Purpose

This fire safety information sheet provides a summary of the major code requirements based on the 2020 Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) and the 2020 Minnesota Building Code (MBC) that apply to adult day services centers.

This sheet does not contain all requirements that may apply. These occupancies are required to be designed by a design professional in accordance with Minnesota Statute 326.2 and Minnesota Rules 1800.5200.

Prospective providers must contact the state DHS Licensor and apply for licensing prior to requesting the fire inspection required under MS 245A.

Occupancy classifications

Adult day services centers code requirements are determined by the occupancy classification they fall in. Please read carefully to determine where your facility fits within the different classifications.

Classification of adult day services centers (Non-Residential)

• Educational (E) Occupancy- 6 or more occupants- but have no more than 50% of the occupants who are not capable of self-preservation. See MSFC 8102 for additional requirements.
  • Sprinkler system when area exceeds 12,000 square feet or is located on a floor other than a level of exit discharge (MSFC 903.2.3).
  • Fire alarm and detection if services are provided to participants not capable of self- preservation (MSFC 8102.1.3).
  • Portable fire extinguisher required in accordance with MSFC Section 906. 
• Institutional (I-4) Occupancy- 6 or more occupants, all may – or may not be capable of self- preservation. 
  • Sprinkler system required unless area meets exception where every care room is provided with an exit at the level of exit discharge (MSFC 903.2.6).
  •  Portable fire extinguisher required in accordance with MSFC Section 906.

Centers serving participants both capable and not capable of self preservation

Centers serving a population that includes both participants who are capable and participants who are not capable of taking appropriate action for self-preservation under emergency conditions shall meet the occupancy requirements for Group I-4 or E occupancy. Should the facility become an E occupancy, the center shall meet all the requirements set forth below (not applicable for I-4 occupancies):

• Population – Not more than 50% of the center’s licensed capacity shall be made up of participants who are not capable of taking appropriate action for self-preservation under emergency conditions.
• Fire alarm and detection – The center shall be protected with a complete automatic fire detection system consisting of automatic smoke detection in all corridors and at the top of all stairways and automatic detection in boiler rooms, furnace rooms, kitchens, storage rooms, janitor’s closets, laundry rooms and other hazardous areas. In building equipped with manual fire alarm systems, the manual fire alarm and automatic detection systems shall be electrically interconnected.
• Evacuation time – The center shall demonstrate the ability to evacuate the entire population of the center within three minutes.

Existing adult day services centers

Constructed prior to March 31, 2020

Existing adult day services centers are required to meet the minimum requirements specified in the 2020 MSFC for existing buildings. Compliance with previous editions of the MSFC may be considered as an acceptable alternative. Any change in capacity or use may trigger compliance with the requirements for new buildings.

Means of egress

• I-4 occupancy. Access to at least two exits shall be provided for rooms or spaces where care is provided for more than 10 people of any age (room or space exceeds 350 square feet).
• E occupancy. Access to at least two exits shall be provided for rooms or spaces where care is provided for more than 49 adults. 
• Means of egress in existing centers that comply with codes that were in effect at the time of construction or comply with MSFC Section 1104 may be considered as complying if, in the opinion of the code official, they do not constitute a distinct hazard (MSFC 1104). Any change in capacity or use may trigger compliance with the requirements for new buildings.
• Occupant load – The occupant load of a room or space is determined by dividing its area by 35 (MSFC Table 1004.5)
• Common path of egress travel – The means of egress shall be such that the maximum travel distance from any point within a building to a point where two separate and distinct paths of egress travel are available shall not exceed 75 feet (MSFC Table 1006.2.1)
• Exit access travel distance - Exits shall be located so that the maximum length of exit access travel, measured from any point within a building to an exit or the entrance of an exit component along the natural and unobstructed path of egress travel, shall not exceed the following distances listed in MSFC Table 1017.2.
  • E Occupancy – 200 feet without sprinklers or 250 feet with sprinkler system
  • I-4 Occupancy – 150 feet without sprinklers or 200 feet with sprinkler system
• Locks and latches - Exit doors shall be openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort (MSFC 1010.1.9). Door handles, pulls, latches, locks and other operating devices on doors shall only require a single operation to release the door from the egress side (MSFC 1010.1.9.1).
• Panic and fire exit hardware – Exit doors serving group E occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or more require any locking or latching hardware to be panic hardware. (MSFC 1010.1.10).
• Means of egress illumination – The means of egress in all buildings shall be illuminated at all times the building is occupied and must be provided with a backup power supply (MSFC 1008 and MSFC 1104).
• Means of egress identification – Exit and exit access doors shall be marked by approved exit signs readily visible from any direction of egress travel in rooms or areas requiring more than one exit or exit access. Exit signs shall be placed such that no point in an exit access corridor is more than 100 feet from the nearest visible exit sign. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated at all times and shall have an approved back-up power source (MSFC 1013 and MSFC 1104).
• Means of egress obstructions – Obstructions shall not be placed in the required width of the means of egress and the required capacity of the means of egress system shall not be diminished along the path of egress (MSFC 1031).
• Other means of egress requirements – For all other egress requirements such as but not limited to doors, exit width, dead end corridors, egress through intervening spaces refer to MBC Chapter 10.
• Fire resistive construction – Required fire resistive construction and occupancy separation shall be in accordance with the 2020 MBC and maintained in accordance with the 2020 MSFC.
• Interior finish – All interior finish products (including padded crash mats attached to walls) shall comply with the requirements of MSFC Chapter 8.

Carbon monoxide detection

Carbon monoxide detection shall be installed in all new Group E and Group I-4 occupancies per the information on this carbon monoxide page.