Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0720-21-.13

Current through September 10, 2024

Section 0720-21-.13 - DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

(1) The administration of every facility shall have in effect and available for all supervisory personnel and staff, written copies of the following required disaster plans for the protection of all persons in the event of fire and other emergencies for evacuation to areas of refuge and/or evacuation from the building. A detailed log with staff signatures of training received shall be maintained. All employees shall be trained annually as required in the following plans and shall be kept informed with respect to their duties under the plans. A copy of the plans and the specific emergency numbers related to that type of disaster shall be readily available at all times. Each of the following plans shall be exercised annually:

(a) Fire Safety Procedures Plan shall include:

1. Minor fires;

2. Major fires;

3. Fighting the fire;

4. Evacuation procedures; and

5. Staff functions.

(b) Tornado/Severe Weather Procedures Plan shall include:

1. Staff duties; and

2. Evacuation procedures.

(c) Bomb Threat Procedures Plan:

1. Staff duties;

2. Search team, searching the premises;

3. Notification of authorities;

4. Location of suspicious objects; and

5. Evacuation procedures.

(d) Flood Procedure Plan, if applicable:

1. Staff duties;

2. Evacuation procedures; and

3. Safety procedures following the flood.

(e) Severe Cold Weather and Severe Hot Weather Procedure Plans:

1. Staff duties;

2. Equipment failures;

3. Evacuation procedures; and

4. Emergency food service.

(f) Earthquake Disaster Procedures Plan:

1. Staff duties;

2. Evacuation procedures;

3. Safety procedures; and

4. Emergency services.

(2) All facilities shall participate in the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency local/county emergency plan on an annual basis. Participation includes filling out and submitting a questionnaire on a form to be provided by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency. Documentation of participation must be maintained and shall be made available to survey staff as proof of participation.

(3) For facilities which elect to have an emergency generator, the generator shall be designed to meet the facility's HVAC and essential needs and shall have a minimum of twenty-four (24) hours of fuel designed to operate at its rated load. This requirement shall be coordinated with the Disaster Preparedness Plan or with local resources.

(a) All generators shall be exercised for thirty (30) minutes each month under full load, including automatic and manual transfer of equipment.

(b) The emergency generator shall be operated at the existing connected load and not on dual power, and a monthly log shall be maintained by the facility. The facility shall have trained staff familiar with the generator's operation.

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0720-21-.13

Original rule filed February 9, 1998; effective April 25, 1998. Repeal and new rule filed July 27, 2000; effective October 10, 2000. Transferred from chapter 1200-08-11 pursuant to Public Chapter 1119 of 2022 effective 7/1/2022.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-202, 4-5-204, 68-11-202, 68-11-204, 68-11-206, and 68-11-209.