Section 8.6 - SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARINGSleeping accommodations for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing required by 521 CMR 8.4.5 shall comply with the following requirements for smoke/fire/safety alarms, visual signal devices, telephones, televisions, alarm clocks and climate controls.
8.6.1 Auxiliary Visual Alarms: Sleeping Accommodations shall be equipped with auxiliary visual alarms which comply with 521 CMR 40.4: a. a visual alarm connected to the building emergency alarm system; orb. a standard 110-volt electrical receptacle into which such an alarm can be connected and a means by which a signal from the building emergency alarm system can trigger such an auxiliary alarm. Such receptacle shall be connected to the emergency or standby power, (if provided in the building ). The visual alarm signal shall be visible in all areas of the unit or room. Instructions for use of the auxiliary alarm or receptacle shall be provided.
8.6.2 Visual Notification Devices shall be provided in sleeping accommodations to alert room occupants of incoming telephone calls and a door knock or doorbell. Visual notification devices shall not be connected to auxiliary visual alarm signal appliances.8.6.3 Telephones: Telephones in rooms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing shall have volume controls complying with 521 CMR 37.00: PUBLIC TELEPHONES. An accessible electrical outlet within 48 inches (48" = 1219mm) of a telephone connection shall be provided to facilitate the use of a Text Telephone (TTY ).8.6.4 Televisions: Where televisions are provided in sleeping rooms or suites, the operator of the facility shall provide a television amplifier and a caption decoder in rooms for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.8.6.5 Equivalent Facilitation: For rooms required under 521 CMR 8.3.5, the operator of a facility may either permanently install the equipment required under 521 CMR 8.5 or may elect to install electrical outlets (including outlets connected to a facility's central alarm system) and telephone wiring in sleeping rooms and suites to enable persons with hearing impairments to utilize portable visual alarms and communication devices, which shall be provided by the operator of the facility.