0940-05-04-.06
Residential Occupancies - Board And Care
Cite as Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0940-05-04-.06
(1)
Definition. Board and Care facilities include a building or part thereof that is used for the
lodging and boarding of four (4) or more residents, not related by blood or marriage to the
owner or operator, to provide care services. Examples of facilities required to meet board and
care occupancy standards are the following:
(a)
Mental Health Residential Facility
(b)
Alcohol and Drug Residential Facility
(2)
Criteria. For the purpose of life safety, facilities required to meet Board and Care occupancy
must comply with the following:
(a)
Applicable standards of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection
Association, 1985 Edition, Residential Board and Care Occupancies, Chapter 21, or
equivalent standards hereafter adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and
1.
Provide at least two hundred (200) square feet, gross, of occupiable space per
service recipient,
(i)
A minor residing with their parent or guardian at the facility does not meet
the definition of a service recipient.
2.
Provide at least:
(i)
Eighty (80) square feet per service recipient bedroom space for single
occupancy, or
(I)
A minor residing with their parent or guardian at the facility does not
meet the definition of a service recipient.
(ii)
Sixty (60) square feet per service recipient bedroom space for multiple
occupancy,
3.
Not allow multiple occupancy which exceeds four (4) service recipients per
bedroom, and
(i)
A minor residing with their parent or guardian at the facility does not meet
the definition of a service recipient.
4.
Equip any stairways with emergency lighting,
5.
Provide emergency lighting in any corridors as means of egress,
6.
Not use unvented gas heaters,
7.
Use portable electric space heaters only in emergency situations, and as
appropriate under fire code standards,
8.
Allow the use of fireplaces only under the following conditions:
(i)
For recreation or therapy only,
(ii)
Not used as a primary source of heat,
LIFE SAFETY LICENSURE RULES
CHAPTER 0940-05-04
(iii)
Used in activity or living rooms,
(iv)
Under proper supervision and in accordance with specific written fire safety
procedures, and
(v)
Fireplaces may be installed and used only in areas other than service
recipient sleeping areas, provided the fireplace is equipped with a heat-
tempered glass fireplace enclosure guaranteed against breakage up to a
temperature of 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
9.
Allow the use of portable cooking devices in the kitchen only,
10.
Document fire safety drills which shall be conducted:
(i)
Monthly at unexpected times and under varying conditions, and
(ii)
Under direct staff supervision;
11.
Provide a functioning UL rated battery-operated smoke detector in each bedroom
occupied by the resident and document that all smoke-detection devices are
tested monthly and that batteries are changed when no longer operating, but at
least yearly;
12.
Provide operable 2A-10B, C multi-purpose fire extinguishers in a fixed location
and readily accessible for use in the facility, and document that all fire
extinguishers are properly maintained and serviced. The facility shall consult with
the fire authority of jurisdiction on the number of fire extinguishers required in a
particular facility and document the recommendation.
13.
Document instructions to staff upon employment and service recipients upon
enrollment in fire evacuation procedures;
14.
Adopt and post a policy on smoking in specified areas, except that no smoking
shall be allowed within residential bedrooms;
15.
Suspended unit electric heaters may be used, except in means of egress and
service recipient sleeping areas, provided such heaters are located high enough
to be out of the reach of persons using the area and provided the heaters are
equipped with appropriate safety devices and as acceptable by fire code.
16.
Use extension cords only on a limited basis and under the conditions acceptable
to the Office of Licensure of the department.
17.
In facilities where minors are residing with parents or guardians, only the parent
or guardian shall be assigned to the room where the minor resides. Facilities
shall request licensure approval via waiver request for multiple occupancy if they
believe their arrangement justifies such a scenario.
(b)
Serve only persons who require no greater level of care than personal care (as defined
at 0940-05-04-.08).
(c)
Facilities shall maintain proper storage and safeguards for all flammable materials.