The DCD 0303 Adult Day Care and Child Care Fire Inspection Report is used by state-licensed fire safety inspectors in North Carolina to evaluate whether day care facilities meet established fire protection standards. The form was last revised in October 2010 and serves as the official documentation record for compliance inspections at facilities that provide care for both adults and children.
The report is organized into eight major inspection categories. Inspectors must review each area and mark every line item as Yes, No, or N/A. Any item marked N/A requires a written explanation in the adjacent remarks field.
This section verifies that day-to-day operations maintain adequate fire safety awareness. Inspectors check that all staff members know evacuation routes, that flammable and combustible materials are stored and handled in compliance with state requirements, and that smoking policies conform to applicable regulations.
Facilities must document a written emergency action plan that outlines staff responsibilities during a fire event. Inspectors confirm that evacuation drills are conducted at the frequency required by state regulations and that all employees understand their designated roles when an emergency occurs.
This section covers the facility's interface with emergency responders. Inspectors verify that access roads and fire hydrant locations meet local fire department requirements, that all sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems are properly maintained, and that inspection and testing records are current and available on site. Facilities approved for nighttime care face additional requirements in this area compared to those offering daytime care only.
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and electrical systems are inspected for proper installation and ongoing maintenance. Any recently installed or upgraded equipment must comply with current building and fire codes. Inspectors review maintenance logs and installation permits as part of this assessment.
Fire-rated walls, ceilings, doors, and penetrations are evaluated to confirm they remain intact and have not been altered without proper permits. This category is particularly important for facilities that have undergone renovations, since unauthorized modifications can compromise the fire compartmentalization design of the building and create compliance failures even when all other systems are in order.
Curtains, rugs, wall hangings, and decorative displays must meet applicable flame-spread rating requirements. Inspectors look for materials that could accelerate fire spread or generate toxic smoke and gases during a fire event, which poses a heightened risk in facilities caring for children or adults with limited mobility.
The presence and operational condition of portable fire extinguishers, automatic sprinkler systems, and smoke and heat detection systems are all verified in this section. Each device must be inspected, tested, and tagged according to local requirements, with current inspection certificates available on site. Facilities should maintain a schedule of regular testing to stay ahead of inspection dates.
All exit doors, exit signs, emergency lighting fixtures, and corridor widths are reviewed. Inspectors confirm that exit doors open from the inside without special keys or tools, that exit signs are illuminated and visible, and that egress paths remain clear and unobstructed at all times. Corridor and door widths must allow for the safe evacuation of all facility occupants, including individuals with mobility limitations or those requiring assistance.
The inspection form explicitly distinguishes between facilities approved for daytime care only and those approved for both daytime and nighttime operations. Facilities providing overnight care must meet stricter standards for exit lighting, sleeping area separation from common areas, and staff coverage ratios during nighttime hours. These additional requirements appear throughout the form wherever nighttime operations introduce elevated risk compared to daytime-only care.
After completing all eight inspection categories, the inspector records a final determination of either Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory for the facility's overall fire safety conditions. A Satisfactory rating confirms that the facility meets all applicable fire safety standards at the time of inspection. An Unsatisfactory rating requires facility management to address all cited deficiencies before the next scheduled inspection visit. Facilities with repeated Unsatisfactory results may face licensing review by the relevant state agency.
Day care and adult care facility operators often need to file several related forms alongside this inspection report. The Annual Fire Door Inspection Form documents scheduled door compliance evaluations required by fire codes. The 5-Year Fire Sprinkler Inspection Form covers mandated system testing and certification at the required intervals. Operators should also keep the Daycare Registration Form current and on file as part of their complete licensing documentation package.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Dcd 0303 Form |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Other names | day care inspection form, care fire report, fire inspection report, care child inspection report |