July 25, 2023 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released two announcements: C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space). Learn More The announcements describe the fire safety requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care programs. All DHS certified group child care homes (in a residence) and family child care homes must maintain compliance with the fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code; the Fire and Panic Act (family child care homes only); the Pennsylvania Construction Code; and regulations relating to smoke alarms or systems. Smoke alarms or systems must always be operable. All DHS certified child care centers and group child care homes (in a commercial space) must maintain compliance with the fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code, the Pennsylvania Construction Code, and regulations relating to fire detection devices or systems. Fire detection devices or systems must always be operable. The guidance also applies to school-age programs (in a residence) not located in a school building. For full details, please see the Announcements C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space). TweetSharePinShare0 Shares
