Buildings, Grounds and Equipment

PURPOSE: This rule sets forth requirements for the physical plant, sanitation, safety and fire protection, space, and equipment. (1) Physical Plant-General Requirements. (A) Plans for additional buildings, or alterations which affect the structural strength, safety, sanitary conditions, and floor space of existing buildings, shall meet the requirements of state and local ordinances. The plans for these buildings or alterations shall be submitted for review by the residential licensing unit, the State Fire Marshal and the Department of Health and Senior Services. (B) If construction is not started within one (1) year of the approval of plans, the plans and specifications shall be resubmitted to the same agencies prior to beginning construction. (C) An agency shall maintain its buildings, grounds, furniture, and equipment in a clean, safe, and sanitary condition and in a good state of repair. (D) Each operating site shall be effectively safeguarded against insects and rodents. (E) Each operating site housing children shall include areas and specialized recreational space, and shall properly equip, supply, and maintain these areas so as to promote relaxation and varied opportunities for recreation. (F) Telephone service shall be available in each operating site. (G) An agency operating a swimming pool shall maintain a file to provide documentation that the pool is operated and maintained in accordance with all applicable local ordinances, state guidelines, or both. (H) Heaters, floor furnaces, radiators, hot water heaters, or other equipment which pose a threat to children shall be separated from areas used by children by partitions, screens, or other barriers, as approved by the State Fire Marshal. (I) Smoking shall be prohibited in child care, food preparation, and food service areas. (J) Porches, decks, stairwells, or other areas having a significant drop-off from which children might fall and be injured shall have an approved railing or approved barrier. (2) Administrative and Clerical Space. Adequate space shall be provided for administrative and clerical staff and for the storage of records. (3) Interview and Consultation Area. A private area shall be provided for interviews and consultations. (4) Sleeping Rooms and Areas. (A) An agency licensed after the effective date of these rules (November 12, 1993) shall provide a sleeping space for each child of at least seventy (70) square feet. (B) An agency licensed after (November 12, 1993) shall provide at least one (1) window to the outside of the operating site (effective the date of this amendment) in each sleeping room. (C) No enclosed basement rooms or rooms that are more than one-third (1/3) below ground level on all four (4) sides shall be used. Each sleeping room, unless it has a door opening to the outside at ground level, shall have an exit access door leading directly to a corridor which leads to an exit. Exit doors shall comply with existing fire and safety requirements. (D) Each child shall be provided with his/her own bed which shall be adequate in width and length for his/her height. (E) Sleeping areas shall be designated and provided for boys and for girls to allow for maximum supervision and separation. Programs providing care for children through age three (3) years are not required to separate children according to gender. Consideration for waiving the age limit may be given to programs providing less than seventy-two- (72-) hour care to enable programs to keep sibling groups together. (F) An agency licensed, or buildings constructed, after the effective date of these rules (November 12, 1993), shall house no more than four (4) children in a single sleeping area. (G) Single beds shall be provided and spaced appropriately to allow for maximum comfort of the children. Bunk beds may be used, if age-appropriate, and shall be constructed of safe, stable materials. (H) Each bed shall have level, firm springs and a firm mattress or other comfortable, orthopedically supportive surface, protected by rubber sheeting or other covering, when necessary. A pillow, bed linen, and sufficient cover for comfort shall be provided. (I) A complete change of bed linen shall be provided when soiled, but at least once a week. (J) Children shall have sufficient closet and drawer space for clothing and personal belongings. (5) Staff Quarters. When staff quarters are provided, they shall be located adjacent to the children’s bedrooms so that children can be supervised easily and staff can be available to any child, when needed. (6) Bath and Toilet Facilities. (A) A minimum of one (1) toilet and one (1) wash basin shall be provided for every four (4) children and one (1) tub or shower shall be provided for every six (6) children in residence. In agencies licensed after the effective date of these rules (November 12, 1993), these accommodations shall be located on the same floor as the sleeping rooms. In agencies licensed after (effective the date of this amendment) the bath and toilet facilities shall be in a separate, distinct room. (B) Separate and private bathroom accommodations shall be provided for boys and for girls ages six (6) years or older. (C) Agencies licensed after (effective the date of this amendment) shall have a window to the outside of the operating site or other exhaust ventilation system in each bathroom. (D) Hot water heating systems and water temperature shall be routinely monitored to ensure safety of children. (7) Laundry