1. (a) Each overnight respite services program shall have at least two exit doors on all floor levels. If there are only two exit doors, the exit doors shall be located and constructed to minimize the possibility that both may be blocked by a fire or other emergency condition.
2. (b) One exterior door shall have a minimum width of three feet. Another exterior door shall have a minimum width of two feet and eight inches. For the purposes of this Rule, an "exterior door" means a door used by a participant to enter and exit the building to and from the outdoors.
3. (c) At least one principal exterior door for the participants' use shall be at grade level or accessible by a ramp with a one inch rise for each 12 inches of ramp length. For the purposes of this Rule, a "principal exterior door" means a door that is used by participants to access the vehicular pick-up and drop-off area. If the overnight respite services program serves any participant who must have physical assistance with evacuation, the building shall have two exterior doors at grade level or accessible by a ramp.
4. (d) All exit door locks shall be easily operable, by a single hand motion, from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge. Deadbolts or turn buttons on the inside of exit doors, including screen and storm doors, shall be disabled.
5. (e) Exit doors shall be free of all obstructions or impediments to allow for full instant use in case of fire or other emergency.
6. (f) All steps, porches, stoops, and ramps shall be provided with handrails and guards. Handrails shall be on both sides of steps and ramps, including sides bordered by the facility wall. Handrails shall extend the full length of steps and ramps. Guards shall be on open sides of steps, porches, stoops, and ramps. For the purposes of this Rule, "guards" are rails or barriers located at or near the open sides of elevated walking surfaces that minimizes the possibility of a fall from a walking surface to an adjacent change in elevation.
7. (g) In each overnight respite services program with at least one participant who is determined by a physician or appropriate licensed health professional or is otherwise observed by staff to be disoriented or exhibiting wandering behavior, all exit doors shall be equipped with a continuously sounding device that is activated when the door is opened. The alarm shall be turned on at all times and, when activated by the door opening, the sound shall be continuous and audible throughout the facility housing the overnight respite services program until turned off by a staff person. If a central system of remote sounding devices is provided, the control panel for the system shall be powered by the facility's electrical system, and be located in an area accessible to staff. The requirements of this Paragraph shall apply to new and existing facilities.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131D-6.1;
Eff. April 1, 2017;
Emergency Amendment Eff. July 1, 2026.