3701-54-07 School indoor environments inspections.

(A) All school indoor environments inspections shall include the following:

(1) There shall be a five-step or fifteen foot walk off mat at all entry points into the building. If the area cannot accommodate a fifteen foot mat, the mat should be as long as the area will accommodate;

(2) Doors shall be properly installed and maintained to fit tightly in their frame. Exterior doors shall have no cracks, gaps, or other visible openings that would all the entry of insects or other pests into the building;

(3) Indoor environments shall be sanitary with no signs of moisture, water damage or water intrusion, including but not limited to suspected mold, on any interior surface;

(4) There shall be no evidence of pests or obvious food sources for pests;

(5) Furniture and toys shall be cleanable, clean and in good repair;

(6) There shall be no excessive accumulation of chalk or marker dust and markers shall be low or no volatile organic compound emitting;

(7) Portable banquet tables, cafeteria tables and other portable furniture items, when not in a position intended for use, shall be stored in a manner that is inaccessible to students or shall be secured to the wall or floor to prevent injuries from tipping. Heavy furniture items shall be moved only by authorized personnel;

(8) Televisions and heavy equipment that may pose a hazard by tipping or falling shall be securely anchored to a cart, wall or floor and shall be moved only by authorized personnel;

(9) Free standing or mobile shelving shall not pose a tip-over hazard and shall be moved only by authorized personnel;

(10) Chemicals and cleaning products used in the classrooms shall be inaccessible to all students with the exception of chemicals used during classroom instruction. Material safety data sheets shall be available for chemicals or cleaning products not provided by the school;

(11) Walls shall have paint and plaster intact with no visible bowing or evidence of cracks or damage;

(12) Floors:

(a) Floors shall be sanitary and dry with no tripping hazards;

(b) Carpeting and vinyl cushion tufted textile shall be sanitary, dry and secure to the floor and not installed in vestibules and corridors within fifteen feet of all building entrances or in areas prone to moisture accumulation or proximate to moisture sources, including but not limited to locker rooms, restrooms, and spaces adjacent to sinks; and

(c) Area rugs shall be sanitary and in good repair.

(13) Ceilings shall be present, intact and sanitary with no water damage, stains, suspected mold or chipping or peeling paint;

(14) Window panes and frames shall be clean, intact and properly caulked and glazed;

(15) Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems shall:

(a) Have the thermostatic controls set to operate the fan continuously during occupied periods;

(b) Not have any excessive noise, vibration or odor from any system component;

(c) Not have any suspected mold or other debris on any system component;

(d) Have air filtration media in central air handling units and unit ventilators with a “Minimum Efficiency Rating Value” (MERV) of seven or greater;

(e) Have unobstructed air supply grills or outlets and air return grills or inlets with no rigged baffles, deflectors or barriers affixed; and

(f) Provide adequate ventilation to prevent reasonable health complaints and to remove or dilute contaminants within the capacity of the system.

(16) School environmental health and safety inspections may include assessment of temperature and relative humidity which should be kept, within the capacity of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system installed in the building, in accordance with appendix A to this rule;

(17) Animal(s) in the building shall be managed in the following ways:

(a) There shall be no excessive accumulation of animal waste in animal containers or cages;

(b) Animal containers or cages shall be equipped with properly fitting lids;

(c) Hand washing facilities shall be available and immediately used when animals are handled;

(d) Animals shall not be permitted to roam in the school building, except for therapy animals or animals that are used for assistance;

(e) Animals shall not be permitted on surfaces where food or drink is prepared or consumed;

(f) The following types of animals shall not be permitted:

(i) Nonhuman primates;

(ii) Rabies vector species, including racoons, bats, skunks, coyotes, or fox;

(iii) Wolves or wolf-dog hybrids;

(iv) Aggressive or unpredictable animals;

(v) Stray animals with unknown health and vaccination history;

(vi) Venomous or toxin-producing spiders, insects, reptiles, and amphibians;

(vii) Dogs, cats and ferrets under sixteen weeks of age; and

(viii) Dogs, cats and ferrets that are not current on rabies vaccinations.

(g) In addition to the animals listed in paragraph (A)(18)(f) of this rule, the following animals are not permitted in classrooms with children under five years of age:

(i) Ferrets;

(ii) Reptiles and amphibians; and

(iii) Chicks, ducklings and hatching eggs.

(h) All animal feed shall be in tightly sealed and labeled containers and separate from human food.

(18) Plumbing fixtures:

(a) All plumbing fixtures shall be in good repair;

(b) Drinking fountain streams shall crest a minimum of one inch above the mouth guard of the fountain;

(c) Schools shall have and implement a flushing protocol where lead pipes or lead-lined storage wells may be in use; and

(d) All sinks shall be maintained in accordance with paragraphs (F)(1) to (F)(5) of rule 3701-54-09 of the Administrative Code.

(19) Diapering facilities, if existing or upon installation:

(a) Hand washing facilities shall be available in rooms where restroom assistance is provided;

(b) Diapering facilities shall be sanitary and in good condition. Elevated diapering facilities shall be properly guarded to prevent falls.

(20) Lighting shall be provided at the proper level of foot-candles, as found in Appendix B of this rule, in all areas of the school building and shall be equipped with guarding when appropriate;

(21) There shall be no excessive noise in the school building so as to create hearing hazards or disrupt classroom instruction;

(22) Box and stand fans shall be properly guarded, clean and equipped with electrical cords that are maintained in good repair. Ceiling fans shall be clean and in good repair; and

(23) Stand alone laser pointers shall not be permitted on school grounds or in school buildings.

(B) Hallways and stairwells:

(1) There shall be no storage of furniture or other items in the hallway or stairwells that may impede egress from the building; and

(2) Stair treads and handrails shall be secure and in good repair.

Appendix A. Acceptable Temperature and Humidity Zone

See Figure at http://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/pdfs/3701/0/54/3701-54-07_PH_FF_N_APP1_20070917_1004.pdf

Appendix B. Lighting Levels

See Table at htp://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/pdfs/3701/0/54/3701-54-07_PH_FF_N_APP2_20070917_1004.pdf

Effective: 09/27/2007

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 09/27/2012

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 3701.935

Rule Amplifies: 3701.931, 3701.935