Iowa Code r. 661-202.5 - General requirements for small group homes (specialized licensed facilities) licensed pursuant to Iowa Code section 135C.2 and for facilities in which foster care is provided by agencies to fewer than six children pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 237
(1)
Scope. This rule applies to specialized facilities licensed
under the provisions of Iowa Code section
135C.2 which have three to five
beds and serve persons with intellectual disabilities, chronic mental illness,
developmental disabilities, or brain injuries. This rule shall also apply to
facilities in which foster care is provided by agencies to fewer than six
children pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 237.
(2)
Exits.
a. There shall be a minimum of two approved
exits from the main level of the home and from each level with resident
sleeping rooms.
b. Interior and
exterior stairways shall have a minimum clear width of not less than 30
inches.
(3)
Windows. Every resident sleeping room shall have an outside
window or outside door arranged and located to permit the venting of products
of combustion and access to fresh air in the event of an emergency.
a. In new construction, windows shall have a
minimum net clear openable area of 5.7 square feet, minimum net clear openable
height of 24 inches, and minimum net clear openable width of 20 inches, and the
finished sill height shall be not more than 44 inches above the
floor.
b. In existing construction,
the finished sill height shall be not more than 44 inches above the floor or
may be accessible from a platform not more than 44 inches below the window
sill.
(4)
Interior finish. Interior finish in an exit shall be Class A,
B or C.
(5)
Doors.
Doors to resident sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of
13/8-inch solid core wood or
equivalent.
(6)
Vertical
separations. Basement stairs must be enclosed with one-hour rated
partitions and 13/4-inch solid core wood doors equipped with self-closers.
These doors must be kept closed unless held open by an approved electromagnetic
holder, actuated by an approved smoke detection device located at the top of
the stairwell and interconnected with the alarm system.
(7)
Fire detection, fire alarms and
sprinklers.
a. The home shall have
smoke detection installed on each occupied floor, including basements, in
accordance with NFPA 72, 1999 edition, Chapter 11. Smoke detectors shall be
interconnected so that activation of any detector will sound an audible alarm
throughout. The system shall be tested by a competent person at least
semiannually with date of test and name noted.
b. Homes in which exiting is restricted by
special door-locking arrangements that prevent residents from free egress shall
be equipped with sprinkler systems meeting the requirements of National Fire
Protection Association Standard Number 13D, 1996 edition.
(8)
Fire extinguishers.
a. Approved fire extinguishers shall be
provided on each floor, so located that a person will not have to travel more
than 75 feet from any point to reach the nearest extinguisher. An additional
extinguisher shall be provided in, or adjacent to, each kitchen or basement
storage room.
b. Type and number of
portable fire extinguishers shall be determined by the fire marshal.
(9)
Mechanical, electrical
and building service equipment.
a.
Air conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking and other service equipment
shall be in accordance with state regulations governing the same, or nationally
recognized standards such as National Fire Protection Association standards
governing the type of equipment, and shall be installed in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications. All hazardous areas normally found in one- and
two-family dwellings, such as laundry, kitchen, heating units and closets, need
not be separated with walls if all equipment is installed in accordance with
the manufacturer's listed instructions.
b. Portable comfort heating devices are
prohibited.
(10)
Attendants; evacuation plan.
a. Every home shall have at least one staff
person on the premises at all times while residents are present. This staff
person shall be at least 18 years of age and capable of performing the required
duties of evacuation. No person other than management personnel or a person
under management control shall be considered an attendant.
b. Every facility shall formulate a plan for
the protection of all persons in the event of fire and for their evacuation to
areas of refuge and from the building when necessary. All employees shall be
instructed and kept informed with respect to their duties under the plan. The
plan shall be posted where all employees may readily study it. Fire drills
shall be held at least once a month. Records must be kept available for
inspection.
(11)
Smoking.
a. There shall be no
smoking in resident sleeping areas, and smoking and no smoking policies shall
be strictly enforced.
b. Ashtrays
shall be constructed of noncombustible material with self-closing tops and
shall be provided in all areas where smoking is permitted.
(12)
Exit illumination.
Approved rechargeable battery-powered emergency lighting shall be installed to
provide automatic exit illumination in the event of failure of the normal
lighting system.
(13)
Occupancy restrictions.
a.
Occupancies not under the control of, or not necessary to, the administration
of residential care facilities are prohibited therein with the exception of the
residence of the owner or manager.
b. Nonambulatory residents shall be housed
only on accessible floors which have direct access to grade where the use of
stairs or elevators is not required.
(14)
Maintenance.
a. All fire and life safety equipment or
devices shall be regularly and properly maintained in an operable condition at
all times in accordance with nationally recognized standards. Such equipment
and devices include fire extinguishing equipment, alarm systems, doors and
their appurtenances, cords and switches, heating and ventilating equipment,
sprinkler systems and exit facilities.
b. Storerooms shall be maintained in a neat
and proper manner at all times.
c.
Excessive storage of combustible materials such as papers, cartons, magazines,
paints, sprays, old clothing, furniture and similar materials shall be
prohibited at all times.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 135C.2, subsection 5, paragraph "b" and Iowa Code section 237.3, subsection 3.
Notes
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