Document Citation: Wis. Adm. Code DHS 83.47

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


Date:
02/18/2014

Document:
DCF 83.47 Fire safety requirements

(1) EVACUATION CAPABILITIES. (a) If the time it takes for any resident to evacuate is more than 2 minutes and up to 4 minutes, with or without employee assistance, the CBRF shall have all of the following:

1. Vertical smoke separation between all floors.

2. Rated stair enclosure as required under ch. SPS 361.

3. Externally monitored smoke detection system with back up battery supply as required under s. DHS 83.49 (2) (e), unless the CBRF is equipped with a sprinkler system as required under s. DHS 83.48 (8).

(b) If a resident has an evacuation time of 4 or more minutes, with or without employee assistance, the CBRF shall have all of the following:

1. Sprinkler system as required under s. DHS 83.48 (8).

2. Vertical smoke separation between all floors.

3. Rated stair enclosure as required under ch. SPS 361.

4. Twenty-four hour awake qualified resident care staff.

(c) If a resident cannot be safely evacuated from their bedroom as determined by the CBRF's assessment, the CBRF shall instruct the resident to remain in the resident's bedroom and the CBRF shall meet all of the following re-quirements:

1. Be sprinklered as required under s. DHS 83.48 (8).

2. Notify the local fire department and identify the specific residents using point of rescue, and provide an up-to-date floor plan identifying where those resident rooms are located.

3. Have vertical smoke separation between all floors.

4. Have 24 hour awake qualified resident care staff.

(2) EMERGENCY AND DISASTER PLAN. (a) Written plan. The CBRF shall have a written plan for responding to emergencies and disasters that is readily available to all employees. The plan shall specify the responsibilities of em-ployees. The plan shall include all of the following:

1. Procedures for orderly evacuation or other department-approved response during an emergency or disaster. The plan shall include procedures for any resident who refuses to follow evacuation or emergency procedures.

2. The CBRF's response to serious illness or accidents.

3. Procedures to follow when a resident is missing.

4. The CBRF's preparation for and response to severe weather including tornado and flooding.

5. A route to dry land when the CBRF is located in a flood plain.

6. Location of an emergency shelter for the residents.

7. A means of transporting residents to the emergency shelter.

8. How meals and medications will be provided to residents at the emergency shelter.

(b) Exit diagram. The disaster plan shall have an exit diagram that shall be posted on each floor of the CBRF used by residents in a conspicuous place where it can be seen by the residents. The diagram shall identify the exit routes from the floor, including internal horizontal exits under par. (f) when applicable, smoke compartments or a designated meeting place outside and away from the building when evacuation to the outside is the planned response to a fire alarm.

(c) Emergency and disaster procedures. Fire, tornado, flooding or other emergency or disaster procedures shall be clearly communicated to a new resident within 72 hours after admission.

(d) Fire drills. 1. Fire evacuation drills shall be conducted at least quarterly with both employees and residents. Drills shall be limited to the employees scheduled to work at that time. Documentation shall include the date and time of the drill and the CBRF's total evacuation time. The CBRF shall record residents having an evacuation time greater than the time allowed under s. DHS 83.35 (5) and the type of assistance needed for evacuation. Fire evacuation drills may be announced in advance.

2. At least one fire evacuation drill shall be held annually that simulates the conditions during usual sleeping hours. Fire evacuation drills may be announced in advance. Drills shall be limited to the employees scheduled to work during the residents' normal sleeping hours.

(e) Other evacuation drills. Tornado, flooding, or other emergency or disaster evacuation drills shall be conducted at least semi-annually.

(f) Horizontal evacuation. The CBRF shall have approval from the department before including horizontal evacua-tion in the emergency and disaster plan. CBRFs using horizontal evacuation shall document the total evacuation time of the fire zone evacuated.

(g) Use of area of refuge. The local fire department shall be made aware of the areas of refuge, if any, and the potential number of residents who would use the areas of refuge. Evacuation procedures involving fire department personnel shall be conducted at the option of the fire department. CBRFs using areas of refuge shall comply with con-struction requirements under s. DHS 83.51.

(h) Posting of emergency phone numbers. The phone numbers for emergency services shall be posted near phones used by CBRF employees.

(3) FIRE INSPECTION. The CBRF shall arrange for an annual inspection by the local fire authority or certified fire inspector and shall retain fire inspection reports for 2 years.

(4) FIRE EXTINGUISHER. (a) At least one portable dry chemical fire extinguisher with a minimum 2A, 10-B-C rating shall be provided on each floor of the CBRF. All fire extinguishers shall be maintained in readily usable condition. In-spections of the fire extinguisher shall be done by a qualified professional one year after initial purchase and annually thereafter. Each fire extinguisher shall be provided with a tag documenting the date of inspection.

(b) A fire extinguisher shall be mounted on a wall or a post or in an unlocked wall cabinet used exclusively for that purpose. Fire extinguishers shall be clearly visible. The route to the fire extinguisher shall be unobstructed and the top of the fire extinguisher shall not be over 5 feet high. The extinguisher shall not be tied down, locked in a cabinet or placed in a closet or on the floor. Fire extinguishers on upper floors shall be located at the top of each stairway. Extin-guishers shall be located so the travel distance between extinguishers does not exceed 75 feet. The extinguisher on the kitchen floor level shall be mounted in or near the kitchen.

(5) SMOKING. Each CBRF shall develop and implement a written policy on smoking. The policy shall designate areas where smoking is permitted, if any, and shall be clearly communicated to residents. Designated smoking areas shall be well ventilated or have an alternate means of eliminating smoke.