Document Citation: Wis. Adm. Code DHS 83.51

Header:
WISCONSIN ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER DHS 83 COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES
SUBCHAPTER IX -- SAFETY

Date:
08/31/2009

Document:

DHS 83.51 Area of refuge.

(1) A room to be used as an area of refuge may not be a bedroom or a room for the private use of any resident, other occupant, employee, or licensee.

(2) The area of refuge shall be constructed of fire resistive construction rated for at least one-hour rated fire resistive construction. Whenever the room exits into an enclosed stairwell that is required to be of more than one-hour fire resistive construction, the room shall have the same fire-resistive construction, including the same doorway protection, as required for the adjacent stairwell.

(3) Doors in the area of refuge shall be tight-fitting and smoke and draft control assemblies having a fire-protection rating of at least 45 minutes and shall be self-closing or automatic closing.

(a) A room to be used as an area of refuge shall have an exit door directly to an exit enclosure such as a stairwell or fire escape that leads directly outside.

(b) The door leading into the area of refuge from the residential area shall be unlocked at all times. The door between the area of refuge and an exit enclosure shall be equipped with hardware that unlocks and opens with one hand and one motion from the area of refuge side of the door.

(4) Each stairway adjacent to an area of refuge shall have a minimum clear horizontal width of 4 feet between handrails.

(5) Two-way communication from the area of refuge and identification of the area of refuge shall be provided.

(6) Each area of refuge shall have a space for each person needing the area of refuge in an emergency as follows:

(a) At least 30 by 48 inches for each person who uses a wheelchair for mobility.

(b) At least 30 by 36 inches for each person who uses a walker, cane or crutch for assistance in walking.

(c) At least 30 by 24 inches for each person who does not use any assistive device for mobility or walking.

(7) The measurements under sub. (6) shall be determined after deducting the space covered by the door swing if the swing is into the area of refuge and the space needed for a passageway through the area of refuge is at least 32 inches in width.

(8) The number of residents not able to negotiate stairs who are housed on each floor level required to have an area of refuge shall be limited to the number of spaces provided in the area of refuge on that floor.

(9) A CBRF with an area of refuge shall notify the local fire department of the emergency evacuation plan, including the use and location of each area of refuge, and the potential number of residents and employees who would use each area of refuge.