Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-202.5
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024
Rule 661-202.5 - General requirements for small group homes (specialized licensed facilities) licensed pursuant to Iowa Code section 135C.2 and for facilities in which foster care is provided by agencies to fewer than six children pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 237(1)Scope. This rule applies to specialized facilities licensed under the provisions of Iowa Code section 135C.2 which have three to five beds and serve persons with intellectual disabilities, chronic mental illness, developmental disabilities, or brain injuries. This rule shall also apply to facilities in which foster care is provided by agencies to fewer than six children pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 237.(2)Exits.a. There shall be a minimum of two approved exits from the main level of the home and from each level with resident sleeping rooms.b. Interior and exterior stairways shall have a minimum clear width of not less than 30 inches.(3)Windows. Every resident sleeping room shall have an outside window or outside door arranged and located to permit the venting of products of combustion and access to fresh air in the event of an emergency. a. In new construction, windows shall have a minimum net clear openable area of 5.7 square feet, minimum net clear openable height of 24 inches, and minimum net clear openable width of 20 inches, and the finished sill height shall be not more than 44 inches above the floor.b. In existing construction, the finished sill height shall be not more than 44 inches above the floor or may be accessible from a platform not more than 44 inches below the window sill.(4)Interior finish Interior finish in an exit shall be Class A, B or C.(5)Doors. Doors to resident sleeping rooms shall be a minimum of 13/8-inch solid core wood or equivalent.(6)Vertical separations. Basement stairs must be enclosed with one-hour rated partitions and 13/4 -inch solid core wood doors equipped with self-closers. These doors must be kept closed unless held open by an approved electromagnetic holder, actuated by an approved smoke detection device located at the top of the stairwell and interconnected with the alarm system.(7)Fire detection, fire alarms and sprinklers.a. The home shall have smoke detection installed on each occupied floor, including basements, in accordance with NFPA 72, 1999 edition, Chapter 11. Smoke detectors shall be interconnected so that activation of any detector will sound an audible alarm throughout. The system shall be tested by a competent person at least semiannually with date of test and name noted.b. Homes in which exiting is restricted by special door-locking arrangements that prevent residents from free egress shall be equipped with sprinkler systems meeting the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard Number 13D, 1996 edition.(8)Fire extinguishers.a. Approved fire extinguishers shall be provided on each floor, so located that a person will not have to travel more than 75 feet from any point to reach the nearest extinguisher. An additional extinguisher shall be provided in, or adjacent to, each kitchen or basement storage room.b. Type and number of portable fire extinguishers shall be determined by the fire marshal.(9)Mechanical, electrical and building service equipment.a. Air conditioning, ventilating, heating, cooking and other service equipment shall be in accordance with state regulations governing the same, or nationally recognized standards such as National Fire Protection Association standards governing the type of equipment, and shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. All hazardous areas normally found in one- and two-family dwellings, such as laundry, kitchen, heating units and closets, need not be separated with walls if all equipment is installed in accordance with the manufacturer's listed instructions.b. Portable comfort heating devices are prohibited.(10)Attendants; evacuation plan.a. Every home shall have at least one staff person on the premises at all times while residents are present. This staff person shall be at least 18 years of age and capable of performing the required duties of evacuation. No person other than management personnel or a person under management control shall be considered an attendant.b. Every facility shall formulate a plan for the protection of all persons in the event of fire and for their evacuation to areas of refuge and from the building when necessary. All employees shall be instructed and kept informed with respect to their duties under the plan. The plan shall be posted where all employees may readily study it. Fire drills shall be held at least once a month. Records must be kept available for inspection.(11)Smoking.a. There shall be no smoking in resident sleeping areas, and smoking and no smoking policies shall be strictly enforced.b. Ashtrays shall be constructed of noncombustible material with self-closing tops and shall be provided in all areas where smoking is permitted.(12)Exit illumination. Approved rechargeable battery-powered emergency lighting shall be installed to provide automatic exit illumination in the event of failure of the normal lighting system.(13)Occupancy restrictions.a. Occupancies not under the control of, or not necessary to, the administration of residential care facilities are prohibited therein with the exception of the residence of the owner or manager.b. Nonambulatory residents shall be housed only on accessible floors which have direct access to grade where the use of stairs or elevators is not required.(14)Maintenance.a. All fire and life safety equipment or devices shall be regularly and properly maintained in an operable condition at all times in accordance with nationally recognized standards. Such equipment and devices include fire extinguishing equipment, alarm systems, doors and their appurtenances, cords and switches, heating and ventilating equipment, sprinkler systems and exit facilities.b. Storerooms shall be maintained in a neat and proper manner at all times.c. Excessive storage of combustible materials such as papers, cartons, magazines, paints, sprays, old clothing, furniture and similar materials shall be prohibited at all times. This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 135C.2, subsection 5, paragraph"b " and Iowa Code section 237.3, subsection 3.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 661-202.5
ARC 8307B, IAB 11/18/09, effective 1/1/10Amended by IAB April 13, 2016/Volume XXXVIII, Number 21, effective 5/18/2016