R9-33-203. Physical Plant Requirements

A. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A group home or behavioral-supported group home is in compliance with applicable federal and state disability laws; 2. If a group home or behavioral-supported group home has a resident with a mobility, sensory, or other physical impairment, documentation is available for review at the group home or behavioral-supported group home that: a. Is provided by the Division; and b. Identifies modifications, if any, needed to the premises to ensure that the premises are accessible to and usable by the resident; 3. The premises have been modified as identified by the Division in subsection (A)(2)(b); 4. Ramps, stairs, or steps on the premises are secured firmly to the ground or a permanent structure and have slip-resistant surfaces; 5. If handrails and grab bars are installed in a facility, handrails and grab bars are securely attached and stationary; 6. For behavioral-supported group homes, modifications to the room and closet are based on the behavioral-supported group home’s assessment of the individual needs of each resident designed to minimize the opportunity for a resident to cause self-injury or injury towards others; 7. For behavioral-supported group homes, there is a split floor plan and layout that allows for multiple ways to exit an area within the home and exit the home itself; 8. For behavioral-supported group homes, furniture that is a tipping hazard or could be used as a weapon must be fixed to the wall or floor; 9. For behavioral-supported group homes, wall hangings that have protective film when appropriate; 10. For behavioral-supported group homes, windows have an alarm and a film installed to prevent injury; 11. For behavioral-supported group homes, there is a designated area to keep all sharps locked at all times when not in use; 12. For behavioral-supported group homes, all toilets are commercial grade and have a locking toilet tank; 13. For behavioral-supported group homes, all doors have no slam features; 14. For behavioral-supported group homes, the backyard is completely enclosed by a fence or block wall with a gate that latches for egress; and 15. For behavioral-supported group homes, controls or alerts employees of the egress of a resident from the facility. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A method of heating and cooling maintains the facility between 65° F and 85° F in areas of the facility occupied by residents; 2. Ventilation is provided by an openable window, air conditioning, or other mechanical device; 3. Working, safe appliances for cooling and cooking food are provided in the facility that: a. Are safety-approved; b. If used to refrigerate food, maintain the food at a temperature of 40° F or below at all times; and c. If used to freeze food, maintain the food at a temperature of 0° F or below at all times; 4. Hot water temperatures in the facility are maintained between 95° F and 120° F; 5. Bathtubs and showers contain slip-resistant strips, rubber bath mats, or slip-resistant surfaces; and 6. For behavioral-supported group homes, a bathroom complies with the following: a. Provides privacy when in use; b. Contains a shatterproof mirror, unless the resident’s treatment plan requires otherwise; c. Bathtubs and showers contain slip-resistant strips, rubber bath mats, or slip-resistant surfaces; d. If the bathroom or shower area has a door, the door swings outward to allow for staff emergency access; and e. Appropriate assistive devices are provided to comply with the resident’s treatment plan. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. Electrical lighting is contained in each room in the facility; 2. Electrical devices and equipment on the premises are safety-approved, safe, and in working order; 3. Electrical outlets on the premises are safe, covered with a faceplate, and installed in accordance with the requirements of the local jurisdiction; 4. If the facility was built or modified on or after the effective date of this Chapter, any electrical outlet located within 3 feet of a water source includes a ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI); 5. An appliance, light, or other device with a frayed or spliced electrical cord is not used on the premises; and 6. An electrical cord, including an extension cord, on the premises is not: a. Used as a substitute for permanent wiring, b. Run under a rug or carpeting, c. Run over a nail, or d. Run from one room to another. D. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A facility contains a safe, working plumbing system; 2. If a facility’s plumbing system is connected to a nonmunicipal sewage disposal system, the plumbing system and connective piping are free of visible leakage; and 3. The premises do not contain unfenced or uncovered wells, ditches, or holes into which an individual may step or fall.