436 Group I-4 [sfm] — 2025 California Fire Code

Rooms classified as Group I-4 shall not be located above or below the first story.

Exceptions: 1. Basements or stories having floor levels located within 4 feet (1219 mm), measured vertically, from adjacent ground level at the level of exit discharge, provided the basement or story has exterior exit doors at that level. 2. Group I-4 child-care center or adult cay care may be located above the first story in buildings of Types I-A, I-B, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B and IV-C construction, subject to the limitation of Section 503 when: 2.1. Group I-4 child-care center with children under the age of seven or containing more than 12 children per story shall not be located above the fourth floor; and

2.2. The entire story in which the Group I-4 child-care center or adult day care is located is equipped with an approved manual fire alarm and automatic smoke-detection system. (See the California Fire Code.) Actuation of an initiating device shall sound an audible alarm throughout the entire story. When a building fire alarm system is required by other provisions of this code or the Fire Code, the alarm system shall be connected to the building alarm system. An approved alarm signal shall sound at an approved location in the Group I-4 facility to indicate a fire alarm or sprin- kler flow condition in other portions of the building; and 2.3. Group I-4 child-care center or adult day care, if more than 1,000 square feet (92.9 m [2] ) in area, is divided into at least two compartments of approximately the same size by a smoke barrier with door openings protected by smoke- and draft-control assemblies having a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes. Smoke barriers shall have a fire-resistive rating of not less than one hour. In addition to the requirements of Section 508.3.3 of the California Building Code, occupancy separations between Group I-4 child-care center or adult day care and other occupan- cies shall be constructed as smoke barriers. Door openings in the smoke barrier shall be tightfittinq, with gaskets installed as required by Section 710 of the California Building Code, and shall be automatic closing by actuation of the automatic sprinklers, fire alarm or smoke-detection system. 2.4. Each compartment formed by the smoke barrier has not less than two exits or exit access doors, one of which is permitted to pass through the adjoining compartment; and 2.5. Where two or more exits or exit access are required, at least one shall not share a common path of travel. The egress system shall comply with the requirements of Section 709 for smoke barriers. 2.6. The building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system throughout.

436.1.1 Egress. Rooms used for Group I-4 child-care or adult day care on the first floor shall have one exit door directly to the exterior.

Exception: One-hour rated corridors with a minimum width of 60 inches (1524 mm).