Section 481.63.28. Buildings, furnishings, and equipment.

         63.28(1) Buildings—general requirements.

            a.               For purposes of computation of usable floor space in bedrooms and other living areas of the facility, that part of the room having no less than 7 feet of ceiling height shall be used. Usable floor space may include irregularities in the rooms such as alcoves and offsets with approval of the department. Usable floor space shall not include space needed for corridor door swings or wardrobes being used as a substitute for closet space. (III)

      b.        Battery-operated, portable emergency lights in good working condition shall be available at all times, at a ratio of one light per one employee on duty from 6 p.m.    to 6 a.m.           (III)

            c.               All windows shall be supplied with curtains and shades or drapes which are kept clean and in good repair. (III)

            d.               Light fixtures shall be so equipped to prevent glare and to prevent hazards to the residents. (III)

            e.               Exposed heating pipes, hot water pipes, or radiators in rooms and areas used by residents and within reach of residents shall be covered or protected to prevent injury or burns to residents. (II, III)

            f.                All fans located within 7 feet of the floor shall be protected by screen guards of not more than ¼-inch mesh. (III)

            g.               Whenever glass sliding doors or transparent panels are used, they shall be marked conspicuously. (III)

            h.               The facility shall meet the equivalent requirements of the appropriate group occupancy of the state building code. (III)

            i.                No part of any room shall be enclosed, subdivided, or partitioned unless such part is separately lighted and ventilated and meets such other requirements as its usage and occupancy dictates, except closets used for the storage of resident’s clothing. (III)

            j.                All stairways in resident-occupied areas shall have substantial handrails on both sides. (III)

            k.               Each stairway shall have protective barriers. (III)

            l.                Screens of 16 mesh per square inch shall be provided at all hold-open openings. (III)

            m.              Screen doors shall swing outward and be self-closing. At the discretion of the state fire marshal, screens for fire doors may swing in. (III)

            n.               All resident rooms shall have a door. (III)

            o.               All rooms in resident-occupied areas shall have general lighting switched at the entrance to each room. (III)

         63.28(2) Furnishings and equipment.

            a.               All furnishings and equipment shall be durable, cleanable, and appropriate to its function and in accordance with the department’s approved program of care. (III)

            b.               All resident areas shall be decorated, painted, and furnished to provide a homelike atmosphere. (III)

            c.               Upholstery materials shall be moisture- and soil-resistant, except on furniture provided by the resident and the property of the resident. (III)

            d.               Night lights may be required in corridors, at stairways, attendant’s stations and resident’s bedrooms, and hazardous areas with no less than 1 foot-candle throughout the area at all times. (III)

         63.28(3) Dining and living rooms.

            a.               Every facility over 15 beds shall have a dining room and a living room easily accessible to all residents. (III)

            b.               Dining rooms and living rooms shall at no time be used as bedrooms. (III)

            c.               Dining rooms and living rooms shall be available for use by residents at appropriate times to provide periods of social and diversional individual and group activities. (III)

            d.               A combination dining room and living room may be permitted if the space requirements of a multipurpose room as provided in 63.28(3)“e” of the rules are met. (III)

            e.               Multipurpose rooms. When space is provided for multipurpose dining and activities and recreational purposes, the area shall total at least 30 square feet per licensed bed for the first 100 beds and 27 square feet per licensed bed for all beds in excess of 100. An open area of sufficient size shall be provided to permit group activities such as religious meetings or presentation of demonstrations or entertainment. (III)

            f.                Living rooms.

             (1)             Living rooms shall be maintained for the use of residents and their visitors and may be used for recreational activities. (III)

             (2)             Living rooms shall be suitably furnished. (III)

             (3)             When space is provided to be used only for activities and recreational purposes, the area shall be at least 15 square feet per licensed bed. At least 50 percent of the required area must be in one room. (III)

            g.               Dining rooms.

