Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024
Section 95-3-8 - Physical Plant8.1. General. All new facilities shall be designed, constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with the standards and requirements set out and established by the State Fire Code, including the current edition of the National Fire Code published by the National Fire Protection Association and the current BOCA National Building Code published by Building Official and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA). In any conflict between or among any of the aforementioned standards, the West Virginia State Fire Code shall be preeminent.Standards and Regulations. All existing facilities shall comply with the standards and regulations set forth for existing facilities in the State Fire Code, the current National Fire Codes published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
8.2. Safety of Occupants. Because the safety of all occupants in all detention and correctional facilities cannot be adequately assured solely by a dependence upon evacuation from the building, their protection from fire shall be provided by appropriate arrangement of facilities, an adequately trained staff, and careful development of operating, security, and maintenance procedures to include the following: 8.2.a. Proper design, construction and compartmentalization;8.2.b. Provisions for fire detection, alarms and extinguishment;8.2.c. Fire prevention programs which include planning, training, and drills covering such protective activities as: isolation of the fire; transfer of occupants to areas of refuge; evacuation of the facility; or measures for in-place protection of the occupants; and8.2.d. Security provisions to the degree necessary to provide for the safety of both the occupants of the facility and the general public.8.3. State Fire Marshal Review. Plans and specifications for all new facilities shall be submitted to the State Fire Marshal for review prior to the start of construction.8.4. State Fire Marshal Certificate. No facility shall be occupied until a certificate of occupancy is issued by the State Fire Marshal's Office.8.5. Activity Areas. All activity areas shall have sufficient air circulation (at least 10 cubic feet of fresh, purified air per minute per occupant), lighting and sanitary facilities. These areas include multipurpose rooms, recreation areas for inmates, or work areas for staff. Temperatures shall be maintained appropriate to the summer and winter comfort zones with consideration for the activity performed.8.6. Inmate Booking and Release Area. The inmate booking and release area shall be located inside the security perimeter, but outside inmate living quarters, and have the following facilities:8.6.c. Access to drinking water;8.6.d. Shower facilities;8.6.e. Secure storage for inmate's personal property;8.6.f. Telephone facilities;8.6.g. Private interview space(s);8.6.h. Temporary holding rooms with sufficient fixed seating for all inmates at its rated capacity; and8.6.i. Operable toilets and wash basins.8.7. Environment. All rooms or cells shall have access to the following facilities and/or conditions: 8.7.a. Toilet above floor level which is available for use without staff assistance 24 hours a day;8.7.b. Wash basin and drinking water;8.7.c. Hot and cold running water;8.7.d. A bed at above floor level, desk or writing surface, hook or closet space, chair or stool;8.7.e. Lighting of at least 20 foot candles at desk level;8.7.f. Circulation is at least 10 cubic feet of outside or recirculated air per minute per occupant;8.7.g. Temperatures are appropriate to the summer and winter comfort zones;8.7.h. Noise levels do not exceed 70 decibels in daytime and 45 decibels at night; and8.8. Multiple Occupancy. Where used, multiple occupancy rooms shall house no less than four and no more than 50 inmates each. Inmates shall be screened prior to admission for suitability to group living. Multiple occupancy rooms shall provide for: 8.8.a. Continuing observation by staff;8.8.b. A minimum floor area of 50 square feet per occupant in the sleeping area and a clear floor to ceiling height or not less than eight feet;8.8.c. Toilet and shower facilities at a minimum of one operable toilet and shower for every eight occupants;8.8.d. One operable wash basin with hot and cold running water for every six occupants;8.8.f. Beds above floor level, desk or writing surface, chair or stool;8.8.g. A locker for each occupant;8.8.h. Lighting is at least 220 foot candles at desk level and in the personal grooming area;8.8.i. Circulation is at least 10 cubic feet outside or recirculated air per minute per occupant;8.8.j. Temperatures are appropriate to the summer and winter comfort zones; and8.8.k. Noise levels do not exceed 70 decibels in daytime and 45 decibels at night.8.9. Communication. Any room used for segregation shall permit inmates assigned to it to communicate with staff and have a door which permits observation by staff. 8.10. Continuing Staff Observation. When seriously ill, mentally disordered, injured or non-ambulatory inmates are held in the facility, there shall be at least one single-occupancy cell or room for them which provides for continuing staff observation.8.11. Sleeping Quarters. When both males and females are housed in the same facility, they shall be provided separate sleeping quarters which are separated visually and accoustically.8.12. Perimeter Security. The facility perimeter shall be secured in a way which provides that inmates remain within the perimeter and that access by the general public is denied without proper authorization.8.13. Storage Security. Space shall be provided for the secure storage of chemical agents, restraining devices and related security equipment and the equipment shall be located in an area which is readily accessible to authorized persons only.8.14. Sally Ports. There shall be sally ports between inmate areas and areas providing access to the public.8.15. Multipurpose Room. There shall be at least one multipurpose room available for inmate activities.8.16. Storage of Personal Property. Space shall be provided for the secure storage of inmates' personal property.8.17. Handicapped Inmates. Handicapped inmates shall be housed in a manner which provides for their safety and security, and have access to any activity areas.8.18. Handicapped Visitors. All parts of the facility which are accessible to the public shall be accessible to and usable by handicapped persons.8.19. Exercise Space. An exercise space shall be available to allow large muscle exercise.