Bedridden Code Issues in RCFE

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Bedridden Code Issues in RCFEsWorking with
Your Local Fire Authority

• Douglas Pancake, AIA
• Douglas Pancake Architects

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Bedridden Code Issues in RCFEsTopics of
Discussion

• The Old Code
• Assisted Living Facilities (RCFE, R-2.1)
• Problem areas
• Bedridden in existing facilities
• Construction requirements
• New Building Code (January 1, 2008)
• Assisted Living Facilities (I-1)
• Bedridden
• Construction requirements
• Additions, upgrades, remodeling

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Bedridden Code Issues in RCFEs

• What is the State doing to help with resolving
  issues?
• SFM Residential Care Advisory Committee
• Information Bulletins
• Code Interpretations
• Partnering with State and Local Agencies
• How does the fire service work?
• How can a relationship be built
• Differences in opinionsnever!

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Bedridden Code Issues in RCFEs Old Code
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ANDThe Health and Safety Code
Statue vs. Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
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(No Transcript)
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ANDThe Health and Safety Code
Statue and Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
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6 or Fewer Ambulatory, Non-Ambulatory or
Bedridden

• 2001 CBC Occupancies
• R-2.1.1
• R-2.2,1
• R-2.3.1
• R-6.1.1
• R-6.2.1

• 2007 CBC Occupancies
• R-3.1

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More than 6 Ambulatory Persons (may include up
to 6 non-ambulatory or bedridden)

• 2001 CBC Occupancies
• R-2.2
• R-6.2

• 2007 CBC Occupancies
• R-4

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More than 6 Non-Ambulatory or Bedridden

• 2001 CBC Occupancies
• R-2.1
• R-2.3
• R-6.1

• 2007 CBC Occupancies
• I-1.1

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The definition for R-2.1 is as follows CBC,
SECTION 310.1 - Group R Occupancies Defined.
Group R Occupancies shall be For SFM Division
2.1. Residentially-based, licensed facilities
accommodating more than six nonambulatory
clients. This division may include ambulatory
clients. Licensing categories that may use
this classification include, but are not limited
to Adult Residential Facilities, Congregate
Living Health Facilities, Residential Care
Facilities for the Elderly, Group Homes and
Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically
Ill.
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Statue and Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
The 2001 CBC defines Nonambulatory Persons as
follows (For SFM) NONAMBULATORY PERSONS are
persons unable to leave a building unassisted
under emergency conditions. It includes, but is
not limited to, persons who depend on mechanical
aids such as crutches, walkers and wheelchairs
and any person who is unable to physically and
mentally respond to a sensory signal approved by
the State Fire Marshal or an oral instruction
relating to fire danger. The determination of
ambulatory or nonambulatory status of persons
with developmental disabilities shall be made by
the Director of Social Services or his or her
designated representative, in consultation with
the Director of Developmental Services or his or
her designated representative. The determination
of ambulatory or nonambulatory status of all
other disabled persons placed after January 1,
1984, who are not developmentally disabled shall
be made by the Director of Social Services or his
or her designated representative.
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Statue and Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
The 2001 CBC defines Bedridden Persons as
follows (For SFM) BEDRIDDEN PERSON means a
person confined to a bed, requiring assistance in
turning or unable to independently transfer to
and from bed, and unable to leave a building
unassisted under emergency conditions.
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Statue and Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
CBC, SECTION 308.1 - Group I Occupancies Defined.
Group I Occupancies shall be Division 1.1.
Hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes with
nonambulatory patients for SFM where medical
care is provided, or homes with nonambulatory
guests where medical care is provided, and
similar buildings (each accommodating more that
five patients for SFM six patients).
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Statue and Code (Not necessarily the same thing)
HSC, SECTION 1569.72 (c) Notwithstanding
paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), bedridden
persons may be admitted to, and remain in,
residential care facilities for the elderly that
secure and maintain an appropriate fire
clearance. A fire clearance shall be issued to a
facility in which a bedridden person resides if
either of the following conditions are met (1)
The fire safety requirements are met. (2)
Alternative methods of protection are approved.
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Nonambulatory on the Second Floor
Building standards specifically for two story
RCFEs are described in HSC 13131.5 (b) and are
further codified in the 2001 CBC. If the
building design and construction meets or exceeds
these minimum standards listed below, fire
clearance should be provided. Minimum Standards
required by the HSC are as follows HSC, SECTION
13131.5 (b) All of the following building
standards shall apply to any two-story building
housing nonambulatory persons on a second floor,
which is operated as a residential care facility
for the elderly and licensed to care for more
than six persons The entire building shall have
installed a State Fire Marshal approved fully
automatic fire extinguishing system, designed and
installed in accordance with Section 2-3801 (d)
of Chapter 2-38 Part of Title 24 of the
California Code of Regulations. The entire
building shall have installed a State Fire
Marshal approved and listed automatic fire alarm
system. The entire building shall be of at
least Type V one-hour fire resistive
construction, as described in Chapter 2-22 of
Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations. A building with individual floor
areas over 6,000 square feet per floor shall have
an approved smoke barrier dividing the floor
approximately in half, without regard to whether
direct exiting is available from each dwelling
unit. The entire building shall have at least
two sets of enclosed stairways.
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Nonambulatory on the Third Floor
HSC 13131.5 dictates the construction type for
these buildings. (c)  All of the following
building standards shall apply to any multi-story
building housing nonambulatory persons on the
third, fourth, or fifth floor, which is operated
as a residential care facility for the elderly
and licensed to care for more than six
persons (1)  The entire building, unless
otherwise exempt pursuant to subdivision (d) of
Section 13113, shall have installed a State Fire
Marshal approved fully automatic fire
extinguishing system, designed and installed in
accordance with Section 2-3801(d) of Chapter 2-38
of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code of
Regulations. (2)  The entire building shall have
installed a State Fire Marshal approved and
listed automatic fire alarm system. (3)  The
entire building shall be of Type II fire
resistive construction, as described in Chapter
2-19 of Part 2 of Title 24 of the California Code
of Regulations. (4)  A building with individual
floor areas over 6,000 square feet per floor
shall have an approved smoke barrier dividing the
floor approximately in half, without regard to
whether direct exiting is available from each
dwelling unit. (5)  The entire building shall
have at least two sets of enclosed stairways.
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R-2.1 Construction Requirements More than 6
non-ambulatory

• Fire Rated Construction
• Two Stories in Type V, 1-hr Construction
• Smoke Barriers (if gt 6,000 sq. ft.)
• Rated Corridors
• Fire Sprinkler System
• Manual Automatic Fire Alarm System

• Exit Signs
• Tactile Egress signage
• Emergency Illumination
• Ramps
• Fire Extinguishers

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R-2.1.1 -- Construction Requirements 6 or less
nonambulatory

• Limited to two stories, Type V, NR
• Non Rated Construction
• Smoke Barrier Walls (if gt 6,000 sq. ft.)
• Hallways
• Manual Pull Station

• Smoke Alarms
• Exit Signs
• Ramps
• Fire Extinguisher

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Office of the State Fire MarshalIs Helping !

• SFM Residential Care Advisory Committee
• OSFM
• DSS
• CALA
• Aging Services of California
• Providers
• Architects

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Office of the State Fire MarshalCode
Interperetations
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Bedridden Code Issues in RCFEsThank You

• Douglas Pancake, AIA
• Douglas Pancake Architects