Section 501.81. Safety from fire

(a) Birth centers are classified as C-1 modified occupancy and must comply with the following:

(1) Buildings of one story in height may be constructed of fire resistive, noncombustible, ordinary, or wood frame construction as defined in National Fire Prevention Association, 1961 Edition, Standard Types of Building Construction.

(2) Buildings of two stories or more in height shall be constructed of fire resistive or noncombustible construction as defined in National Fire Prevention Association, 1961 Edition, Standard Types of Building Construction.

(3) Means of egress requirements shall comply with the following:

(i) Each floor or fire section of the building shall have at least two means of egress, remotely located from each other.

(A) At least one means of egress shall be a stairway directly to grade, door directly to grade, horizontal exit, or ramp directly to grade.

(B) The other means of egress shall be a fire escape or outside stair if two means of egress are not provided in accordance with clause (A).

(ii) Width of stairways, fire escapes, and ramps.

(A) Stairs shall have a minimum width of 30 inches. Winders in stairs are not acceptable.

(B) Fire escapes shall have a minimum width of 24 inches. Fire escapes shall be constructed of steel.

(C) Ramps shall have a minimum width of 30 inches. Slope of ramps shall not exceed 2 inches in 12 inches.

(D) Handrails shall be provided. Handrails may protrude into the stairs, but not more than 3 inches on either side.

(iii) Travel distance.

(A) The travel distance between a room door, required as exit access, and an exit may not exceed 100 feet.

(B) The travel distance between a point in a room and an exit may not exceed 150 feet.

(iv) Illumination of means of egress.

(A) Each facility shall provide illumination of the means of egress.

(B) The floors of the means of egress shall be illuminated at all points, including angles and intersections of corridors and passageways, stairways, landings of stairs, and exit doors to values of not less than one footcandle measured at the floor.

(4) Interior finish on walls, floors, and ceilings throughout shall be Class C, 200 flame spread rating or less.

(5) Operable residential type smoke detectors shall be installed in all rooms, corridors, and means of egress. The number of detectors shall be determined by the manufacturer’s specifications on coverage.

(6) Occupancy shall comply with the following:

(i) Birthing rooms shall be limited to the lowest level with direct grade access, unless an exception is granted by the Department under § 501.6 (relating to exceptions). Basement occupancy by patients shall be prohibited.

(ii) Examination rooms are permitted above the first floor.

(7) Rooms or spaces, including repair shops, used for storage of combustible supplies and equipment in quantities deemed hazardous by the Department shall comply with the following:

(i) One-hour separation from all adjacent areas.

(ii) Automatic sprinkler system water source, which can be from the domestic water system. Installation and maintenance shall comply with National Fire Prevention Association 13 and 13A.

(8) All types of occupancies, which are not classified as C-1 modified, shall be separated by a 2-hour fire wall from the birth center.

(9) Fire extinguishers shall comply with the following:

(i) Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided. At least two extinguishers shall be provided per floor with a travel distance of 50 feet maximum to each extinguisher.

(ii) Fire extinguishers shall be the ABC type.

(iii) Maintenance shall be yearly.

(b) Prior to construction, birth centers shall submit plans for review by the Department, using the procedures set forth in 34 Pa. Code § 49.3 (relating to submission of plans). A certificate of occupancy will be issued, in accordance with those procedures, when it is determined by the Department that the birth center is in compliance with subsection (a).

(c) All necessary accommodations shall be made to meet the needs of persons with semi-ambulatory disabilities, sight and hearing disabilities, and disabilities in coordination, and to meet the requirements of 45 CFR § 84.23 (relating to new construction), concerning design, construction, and alteration of facilities. Conformity with the American National Standards Specifications for Making Buildings and Facilities Accessible to, and Usable by, the Physically Handicapped, published by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI A117.1 1961 (R 1971), constitutes compliance with this subsection.