(1) To be properly prepared for an emergency, early learning programs must have an emergency preparedness plan required by WAC 110-300-0470.

(2) Early learning providers must have the following in case of an emergency:

(a) A working flashlight or other emergency lighting device must be available for use as an emergency light source. Battery powered flashlights must have an extra set of batteries easily available; and

(b) A working telephone must be available for use with sufficient backup power to function for at least five hours.

(3) To ensure a safe exit from the premises during an emergency, early learning providers must comply with the following requirements:

(a) Emergency exit doors must remain unlocked from the inside, but may be locked from the outside while the early learning program is open. The door handle must be of the type that can be opened from the inside without the use of a key, tools, or special knowledge, and must automatically unlock when the knob or handle is turned;

(b) Exit doors that are not designated as an emergency exit door may be locked during operating hours. Locking interior doors in early learning program space must be designed to be unlocked from either side. An unlocking device must be readily available; and

(c) Exit doors must not be partially or entirely blocked.

(4) For family home early learning programs:

(a) Each level or floor of the home licensed for early learning programming, except basements, must have at least two emergency exit pathways that lead directly to the exterior of and away from the building.

(i) The emergency exits on each floor must be as widely spaced as possible, ideally at opposite ends of the floor.

(ii) At least one emergency exit on each floor must be an emergency exit door. At least one emergency exit door must be a pivoting or side-hinged swinging door. Other exit doors may be sliding glass doors.

(iii) The portion of a home that is partly or completely below grade (basement) must have at least one emergency exit window or door that leads directly to the exterior of the building.

(b) Every room licensed for early learning programming, except bathrooms, must have at least two emergency exits. These exits must be any combination of the following:

(i) An emergency exit door that leads directly to the exterior of the building;

(ii) An emergency exit window that leads directly to the exterior of the building; or

(iii) A door or doorway that leads to an emergency exit pathway. No two doors or doorways can lead to the same emergency exit pathway.

(c) Any window used as an emergency exit window must:

(i) Remain unlocked during operating hours except that a manufacturer-installed latch may remain latched;

(ii) Be designed to open from the inside of the room without the use of keys, tools, or special knowledge;

(iii) Be easy to open to the full position;

(iv) Have at least five point seven square feet of open area, except emergency exit windows on the ground floor which must have at least five square feet of open area;

(v) Be at least 20 inches wide and at least 24 inches tall when fully opened;

(vi) Have an interior sill height no more than 44 inches above the interior floor; and

(vii) Have a place to land outside that is no more than 48 inches below the exterior window sill.