NEC Article 406 covers Receptacles, Cord Connectors, and Attachment Plugs (Caps) which are used everywhere, including Child Care Facilities.

NEC Article 100 defines a Child Care Facility as “a building or structure, or portion thereof, for educational, supervisory, or personal care services for more than four children 7 years old or less”.

Be sure to know which areas of a building are classified as a Group E in order to apply Section 406.12 of the NEC^® which requires all 15- and 20-ampere, 125- and 250-volt nonlocking-type receptacles in child care facilities, preschools and elementary education facilities to be listed as tamper-resistant.

In addition, NEC^® Section 700.10(D) requires additional fire protection for emergency system feeder-circuit wiring, feeder-circuit equipment, and generator control wiring for educational occupancies with more than 300 occupants.

Educational and day care facilities are commonly a portion of mixed-use occupancies where some areas of the building are classified as a Group E while other areas are another group such as A, B, M or I.

According to IBC Section 305, an Educational Group E occupancy includes, among others, the use of a building or structure, or a portion thereof, by six or more persons at any one time for educational purposes through the 12th grade.

IBC 305.1.1 Accessory to places of religious worship. Religious educational rooms and religious auditoriums, which are accessory to places of religious worship in accordance with Section 303.1.4 and have occupant loads of less than 100 per room or space, shall be classified as Group A-3 occupancies.

IBC 305.2 Group E, day care facilities. This group includes buildings and structures or portions thereof occupied by more than five children older than 2 ½ years of age who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for fewer than 24 hours per day.

305.2.1 Within places of religious worship. Rooms and spaces within places of religious worship providing such day care during religious functions shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

305.2.2 Five or fewer children. A facility having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as part of the primary occupancy.

305.2.3 Five or fewer children in a dwelling unit. A facility such as the above within a dwelling unit and having five or fewer children receiving such day care shall be classified as a Group R-3 occupancy or shall comply with the International Residential Code.

IBC 305.3 Storm shelters in Group E occupancies. Storm shelters shall be provided for Group E occupancies where required by Section 423.5.