Billings, MT Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Sec. 14-301 adopts the 2021 International Fire Code, with Appendices B, C, E, F, G and I, as the fire code of the City of Billings. Ordinance 24-5897, adopted November 12, 2024, moved the city from the 2012 edition to the 2021 edition. Billings then amends the code's Group E definition for day care facilities. The classification applies to buildings or portions of buildings occupied by more than five children, above the age floor stated in the definition, who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for less than 24 hours per day.\n\nThe size of the program decides the occupancy class.

A facility with fifteen or fewer children is classified as part of the primary occupancy of the building it sits in. A facility of fifteen or fewer children inside a dwelling unit is classified as a Group R-3 occupancy, or it must comply with the International Residential Code. Rooms and spaces inside a place of worship that provide care during religious functions are classified as part of the primary occupancy, so a church nursery does not become a separate Group E space.\n\nOther Billings amendments reach the same buildings.

Section 1010.2 adds that exit doors cannot be locked, chained, bolted, barred, latched or otherwise rendered unusable, and every locking device must be of an approved type. Section 1020.2 lets existing E occupancies with an occupant load of 30 or more upgrade corridors to one-hour construction, with corridor doors protected by 20-minute assemblies or solid wood doors at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Table 1103.1 is amended so Section 1103.9 applies to Group E. Section 1031.2 requires emergency escape and rescue openings in every sleeping room in an unsprinklered Group R building.\n\nThe fire code is enforced by the bureau of fire prevention under Sec.

14-302, and each person designated to enforce it can issue citations. Section 111 of the model code, the means of appeals, is not adopted, and section 107 on fees is not adopted either.