16 Del. Admin. Code § 3301-5.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 3301-5.0 - Plant, Equipment and Physical Environment

5.1 Site Provisions:

Each group home for persons with AIDS shall be located on a site which is considered suitable by the Division of Public Health. The site must be safe easily drained, suitable for the disposal of sewage, and for the furnishing of a potable water supply.

5.2 Water Supply and Sewage Disposal:

5.2.1 The water supply and the sewage, disposal system shall be approved by the Division of Public Health and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control respectively.

5.2.2 The water system shall be designed to supply adequate hot and cold water, under pressure, at all times.

5.2.3 Hot water at shower, bathing and hand washing facilities shall not exceed 110°F (43°C).

5.3 Building:

5.3.1 The building shall be so constructed and maintained to prevent the entrance or existence of rodents and insects at all times. An exterior openings shall be effectively screened during the fly season. Screen doors shall open outward. All screening shall have at least sixteen (16) mesh per inch.

5.3.2 The root exterior walls, doors, sky lights and windows shall be weather tight and watertight and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.

5.3.3 The exterior of the site shall be free from hazards and also from the accumulation of litter.

5.3.4 Floor and wall surfaces of bathrooms, kitchens, and soiled utility rooms shall be constructed and maintained to be impervious to water and to permit the floor and walls to be easily kept in a clean condition.

5.3.5 Basements shall be of such construction that they can be maintained in a dry and sanitary condition.

5.3.6 Main entrance areas shall open into general or group function areas, usually living rooms.

5.3.7 The group home facility must be handicapped accessible. The entrance and circulation areas shall meet appropriate American National Standards Institute ('A.N.S.I.') standards and all other State and Federal standards.

5.3.8 One of the main points of entry for the facility shall provide entry closet capacity for outdoor and foul weather clothing.

5.3.9 Traffic to and from any room shall not be through a bedroom bathroom, utility room or kitchen except where a utility room, toilet room or bathroom opens directly off the room it serves.

5.4 Plumbing:

The plumbing shall meet the requirements of all municipal or county codes. Where there is no local law, the provisions of the Division of Public Health Sanitary Plumbing Code shall prevail.

5.5 Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning:

5.5.1 The heating equipment for all living and sleeping quarters shall be adequate, safe, protected, and easily controlled. It shag be capable of maintaining the temperature in each room used by residents at a minimum of 72°F (21°C). Portable heating devices shall not be used.

5.5.2 The group home must be adequately ventilated. Air conditioning equipment must be adequate and capable of maintaining the temperature in each room used by residents between 72°F 82°F.

5.6 Lighting:

Each room must be suitably lighted at all times for maximum safety, comfort sanitation and efficiency of operation. A minimum of 30 foot candles of fight shall be provided for all working and reading surfaces, and a minimum of 10 foot candles of fight on all other areas. This includes hallways, stairways, storerooms and bathrooms.

5.7 Safety Equipment:

5.7.1 To prevent slipping, staircases shall have stair treads and sturdy handrails.

5.7.2 Floor surfaces, especially in heavy traffic areas shall be durable, yet non abrasive and slip-resistant. Area rugs on hand finished floors shall have a non skid backing. Carpeting shall be maintained in a clean and slip-resistant condition.

5.7.3 All doors for areas used by residents shall be capable of being opened from both sides.

5.8 Bedrooms:

5.8.1 Each room shall be an outside room with at least one (1) window opening directly to the outside. The windowsill shall be at least three (3) feet above the floor and above grade. Windows shall be constructed to allow a maximum of sunlight and air, to eliminate drafts, and be easy to open and close. Window area shall be no less than the equivalent of one-tenth (1/10) of the floor space.

5.8.2 Bedrooms for one (1) person shall be at least 100 square feet in size; and bedrooms for more than one (1) person shall provide at least 80 square feet of floor space per person and be adequately spaced for resident care. (Minimum room areas are exclusively of toilet rooms, closets lockers, wardrobes, alcoves or vestibules). The ceiling shall not be less than seven (7) feet from the floor.

5.8.3 Each bedroom is to have walls that go to the ceiling and a door that can be closed.

5.8.4 Adequate electrical outlets shall be conveniently located in each room and each room shall have general lighting and night lighting. A reading light shall be provided for each resident. At least one light fixture shall be switched at the entrance to each bedroom.

5.8.5 Facilities shall ensure adequate privacy and separation of sexes in sleeping arrangements except in cases of husband or wife or other long term consensual partnership arrangements.

5.8.6 If bedroom doors of residents are locked by residents for privacy reasons, all persons on duty must carry a master key for these locks.

5.8.7 Bedrooms shall accommodate no more than two residents per room.

5.8.8 Bedrooms shall contain a separate bed of proper size and height for each resident.

5.8.9 Each resident shall be provided with at least one chair, chest-of-drawers, closet space with a clothes rack and shelves, and a mirror.

5.8.10 Bedroom windows shall have window treatment(s) that close for privacy.

5.8.11 Bedroom doors shall open directly into corridors or hallways.

5.9 Bathrooms and Hand Washing Facilities:

5.9.1 At least one (1) window or mechanical ventilation to the outside shall be provided.

5.9.2 Bathroom design shall bee handicapped accessible and meet appropriate American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards.

5.9.3 Toilets, showers, bathtubs and wash basins shall provide accessible traffic patterns for all resident rooms.

5.9.4 Toilets, bathing and toileting appliances shall be equipped for use by multiple handicapped residents.

5.9.5 There shall be at least one toilet of appropriate size for every four clients:

5.9.5.1 Each toilet shall be equipped with a toilet seat and toilet tissue.

5.9.5.2 Separate toilet facilities with hand washing must be provided for staff.

5.9.6 There shall be at least one hand washing sink for every four clients. Hand washing facilities shall be readily accessible to residents and staff. Hand washing facilities shall be provided in each resident room or located in an adjoining toilet room available at a reasonable distance from the resident room.

