Document Citation: K.A.R. ยง 28-4-1215

Header:
KANSAS ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS
AGENCY 28 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
ARTICLE 4. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH


Date:
08/31/2009

Document:

28-4-1215. Environmental standards.

(a) General building requirements.

(1) Each licensee shall ensure that public water and sewage systems, where available, are used. If public water and sewage systems are not available, each licensee shall maintain approval by the appropriate health authorities for any private water and sewage systems that are used.

(2) A licensed architect shall be responsible for the plans for any newly constructed building or for any major addition or major alteration to an existing building.

(A) For a new building, preliminary plans and outline specifications, including plot plans, shall be submitted to the department for review before commencing the final working drawings and specifications. Each licensee shall submit the final working drawings, construction specifications, and plot plans to the department for review and written approval before the letting of contracts.

(B) For an addition or alteration to an existing building, each licensee shall submit a written statement defining the proposed use of the construction and detailing the plans and specifications to the department for review and written approval before commencing construction.

(3) If construction is not commenced within one year of submitting a proposal for a new building or an addition or alteration to an existing building, each licensee shall resubmit the plans and proposal to the department before proposed construction begins.

(b) Location and grounds requirements.

(1) Community resources, including health services, police protection, and fire protection from an organized fire department, shall be available.

(2) There shall be at least 100 square feet of outside activity space available for each resident allowed to utilize each outdoor area at any one time.

(3) The outside activity area shall be free of physical hazards.

(4) Sufficient space for visitor and staff parking at each PRTF shall be provided.

(c) Structural requirements and use of space. Each licensee shall ensure that the PRTF design, structure, interior and exterior environment, and furnishings promote a safe, comfortable, and therapeutic environment for the residents.

(1) Each PRTF shall be accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities.

(2) Each PRTF's structural design shall facilitate personal contact and interaction between staff members and residents.

(3) Each sleeping room shall meet the following requirements:

(A) No resident's room shall be in a basement.

(B) The minimum square footage of floor space shall be 80 square feet in each room occupied by one resident. Each room occupied by more than one resident shall have at least 60 square feet of floor space for each resident. At least one dimension of the usable floor space unencumbered by furnishings or fixtures shall be at least seven feet.

(C) The minimum ceiling height shall be seven feet eight inches over at least 90 percent of the room area.

(D) An even temperature of between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 78 degrees Fahrenheit shall be maintained, with an air exchange of at least four times each hour.

(E) Sleeping rooms occupied by residents shall have a window source of natural light. Access to a drinking water source and toilet facilities shall be available 24 hours a day.

(F) Separate beds with level, flat mattresses in good condition shall be provided for each resident. All beds shall be above the floor level.

(G) Clean bedding, adequate for the season, shall be provided for each resident. Bed linen shall be changed at least once a week or more frequently when soiled.

(4) Each sleeping room, day room, and classroom utilized by residents shall have lighting of at least 20 foot-candles in all parts of the room. There shall be lighting of at least 35 foot-candles in areas used for reading, study, or other close work.

(5) Adequate space for study and recreation shall be provided.

(6) Each living unit shall contain the following:

(A) Furnishings that provide sufficient seating for the maximum number of residents expected to use the area at any one time;

(B) writing surfaces that provide sufficient space for the maximum number of residents expected to use the area at any one time; and

(C) furnishings that are consistent with the needs of the residents.

(7) Each PRTF shall have adequate central storage for household supplies, bedding, linen, and recreational equipment.

(8) If the PRTF is on the same premises as that of another licensed facility, the living unit of the PRTF shall be maintained in a separate, self-contained unit. Residents of the PRTF shall not use space shared with another licensed facility at the same time unless the plan for the use of space is approved, in writing, by the secretary and by SRS.

(9) If a PRTF has one or more day rooms, each day room shall provide space for a variety of resident activities. Day rooms shall be situated immediately adjacent to the residents' sleeping rooms, but separated from the sleeping rooms by a floor-to-ceiling wall. Each day room shall provide at least 35 square feet for each resident, exclusive of lavatories, showers, and toilets, for the maximum number of residents expected to use the day room area at any one time.

(10) Each room used for sports and other physical activities shall provide floor space equivalent to at least 100 square feet for each resident utilizing the room for those purposes at any one time.

(11) Sufficient space shall be provided for visitation between residents and nonresidents. The PRTF shall have space for the screening and search of both residents and visitors, if screening and search are included in the PRTF's policies and procedures. Private space shall be available for searches as needed. Storage space shall be provided for the secure storage of visitors' coats, handbags, and other personal items not allowed into the visitation area.

(12) A working telephone shall be accessible to staff members in all areas of the building. Emergency numbers, including those for the fire department, the police, a hospital, a physician, the poison control center, and an ambulance, shall be posted by each phone.

(13) A service sink and a locked storage area for cleaning supplies shall be provided in a room or closet that is well ventilated and separate from kitchen and living areas.

(d) Bathroom facilities.

(1) For each eight or fewer residents of each sex, at least one toilet, one lavatory, and either a bathtub or a shower shall be provided. All toilets shall be above floor level.

(2) Each bathroom shall be ventilated to the outdoors by means of either a window or a mechanical ventilating system, with a minimum of 10 air changes each hour.

(3) Toilet and bathing accommodations and drinking water shall be in a location accessible to sleeping rooms and living and recreation rooms.

(4) Drinking water and at least one bathroom shall be accessible to the reception and admission areas.

(5) Cold water and hot water not exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit shall be supplied to lavatories, bathtubs, and showers.

(6) Liquid soap, toilet paper, and paper towels shall be available in all bathroom facilities.

(e) Building maintenance standards.

(1) Each building shall be clean at all times and free from vermin infestation.

(2) The walls shall be smooth, easily cleanable, and sound. Lead-free paint shall be used on all painted surfaces.

(3) The floors and walking surfaces shall be kept free of hazardous substances at all times.

(4) The floors shall not be slippery or cracked.

(5) Each rug or carpet used as a floor covering shall be slip-resistant and free from tripping hazards. A floor covering, paint, or sealant shall be required over concrete floors for all buildings used by the residents.

(6) All bare floors shall be swept and mopped daily.

(7) A schedule for cleaning each building shall be established and maintained.

(8) Washing aids, including brushes, dish mops, and other hand aids used in dishwashing activities, shall be clean and used for no other purpose.

(9) Mops and other cleaning tools shall be cleaned and dried after each use and shall be hung on racks in a well-ventilated place.

(10) Pesticides and any other poisons shall be used in accordance with the product instructions. These substances and all other poisons shall be stored in a locked area.

(11) Toilets, lavatories, sinks, and other such accommodations in the living areas shall be cleaned each day.