, the less encompassing1 the fire protection features must be.
Exiting capability is classified as “prompt”, “slow” or “impractical”. Prompt exiting
capability indicates that residents would be expected to evacuate the building in similar
time parameters as the general population.
The Life Safety Code identifies certain fire protection features that are required
in a large Board and Care facility. These include a fire alarm and detection system with
audible alarm signaling devices, smoke detectors in public areas, corridors and sleeping
rooms, and manual pull stations. It would also require separation of sleeping rooms
from corridors and public spaces.
Smoke barriers are required by the Life Safety Code between sleeping rooms
and corridors and other common spaces. Doors from sleeping rooms to corridors must
be equipped with self-closing devices. Such devices had been installed on the sleeping
room doors in the Center, however, the effectiveness of the closing devices was negated
by strips of cloth tied between door knobs across the lockplate which prevented the
doors from latching.
The Center, with its population of able-bodied healthy adults, would most likely
classify as a prompt evacuation capability, and as such, a sprinkler system would not be
required. A partial sprinkler system had been installed in the first floor lobby, but did
not discharge during the fire. It was not a factor due to the location of the fire.
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