and Utility Area. Laundry equipment shall be available in a well-lighted and well-ventilated area. (8) Heating and Cooling. Each operating site shall be well ventilated and maintain indoor temperatures comfortable for children. (9) Electrical Systems. (A) Each operating site’s electrical system shall comply with all applicable local ordinances, state guidelines, or both. (B) Artificial lighting shall be provided to meet the needs of the children and shall be safely and sufficiently shielded. (C) The operating site shall have an adequate lighting source. (10) Windows, Screens, and Glass Doors. (A) Windows which are accessible from the outside shall be lockable and open easily from the inside. The manufacturer’s designed functions of windows shall not be altered without the approval of the State Fire Marshal. (B) Open windows and doors shall be securely screened and barriers to prevent children from falling against windows or falling from window openings shall be provided as needed. (C) Shatterproof safety glass shall be installed in high risk areas where children are active, and clear glass doors shall be marked plainly at varying heights to avoid impact. (11) Dining and Kitchen Area. (A) Each operating site shall have a kitchen which provides the following: 1. A refrigerator capable of maintaining foods at safe temperatures according to Department of Health and Senior Service’s standards and verified by thermometers located in each refrigerator and freezer; 2. A stove with a hood in operating condition; 3. A kitchen sink in operating condition with hot and cold running water; 4. Adequate provision for the sanitary disposal and temporary storage of food waste and refuse; 5. A supply of equipment to prepare meals, and dishes, glassware, and flatware for use at each meal. Utensils shall be free of chips, cracks, or other defects, and shall be thoroughly cleansed after each use; 6. Equipment used in the preparation and serving of food, including can openers, meat slicers, and cutting surfaces which shall be cleaned and sanitized after each use; 7. No smoking in food preparation and food service areas; 8. Dining areas equipped with tables and chairs appropriate to the children’s ages, and arranged so that children and staff can have their meals together; 9. Dishwashing facilities with water hot enough to sanitize utensils or other approved sanitization method; 10. A window or other adequate exhaust ventilation system in each kitchen; 11. Adequate space and light; and 12. Walls, floors, and ceilings made of materials that are easy to clean and maintain. (12) Food Storage. (A) Food and drink shall be stored, prepared, displayed, served and transported in a manner to protect it from contamination. (B) Each operating site shall store and use food service areas, only sufficient poisonous and toxic materials required to maintain sanitary conditions. Toxic materials shall be properly labeled and stored in secure, locked, cabinets which are used for no other purpose. (13) Water. (A) If an operating site’s water supply is not an approved public source, each operating site shall have its water supply annually approved by the Department of Health and Senior Services or Department of Natural Resources. (B) Each operating site shall provide cool, safe drinking water and single-serving cups or glasses for those unable to drink from fountains. (14) Sewage Disposal. (A) The agency shall utilize public sewage disposal systems when they are available. (B) If the agency does not utilize public sewage disposal systems, facilities shall have their sewage disposal systems approved biennially by the Department of Health and Senior Services or Department of Natural Resources. (15) Hazardous Materials. All flammable liquids, matches, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items, or other hazardous items shall be locked and inaccessible to children. Any lawful, authorized use of such materials would be under the approval of the executive director of the residential treatment agency for children and youth. (16) Weapons. (A) Ammunition, guns, hunting knives, bows and arrows or other weapons shall be stored in a locked cabinet or locked closet. (B) All guns must have trigger locks installed. (17) Animals. (A) Agencies that have animals shall develop written policy and/or procedures that address the purpose and care of animals in therapeutic programming. (B) Agencies that have animals shall adhere to local and state guidelines regarding care and public safety. (C) Documentation of veterinarian visits and health records shall be made available, when requested. (D) Appropriate pet containment systems shall be available to use, when necessary. (18) Out Buildings. Any buildings used on campus for the storage of equipment or material shall be locked. AUTHORITY: sections 210.481, 210.486, and 210.506, RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 13 CSR 40-71.080. Original rule filed Nov. 9, 1978, effective Feb. 11, 1979. Emergency rescission and emergency rule filed Nov. 1, 1993, effective Nov. 12, 1993, expired March 11, 1994. Emergency rescission and emergency rule filed March 2, 1994, effective March 12, 1994, expired July 9, 1994. Rescinded and readopted: Filed Nov. 1, 1993, effective June 6, 1994. Moved to 13 CSR 35-71.080, effective Oct. 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Dec. 16, 2013, effective June 30, 2014. *Original authority: 210.481, RSMo (1982), amended 1985 and 210.486 and 210.506, RSMo (1982), amended 1993.