5.9.7 There shall be at least one tub or shower equipped with grip bars and slip resistant surfaces for every four residents. At least one shower must be handicapped accessible without curbs.

5.9.8 Wash basins shall be available in or immediately adjacent to bathrooms and toilet rooms.

5.9.9 Bathroom areas shall be equipped with mirrors for personal grooming. Mirrors shall be installed in such a way to minimize the danger or breakage.

5.10 Day Room and Dining Area:

5.10.1 There shall be at least 30 square feet per client within the house, not including client bedrooms, for recreation, dining and program activities.

5.10.2 When a multi-purpose room is used for dining and recreation, it shall have sufficient space to accommodate all activities and to prevent interference among activities.

5.10.3 Basement space may be used for recreation activities if there are a minimum of two fire exits.

5.10.4 Appropriate leisure and mealtime furniture, as well as comfortable seating shall be provided for each resident.

5.11 Kitchen and Pantry/Storage Areas:

5.11.1 The kitchen shall provide sufficient space to carry out proper food preparation and dishwashing operations and shall have:

5.11.1.1 Walls, floors and counters with coverings which are easily cleaned and impervious to water. Food contact surfaces, utensils and equipment shall be of approved material, cleanable and shall be kept in good repair.

5.11.1.2 At least one (1) refrigerator in proper working order, capable of maintaining foods at 41°F, or below, as determined in the warmest part of the refrigerator, and one (1) freezing unit, in proper working order capable of maintaining frozen foods in a continuous frozen state.

5.11.1.3 At least one (1) four burner range and one (1) oven which are in proper working order.

5.11.1.4 A dishwasher shall be provided to effectively remove food sod and soaps or detergents from dishes, utensils and equipment used in food storage, preparation and service. The dishwasher must be supplied with hot water of 165°F. If a dishwasher is not used, dishes, equipment, and utensils shall first be washed, next rinsed, and then sanitized according to the following:

5.11.1.4.1 Immersion for at least one-half (1/2) minute in clean, hot water of a temperature of at least 1700 F;

5.11.1.4.2 Immersion for at least one (1) minute in a clean solution containing at least fifty (50) parts per million of available chlorine as a hypochlorite (household bleach or the equivalent) and having a temperature of at least 750F.

5.11.2 Cleaned dishes, utensils and equipment shall be stored in a clean dry area protected from contamination by splash, dust or other means.

5.12 Sanitation and Housekeeping:

5.12.1 All rooms and every part of the building shall be kept clean, orderly and free of offensive odors.

5.12.2 Policy manuals shall be prepared and followed which outline maintenance and cleaning procedures safe storage of cleaning materials and pesticides and other potentially toxic materials, and safe storage and handling of linen and other matters which pertain to the comfort and safety of the residents.

5.12.3 There shall be a minimum of three sets of towels, washcloths, sheets and pillowcases for each resident which shall be changed at least weekly or whenever soiled.

5.12.4 There shall be separate areas for storage of

5.12.4.1 Food items.

5.12.4.2 Cleaning agents, disinfectants and polishes.

5.12.4.3 Poisons, chemicals and pesticides.

5.12.4.4 Eating, serving and cooking utensils.

5.12.5 A ventilated janitors closet must be provided containing a service sink for storage and use of housekeeping items.

5.12.6 Laundry processing must limit the handling of laundry and must utilize universal precautions in the handling of all soiled laundry.

5.12.6.1 On-site laundry processing area must include:

5.12.6.1.1 One room with areas for receiving, sorting, and washing of soiled linen. Washers must be supplied with hot water of 160°F. Room must be property ventilated with air flow under negative pressure in relation to adjacent areas.

5.12.6.1.2 One room for drying and folding of clean linen. Room must have hand washing immediately accessible and be properly ventilated with air flow under positive pressure in relation to adjacent areas.

5.12.6.2 Off-site laundry processing must comply with the following:

5.12.6.2.1 A contract with a commercial laundry must be obtained for the proper processing of soiled linen.

5.12.6.2.2 A property ventilated soiled linen holding room (ventilated directly outside, with an air flow under negative pressure) or a designated area in the soiled utility room shall be provided for the storage of soiled linen.

5.12.6.2.3 A clean linen storage closet sufficient for the storage of clean linen must be provided.

5.12.7 Soiled utility room for storage of regulated infectious waste, sharps and disposal of body fluids must be provided and must contain a work counter, hand washing facilities, clinical sink or other bed pan cleaning device. This room must be property ventilated directly outside with air flow under negative pressure in relation to adjacent area (10 total air exchanges per hour).

5.13 Nursing Equipment and Supplies:

5.13.1 There shall be sufficient equipment and supplies for nursing care to meet the needs of each resident. It shall be the responsibility of the administrator to obtain specific items required for individual cases.

5.13.2 Over the bed tables shall be provided for residents who may not be able to be served a meal in the dining room.

5.13.3 There shall be sufficient space and facilities available for the proper cleansing, disinfection, sterilization (if done on premises) and storage of nursing supplies and equipment.

5.13.4 A call system shall be provided for each resident. This system shall be accessible to each bed, each toilet room bathroom and shower room used by residents.

5.13.5 The facility shall maintain a scale on the premises which can accommodate the physical condition of each resident.

5.13.6 The group home provider shall provide bag and mask for assisted ventilation.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 3301-5.0

5 DE Reg. 1079 (11/1/01)