LAW
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Ohio Laws and Rules
(A) Each community alternative home shall comply with the following fire protection standards:
(1) Each home shall develop a written evacuation procedure which shall be explained to each resident and posted on each floor of the home. The residence manager and any individual employed by or affiliated with the home shall be trained in fire control and evacuation procedures within the time specified in paragraph (H) of rule 3701-16-13 of the Administrative Code.
(a) Each home shall conduct fire drills at least four times each year, with each individual employed by or affiliated with the home and each resident participating in at least one drill annually. and
(b) The written procedure shall include a floor plan indicating the location of the smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, evacuation routes and exits, and a plan for evacuating all individuals in the home, including procedures for evacuating residents with impaired mobility,.
(2) Each home shall install and maintain, in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, at least one battery-operated smoke detector, or electrical smoke detector with battery back-up, on each floor of the home, including the basement and attic (except for crawl spaces and unfinished attics). The smoke detectors shall bear the seal of “Underwriters Laboratories.” At least one such smoke detector shall be installed in each of the following places:
(a) In each hallway where resident bedrooms are located; and
(b) In or near each designated smoking area and kitchen area.
The home shall check each smoke detector monthly to ensure that the battery is charged and functioning and shall maintain records documenting these monthly checks. The home shall establish, for each resident who has a handicap or disability for which a smoke detector is an ineffective fire alert mechanism, an alternate fire alert mechanism which will warn the resident;
(3) Each home shall provide and maintain the following types of fire extinguishers tested and listed by “Underwriters Laboratory” or “Factory Mutual” :
(a) At least one “40 BC” dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen area; and
(b) At least one “2A-10 BC” dry chemical fire extinguisher on each floor of the home. Each extinguisher shall be inspected annually and refilled as necessary by an individual certified by the state fire marshal. The label on the extinguisher shall show the date of its annual inspection and refilling;.
(4) Each home shall prohibit the use of electrical cooking appliances in residents’ bedrooms;
(5) Each home shall store paints, varnishes, lacquers, thinners, and all other flammable materials and liquids in a safe manner. Combustible materials shall not be stored within two feet of any heater;
(6) Each home shall locate non-ambulatory individuals’ bedrooms on a floor that exits to ground level. For the purposes of this paragraph, “nonambulatory” means that the individual is unable to get in and out of bed independently, or walk without physical assistance from another individual, or requires a wheelchair;
(7) Each home shall prominently display the telephone numbers of the fire department, police department, and other emergency numbers at each telephone in the home. The home shall not require residents or caregivers to obtain approval from the residence manager or owner prior to telephoning for emergency assistance;
(8) Each home shall establish and enforce an appropriate smoking policy. If smoking is permitted, the policy, at minimum, shall address smoking hours, smoking areas, and requirements for supervision, if any;
(9) Each home shall have its heating system checked annually by a heating contractor. The home shall maintain the system in good, safe operating condition;
(10) Each home shall maintain all electrical systems including appliances, cords, switches, lighting fixtures, and lamps in good, safe operating condition;
(11) Each home shall prohibit use of heating devices other than a central heating system or any of the following devices:
(a) Suspended unit heaters or unit heaters in locations other than means of egress and resident sleeping areas. These heaters may be used only if they are located high enough to be out of the reach of individuals using the area and if they have safety features to stop the flow of fuel or electricity immediately in case of either excessive temperatures or ignition failure;
(b) Fireplaces and firestoves only in areas other than resident bedrooms. The home shall ensure that fireplaces and firestoves are used safely. Use of fireplaces with exposed gas flames is prohibited. The home shall equip fireplaces with fireplace enclosures. The home shall ensure that fireplaces and firestoves are installed properly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and are cleaned and inspected every two years by an independent fireplace or firestove cleaning company. A staff member shall supervise the use of a firestove. In deciding whether or not to maintain an operable fireplace or firestove, the facility shall consider the capabilities and needs of its residents, the likelihood of resident accidents, and the need for safety precautions or guards in addition to the requirements of this paragraph; or
(c) Portable space-heating devices, if the heating elements are not open flame devices or exposed coils. Use of kerosene heaters is prohibited. Space heaters shall be grounded properly. The home shall ensure that extension cords are not used with space heaters unless the insulation and wire gauge are acceptable to the director; and
(12) Each home shall maintain all interior and exterior doors in safe operating condition and shall ensure that they are capable of latching securely when closed.
(B) If the home occupies only a portion of the building, the entire building shall comply with this rule unless the part of the building to be licensed and its exit system are completely separated from the rest of the building by a wall having a fire resistance rating of at least two hours.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 01/09/2009 and 01/01/2014
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3724.05
Rule Amplifies: 3724.03
Prior Effective Dates: 8/29/1988 (Emer.), 11/27/94, 2/13/99