Section R. 400.10601 - DefinitionsRule 601. As used in this part:
(a) "Approved" means acceptable to the department and fire inspecting authority and in accordance with these rules. The department makes the final approval based on recommendations from the fire inspecting authority and recognized national standards.(b) "Basement" means that habitable portion of a building which is below grade but which is located so that the vertical distance from the grade to the floor is more than the vertical distance from the grade to the ceiling. However, where the ceiling of such portion of a building is located 5 feet or more above grade for more than 25% of the perimeter measurement of the building or part of the building affected, the building shall be classed as a first story.(c) "Combustible" means that any part of a material can ignite and burn.(d) "Conversion" or "converted" means any of the following: (i) A change, after the effective date of these rules, in the use of a facility or a portion thereof from some previous use to that of a licensed or approved facility.(ii) An increase in capacity from a residential group home facility to a small facility or a large facility.(iii) A change to a secure facility.(iv) After the effective date of these rules, a change from caring for ambulatory residents only to caring for 1 or more nonambulatory residents. A converted facility shall be in compliance with the provisions of these rules for fire safety for converted facilities.
(e) "Existing facility" means a building which is licensed or approved by the department as an open facility for less than 7 residents at the time these rules take effect and which is not unoccupied or unlicensed for more than 90 consecutive days thereafter. Where an increase in capacity or change in use affects fire safety requirements, the facility shall comply with all applicable requirements before the increase or change in use.(f) "Facility" means a building that is owned, leased, or primarily rented by a juvenile court for use as a residential group home facility to house and sleep residents. "Facility" includes new, remodeled, converted, and existing facilities.(g) "Fire alarm device" means an approved device that is capable of sounding an alarm. A fire alarm shall be specifically designated as such and shall not be used for any purpose other than sounding an alarm of fire or other emergency or for fire drills. The device shall be loud enough to be heard throughout the facility under normal conditions. A device may be a bell, a horn, a whistle, or any other device that is acceptable to the fire inspecting authority.(h) "Fire-resistance rating" means the time in hours or fractions thereof that materials or their assemblies will resist fire exposure as determined by fire tests established and conducted by approved testing laboratories.(i) "Means of egress or exit" means an unobstructed way of departure from any point in a building to safe open air outside at grade.(j) "Newly constructed," "new construction," or "new facility" means a structure or addition to a facility after the effective date of these rules.(k) "Nonambulatory" with respect to a resident, including a resident confined to a wheelchair, means being physically or mentally incapable of traversing a path to safety without the aid of another person. A path to safety includes the descent and ascent of any stairs or other approved means of egress from the building.(l) "Remodeled" means changes in a facility that modify existing conditions and includes renovation. Remodeled and affected areas of an institution shall conform to the provisions of these rules for fire safety for remodeled and converted facilities. Unaffected areas of a facility are not required to conform to the required provisions for remodeled and converted facilities.(m) "Residential group home facility" means a building which is used to house less than 7 residents and which is not a secure facility.(n) "Second story" means the story of a building above the highest story which has a means of egress that is not more than 4 feet to grade.(o) "Street floor" means the lowest story of a facility that is not a basement.(p) "Story" means that part of a building between a floor and the floor or roof next above.Mich. Admin. Code R. 400.10601