             (1)             Dining rooms shall be furnished with dining tables and chairs appropriate to the size and function of the facility. These rooms and furnishings shall be kept clean and sanitary. (III)

             (2)             When space is provided to be used only for dining, the area shall total at least 15 square feet per licensed bed. (III)

         63.28(4) Bedrooms.

            a.               Each resident shall be provided with a standard, single, or twin bed, substantially constructed and in good repair. Rollaway beds, metal cots, or folding beds are not acceptable. (III)

            b.               Each bed shall be equipped with the following: casters or glides; clean springs in good repair; a clean, comfortable, well-constructed mattress approximately five inches thick and standard in size for the bed; clean, comfortable pillows of average bed size. (III)

            c.               Each resident shall have a bedside table with a drawer to accommodate personal possessions. (III)

            d.               There shall be a comfortable bedside chair per resident bed. The resident’s personal wishes shall be considered. (III)

            e.               There shall be drawer space for each resident’s clothing. In a multiple bedroom, drawer space shall be assigned each resident. (III)

            f.                Walls, ceilings, and floors shall have easily cleanable surfaces and shall be kept clean and in good repair. (III)

            g.               Beds and other furnishings shall not obstruct free passage to and through doorways. (III)

            h.               There shall be a wardrobe or closet in each resident’s room. Minimum clear dimensions shall be 1 foot 10 inches deep by 1 foot 8 inches wide with full hanging space and provide a clothes rod and shelf. In a multiple bedroom, closet or wardrobe space shall be assigned each resident sufficient for the resident’s needs. (III)

            i.                Beds shall not be placed with the head of the bed in front of a window or radiator. (III)

            j.                Beds shall not be placed in such a manner that the side of the bed is against the radiator or in close proximity to it unless it is covered so as to protect the resident from contact with it or from excessive heat. (III)

            k.               Reading lamps shall be provided each resident in the resident’s room. (III)

            l.                Each room shall have sufficient accessible mirrors to serve residents’ needs. (III)

            m.              Usable floor space of a room shall be no less than 8 feet in any major dimension. (III)

            n.               Bedrooms shall have a minimum of 80 square feet of usable floor space per bed. (III)

            o.               There shall be no more than four residents per room. (III)

            p.               Each resident room shall be provided with light and ventilation by means of a window or windows with an area equal to one-eighth of the total floor area. The windows shall be openable. (III)

         63.28(5) Bath and toilet facilities.

            a.               Provision shall be made for bars to hold individual towels and washcloths. (III)

            b.               In facilities of over 15 beds all lavatories shall have paper towel dispensers and an available supply of soap. (III)

            c.              Minimum numbers of toilet and bath facilities shall be one lavatory, one toilet for each five residents, and one tub or shower for each ten residents or fraction thereof. (III)

            d.               There shall be a minimum of one bathroom with tub or shower, toilet stool and lavatory on each floor in multistory buildings for facilities licensed for over 15 beds. Separate toilets for the sexes shall be provided. (III)

            e.               Grab bars shall be provided at all toilet stools, tubs, and showers. Grab bars, accessories, and anchorage shall have sufficient strength to sustain a deadweight of 250 pounds for five minutes. (III)

            f.                Each toilet room shall have a door. (III)

            g.               All toilet, bath, and shower facilities shall be supplied with adequate safety devices appropriate to the needs of the individual residents. Raised toilet seats shall be available for residents who are aged or infirm. (III)

            h.               Toilet and bath facilities shall have an aggregate outside window area of at least 4 square feet. Facilities having a system of mechanical ventilation are exempt from this regulation. (III)

            i.                Every facility shall provide a toilet with grab bars and lavatory for the public and staff. (III)

         63.28(6) Heating. A centralized heating system capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 78°F (26°C) shall be provided. Portable units or space heaters are prohibited from being used in the facility except in an emergency. (III)

         63.28(7) Water supply.

            a.               Every facility shall have an adequate water supply from an approved source. A municipal source of supply shall be considered as meeting this requirement. (III)

            b.               Private sources of supply shall be tested annually and the report submitted with the annual application for license. (III)

            c.               A bacterially unsafe source of supply shall be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license. (III)

            d.               The department may require testing of private sources of supply at its discretion in addition to the annual test. The facility shall supply reports of such tests as directed by the department. (III)

            e.               Hot and cold running water under pressure shall be available in the facility. (III)

            f.                Prior to construction of a new facility or new water source, private sources of supply shall be surveyed and shall comply with the requirements of the department. (III)

         63.28(8) Sewage system.

            a.               Sewage shall be collected and disposed of in a manner approved by the department. Disposal into a municipal system will be considered as meeting this requirement. (III)

            b.               Private sewage systems shall conform to the rules and regulations of the department of environmental quality, state health department, and the natural resources council. (III)

            c.               Every facility shall have an interior plumbing system complete with flushing device. (III)

         63.28(9) Attendant’s station. In facilities over 15 beds, an attendant’s station with a minimum of 40 square feet shall be provided which is centrally located in the resident area and shall have a well-lighted desk with the necessary equipment for the keeping of required records and supplies. (III)