La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6945 - Construction

A. All materials used in construction of detention centers shall meet the requirements of the state building code, life safety code and other applicable codes.

B. All construction materials used shall be fire-resistive.

C. The exterior walls and roof shall be reinforced concrete, masonry, or other similar hard-surface materials.

D. The interior wall in areas used by children shall be reinforced concrete, cement masonry or brick or other hard-surface material. Wall surfaces should have a hard, washable surface.

E. The floors shall consist of concrete, finished or smooth, and/or terrazzo and/or quarry tile and/or (in areas other than sleeping quarters) a durable, easily cleaned floor tile.

F. The ceiling shall consist of reinforced concrete, either finished or smooth, and/or steel or other similar hard surface materials.

G. Glass used in construction shall be heavy safety or high tempered glass, Plexiglas, or Lexan and shall be properly installed.

1. All windows in sleeping room shall be institutional security/type sash with mesh detention screens of the best obtainable quality, mounted flush with inside wall. Such screens should withstand a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch.

2. All windows which open should be operated by a removable crank.

H. Exterior doors shall be security-type doors and shall be keyed to both sides. The number of exits, width and location of exit doors and swing of exit doors shall be in accordance with the state building code.

I. Sleeping rooms shall have solid hardwood doors, solid wood doors securely covered with metal and attractively finished, or flush-type 14-guage hollow metal doors filled with sound-deadening insulation.

1. All sleeping room doors shall be equipped with one-quarter inch tempered or very heavy safety glass panels at least ten inches square.

2. Doors shall be hinged to a metal frame set securely in the wall with sound-insulating strips on the jamb.

3. Hinge pins of doors shall be tamperproof and non-removable.

4. Doors to sleeping rooms should be arranged alternately so that they are not across the corridor from each other.

J. Each sleeping room should be equipped with a wash basin, a toilet, and provisions for drinking water.

1. Sturdy fixtures, of a noninstitutional design, and securely fastened to floor and/or wall shall be used.

2. Tamperproof, push-button type faucets with limited flow should be used.

K. There should be no exposed plumbing, and traps and shut-off valves should be accessible behind locked doors outside the sleeping room.

L. The facility should be constructed with floor drains in all living and activity areas, and should be equipped with emergency water shut-off valves.

1. Drains should be so constructed as to reduce the problem of stoppage and permit stoppage to be pushed through without clogging.

2. All flow drains should be provided with tamperproof grills.

M. Sufficient light shall be provided by institutional-type fixtures with indestructible lenses or protective lens covers. Fixtures, switches, and conduits should be tamperproof.

1. Lighting in an individual room should be sufficient to permit easy reading by a person with normal vision.

2. All light switches for sleeping rooms should be located in the corridor next to the door of each room. Switches may be provided for central as well as individual control outside each room.

3. Night lighting shall be incorporated into the primary illuminating fixture or provided in separate installation.

N. Separate and adequate showers shall be provided for both sexes, with not less than one shower for each five children.

1. The interior should be so constructed and arranged to give maximum visual control.

2. All hot water, for showers and basins alike, shall be thermostatically controlled.

3. At least one wash basin shall be provided for each five children.

4. At least one bathtub shall be provided.

O. A minimum of one toilet for each five children shall be provided in each living unit.

P. A minimum of one toilet shall be provided in the day area that allows reasonable accessibility to youths. Separate facilities should be provided for each sex.

Q. There shall be a drinking fountain accessible to residents and staff.

R. An adequate laundry facility shall be available.

S. An adequate facility for food preparation and serving shall be available..

T. An adequate system of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning shall be provided. Component parts shall be inaccessible to children, and exposed vents shall be tamperproof. The system shall be installed with consideration for the safety and security of children and staff.

U. Educational, Dining, and Activity Areas

1. A combination activity area shall be provided to include not less than 100 square feet of inside area per rated capacity.

2. At least 30 square feet of clear space per rated capacity shall be provided in the day room on each living unit.

3. Open and unprotected glass expanses should not be included in the construction of these areas.

4. A room shall be provided for educational purposes.

V. Administrative/Professional Services Areas

1. There shall be at least one control center for admissions, discharges, day and night security, visitor control, and principal administration of the facility. The control center shall provide for visual supervision over an interview room and visiting area and shall be located within the security perimeter completely separate from juvenile living quarters.

2. Separate, secure areas shall be available for health care programs, interviewing, counseling, and visiting, although one single room may be equipped as a multipurpose room to provide two or more of the above needs.

3. The interview and visiting rooms should allow privacy, yet permit visual supervision by the staff.

W. Service and Maintenance Areas

1. Separate areas for mechanical equipment shall be provided in a location inaccessible to the children.

2. Adequate and properly located storage shall be provided for janitorial supplies, food/kitchen supplies and equipment, arts and crafts materials, office supplies, and other supplies required for the maintenance of the facility.

3. Storage space for personal clothing shall be provided.

4. A separate locked cabinet/safe for money and other valuables shall be provided.

5. A minimum allowance of 100 cubic feet of space per child shall be provided for storage.

6. All service and maintenance areas shall be provided with locking devices and shall be inaccessible to the children.

Notes

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-6945

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 46:51, 46:1401-1424.