Rule 111-8-19-.11 - Physical Plant and Safety(1) Required Approvals. (a) A program shall be in compliance with all applicable local health, sanitation, building, and zoning requirements. (b) A program shall be in compliance with all applicable laws and rules issued by the state fire Marshall, the proper local fire marshal or state inspector, and shall have a certificate of occupancy if required.(2) All buildings and grounds shall be constructed and maintained in a safe manner and in accordance with these rules.(3) A program shall have appropriate and sufficient space to meet the programmatic needs of its clients, and carry out the program's array of services. Such space shall include areas conducive to privacy for counseling and group activities, reception/waiting areas, and bathrooms which assure privacy for collection of urine specimens.(4) Sleeping Areas - Residential Programs.(a) For residential programs initially licensed or expanded after the effective date of this rule, sleeping areas shall contain not less than 60 square feet of useable floor space per resident in multiple use bedroom and not less than 100 square feet of useable space in single bedrooms.(b) Each resident shall be provided with his or her own personal space and furnishings for storage of clothes and personal belongings.(c) Each resident shall be provided with his or her own personal bed and mattress. Clean sheets, pillows, and pillow cases, blankets or bed covering shall be provided and sheets and pillow cases shall be changed as needed, but at least weekly.(d) Bedrooms shall be provided with outside ventilation by means of windows, air conditioners, or mechanical ventilation. All rooms that have windows that can be opened without special devices shall have insert window screens and the windows and screens must be in good repair.(5) Lavatory and Bathing Facilities - Residential Programs.(a) For residential programs initially licensed or expanded after the effective date of this rule, there shall be at least one lavatory (water basin and toilet) with hot and cold water for every six residents or fraction thereof. Lavatories that contain more than one toilet shall contain stalls for individual privacy. All lavatories shall be properly ventilated.(b) For residential programs initially licensed or expanded after the effective date of this rule, there shall be at least one shower or bathtub with hot and cold water for every ten residents or fraction thereof. Bathtubs and shower stalls shall be equipped with non-slip surfaces.(6) Dining Area - Residential Programs. There shall be a separate furnished dining area for serving meals that contains not less than ten square feet of useable floor space for each resident being served.(7) Climate Control and Pest Control - Residential Programs. A program shall be maintained at a temperature range of sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit (72 degrees if serving pregnant women, infants or small children) to eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the season of the year. An effective pest control system shall be implemented and documentation on file as to actions taken.(8) Off-site Residences. Programs which provide off-site residences as a part of their programs must ensure that the residences also meet the above requirements.(9) Premises. All grounds, space, and facilities, both those within the program and those regularly used by residents as an integral part of the program, shall be kept clean and free from hazards to health and safety and from litter.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-19-.11
O.C.G.A. §§ 26-5-5, 26-5-6.
Original Rule entitled "Physical Plant and Safety" adopted. F. Sep. 9, 2013; eff. Sept. 29, 2013.