07-06 · Vehicle Requirements

During the time of the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed that the two vehicles used for transportation did not have an alarm that was loud enough to hear from 500 ft away. CCF Handbook, section 2.5.4 Vehicle Requirements F. By January 1, 2022 all vehicles used by child care facilities to transport children must be equipped with a reliable alarm system approved by the Department which prompts the driver to inspect the vehicle for children before exiting the vehicle. 1. Approved alarm systems must meet the following criteria: a. The alarm system must be armed or activated automatically when the vehicles ignition is turned on. b. The alarm system must be designed and installed so that the vehicle horn, siren or other type of audio alarm will sound if the driver/staff member does not walk to the rear or, in the case of a passenger van, the side entry point of the vehicle, to manually shut off or deactivate the alarm. c. The time delay from the time the ignition is turned off after activation of the alarm system until the alarm sounds shall be no longer than one minute. d. The alarm must be audible from the distance of 500 feet from the vehicle. e. The alarm system must be installed so that the driver must walk to the back of the vehicle to reach the deactivation mechanism. Deactivation mechanisms installed in locations that do not require the driver to walk to the back of the vehicle and view all seating areas will not be acceptable. 2. List of approved alarm manufacturers may be found on the Departments website at www.myflfamilies.com/childcare . 3. Alarms must be installed and maintained according to the manufacturers recommendations. 4. Alarm systems installed according to the manufacturers instructions prior to October 1, 2021, will be deemed to satisfy this requirement if they meet the criteria set forth in 2.5.4.F.1. above. Under this allowance, the existing alarm system must always be properly maintained in working order. Should at any time the alarm system require replacement, the new system must be selected from the Departments approved list referenced in 2.5.4 F.2. above