425.2 Use of School Buildings by Lower Grades

In addition to the occupancy and construction requirements in this code, this section applies to those special uses and occupancies described in this section.

Rooms used by preschool, kindergarten, and first and second grade students for classrooms, latchkey, day care, early childhood family education, teen parent, or other programs conducted in the building may be located on any floor level below the fourth story if the following conditions exist:

1. The building is protected throughout with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system; and
2. The building is protected throughout with an approved automatic fire alarm system having automatic smoke detection devices installed throughout the exit system within every room or area used for purposes other than a classroom or office.

Rooms shall be located on the story of exit discharge when used for the purposes of classroom, latchkey, day care, early childhood education, teen parent, or other programs conducted in the building by preschool, kindergarten, or first grade students. Rooms shall be located on the story of exit discharge or one story above when used for any purpose by second grade students.

1. An approved automatic fire sprinkler system is provided throughout the building and the use of the affected room or space is limited to one grade level at a time and exiting is provided from the room or space that is independent from the exiting system used by students above second grade; or
2. An approved automatic fire alarm system is installed throughout the building consisting of automatic smoke detection installed throughout the exit system and within all rooms and areas other than classroom and office areas, and the use of the affected room or space is limited to one grade level at a time, and exiting is provided from the room or space that is independent from the exiting system used by students above second grade. For the purposes of this subpart, pupils from the second grade down are considered one grade level.

Accessory spaces, including spaces used for gymnasiums, cafeterias, media centers, auditoriums, libraries, and band and choir rooms, used on a temporary basis by preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade students are permitted to be located one level above or one level below the story of exit discharge, if the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system or an approved corridor smoke detection system.