Rule 5122-30-14 | Sleeping and living space.
(A) Each facility shall have a minimum of eighty square feet per resident for a single occupancy bedroom, and a minimum of sixty square feet per resident for a multiple occupancy bedroom. Regardless of the availability of the square footage, in class one facilities no more than four residents may share a bedroom and no more than two residents may share a bedroom in class two and three facilities. In facilities with child or adolescent residents, multiple occupancy bedrooms shall be used only for residents of the same sex.
Any facility licensed by the department on the effective date of this rule that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph shall be exempt from the minimum space requirement so long as room was used as a bedroom as of the effective date of this rule, and the facility does not decrease the size of the bedroom and remains continuously licensed.
(B) Each resident shall be provided with a comfortable bed, with springs or other means of support, and mattress in good and sanitary condition. Rollaway beds, hide-a-beds, or cots may not be used. Waterproof mattress covers shall be provided for residents needing them. In facilities with child or adolescent residents, bunk beds may be utilized, but shall be equipped with safety rails on the upper tier for residents under age ten, or for any resident whose condition indicates the need for such protection. No beds shall be bunked higher than two tiers.
(C) Bedrooms for residents shall not be in areas such as cellars, basements, hallways, dining rooms, porches, or attics, except that a walk-out finished basement bedroom is permissible. The bedroom(s) shall not be on a floor higher than a second floor unless approved, in writing, by a fire safety inspector. Each bedroom shall be adequately ventilated, and shall have at least one screened window to the outside. Bedroom window exceptions may only be granted by local building code officials or certified fire authorities.
(D) Bedrooms for non-ambulatory individuals shall be on a floor that exits directly to the ground level.
(E) The entrance to a resident's bedroom shall not be through another bedroom or bathroom. Each resident's bedroom should have a standard door that can be securely closed. The bedroom shall have sufficient space to accommodate the unobstructed passage of wheelchairs and walkers between beds and other items of furniture.
(F) Resident may share a bedroom only with other residents.
(G) Any locks on bedroom doors shall meet both of the following requirements:
(1) Any lock to residents' bedroom entrance doors shall be capable of being opened from the inside without the use of a key, such as by pushing a panic bar, releasing a deadbolt, or using similar means. The lock shall also be capable of being opened from the outside. The facility shall provide each resident with a key to his or her bedroom if it has a keyed lock; and
(2) If resident bedrooms have locks, the facility shall have duplicate keys or a master key available and accessible to the staff members on duty at all times for use in cases of emergency;
(H) Adequate drawer and closet space shall be provided for each resident to store his/her own clothes and personal belongings. Storage space shall be in the bedroom of each facility serving adults and each adult shall have upon request an individual locked storage space provided by the facility freely available within the facility, with the exception of crisis stabilization units. Facilities serving children shall have some storage space in bedrooms, and additional storage of clothes and belongings may be in staff monitored areas of the facility.
Each facility shall develop a policy regarding the facility's access to the resident's locked storage space and inform the resident of this policy upon admission to the facility.
(I) The bedrooms in class 2 and 3 facilities shall be furnished by the facility comparably in appearance; in terms of wall coverings, floor coverings and general decor; to other bedrooms used by other household members.
(J) Residents shall be permitted to personalize their rooms, as appropriate.
(K) Each facility shall have at least sixty square feet, per household member, of common indoor living space for recreation, socialization, and other activities. Bedroom space, hallways, unfinished basements, storage, laundry, lavatory and bathing facilities are not to be included in the sixty square feet. Any facility licensed by the department on the effective date of this rule that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph shall be exempt from the minimum space requirement so long as the facility does not decrease the size of the living space and remains continuously licensed.
Any facility licensed by the department on the effective date of this rule that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph shall be exempt from the minimum space requirement so long as the facility does not decrease the size of the living space and remains continuously licensed.
(L) Each facility shall provide a living area where residents may engage in social, recreational, and leisure activities on a daily basis; including a working television that is able to receive at least the four major broadcast channels. The living area shall be well-lighted and adequately heated and ventilated. It shall contain sufficient, comfortable, safe, and functional furniture to ensure a seating place for at least fifty per cent of the total number of residents. The living area shall not be used as a bedroom by anyone.
The furniture in the living space shall be suitable and comfortable furnishings such as a sofa, armchairs, tables and lamps.
(M) The facility shall provide a dining area where residents may eat meals. The dining area, table, and seating places shall be of sufficient size and number to allow at least fifty per cent of all residents to eat comfortably together at one time. All furniture shall be comfortable, safe, and functional.
If there is not enough seating for all residents at the same time, the facility shall offer meals at a second time for the benefit of those residents who could not be seated at the first serving.
(N) Each facility shall provide adequate indoor toilet, lavatory, and bathing facilities equipped with hot and cold running water. Hot water shall be between one hundred five and one hundred twenty degrees fahrenheit.
(O) At least one toilet and one lavatory shall be provided for each six household members in the facility, as well as at least one bath tub or shower for each eight household members. Accessibility to toilets, lavatories, bathtubs and showers for resident use shall not be through another bedroom or bathroom. Toilet, lavatory, and bathing facilities shall provide individual privacy.
Any facility licensed by the department on the effective date of this rule that does not meet the requirements of this paragraph shall be exempt from the paragraph so long as the facility does not decrease the number of bathrooms in the facility and remains continuously licensed.
(P) Each facility shall provide a comfortable, welcoming environment which promotes the unrestricted inclusion and participation of residents.
(Q)
The facility shall provide, at no additional charge, laundry equipment and supplies, or laundry services, if needed by the resident. The facility may provide a washer and dryer in the facility, or may provide residents with transportation to and from a laundromat. In facilities with child or adolescent residents, if laundry facilities are furnished for residents' use, such facilities shall be provided in an area that is readily observed by staff.
(R) Each class two and class three facility shall maintain at least one working refrigerator which shall always be unlocked and accessible to residents, and shall contain beverages and snacks for the residents' consumption.
(S) Each facility shall provide at least one working telephone to which adult residents have unrestricted access at all times. Residents shall not be charged for local calls. Access in a class one facility may be restricted only according to the resident's ITP. Access for children/adolescents shall be in accordance with provider policies and procedures.
Telephones may be cordless, but cellular telephones shall not be used as the sole telephone accessible to residents.
(T) The facility shall be accessible and available to residents at all times consistent with written house rules or policies and procedures concerning the comfort, security, and respect for the rights of all residents. Adult residents shall not be required to vacate the facility for specified time periods, or because of the absence of the operator and/or staff.
Supplemental Information