Section 0250-04-02-.09 - PHYSICAL FACILITIES(1) All group care facilities shall be constructed according to standards approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment and the Fire Safety Division of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, including provisions of the current Life Safety Code applicable to the homes regulated hereunder.(2) All group care homes shall be inspected and approved annually by the designated Fire Safety Authority and by representatives from the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. (Refer to Appendices A and B.) The Agency must be in compliance with the applicable regulations and standards of these authorities including the current Life Safety Code applicable to the homes regulated hereunder in order to obtain or retain a license.(3) All family boarding homes shall meet the standards set forth in Appendix A, C, and D.(4) The licensing consultant shall inspect the Family Boarding Homes using Appendix A, C and D.(5) There must be a family-type setting and living arrangements which enhance family living. (a)Living Room: There must be a living room or den for each group of children.(b)Sleeping Provisions:1. Each child must have a separate bed of suitable size;2. Children of opposite sex over the age of five (5) must not sleep in the same room;3. Children must not sleep in the same room with adults. Exceptions may be desirable on in frequent occasions and for short periods of time in case of illness or temporary emotional upset.4. Sixty-five (65) square feet of floor space in the sleeping area must be available for the first child and 50 square feet must be available for each additional child; and5. There shall be no more than four children per sleeping room.(c)Kitchen:1. The kitchen must be equipped to ensure sanitary conditions;2. There must be a satisfactory method of refrigeration;3. There must be enough dishes and silverware to serve the household, suitable to a child's use and similar to an adults;4. Cooking and eating utensils must be kept in storage space which is protected from dust, insects, and other pests;5. Space that is secure and well out of the reach of children must be provided for storage of all bleaches, corrosives, poisons, or any chemicals that have a manufacturer's warning; and6. There must be enough tables and chairs to provide accommodations without crowding and they must be kept clean.(d)Sanitary Facilities:1. One flush toilet, one handwashing facility, and one shower or tub for every four children must be provided in the home;2. There must be adequate and sanitary sewage disposal;3. The water supply must be obtained from a source or system approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment;4. All garbage must be placed in a tightly covered container and disposed of in a sanitary manner;5. Individual towels and washcloths must be provided for each child and provision must be made to keep all toilet articles separate; and6. All children's equipment must be kept clean. (6) SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:(a) Measures must be taken to remove hazards and to prevent accidents.(b) Children with physical and emotional handicaps must be protected through appropriate and specific measures.(c) There must be adequate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to ensure fire safety.(d) Each home must have posted, in a visible and accessible location, a written plan for evacuation.(e) Children must be trained in emergency evacuation procedures.(f) Emergency telephone numbers must be immediately accessible to the telephone.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0250-04-02-.09
Original rule certified June 10, 1974. Repeal and new rule filed July 27, 1978; effective September 11, 1978. Repeal and new rule filed January 20, 1984; February 19, 1984. Repeal and new rule filed February 26, 1991; effective April 12, 1991. Rule assigned new control number, removed and renumbered from 1240-4-2-.09 filed and effective March 25, 1999.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-226(b)(2);37-5-101; 37-5-105; 37-5-106; 37-5-112(a); 71-1-105(12) and 71-3-501 et seq.