Chapter DCF 52

subch. VI of ch. DCF 52 Subchapter VI — Physical Environment and Safety

DCF 52.51 DCF 52.51 Buildings and grounds.

DCF 52.51(1) (1) Required compliance.

DCF 52.51(1)(a) (a) Standards. All buildings of a residential care center shall comply with the following requirements:

DCF 52.51(1)(a)1. 1. The applicable state building code requirements in chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances.

DCF 52.51(1)(a)2. 2. All requirements in this subchapter, regardless of when a facility was built, except as otherwise provided in this subchapter.

DCF 52.51(1)(b) (b) Building inspections. Before beginning operation as a residential care center, all buildings of the residential care center shall be inspected by the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services by a certified building inspector and as needed.

DCF 52.51(1)(c) (c) Construction approval. The licensee shall submit for approval to the department and to the department of safety and professional services, division of safety and buildings, plans for any new buildings or for alterations which will affect the structural strength, area dimensions, safety or sanitary conditions of existing buildings. The center shall have in writing the approval of both the department and the department of safety and professional services before letting contracts for construction.

DCF 52.51 Note Note: Send building plans to the appropriate Building, Grounds and Safety field office of the Department of Safety and Professional Services and to your licensing representative at the appropriate field office listed in Appendix D.

DCF 52.51(1)(d) (d) Exclusive use of space. Center living or work space designated on approved building plans for use by residents or staff may not be used for other purposes, except with approval of the department’s licensing specialist.

DCF 52.51(1)(e) (e) Center grounds. Center grounds shall be maintained in a clean and orderly condition and shall be free of refuse, debris and hazards.

DCF 52.51(2) (2) Housing blind and disabled residents.

DCF 52.51(2)(a) (a) Except as provided under par. (b), buildings housing residents unable to take independent action for self-preservation shall be of fire-resistive construction as defined in chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code or protected by a complete, automatic fire sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems installed shall have residential sprinkler heads or fast response sprinkler heads. A sprinkler system shall meet the requirements of chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and any applicable local ordinances for a building of 16 or fewer beds or for a building with 17 or more beds. A sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

DCF 52.51 Note Note: See s. DCF 52.55 (7) for inspection and maintenance requirements for sprinkler systems.

DCF 52.51(2)(b) (b) Sprinklered residential living areas in a building shall be separated from adjacent non-sprinklered or non-fire proof construction areas in the same building by at least a 2-hour rated fire wall separation.

DCF 52.51(2)(c) (c) A center which serves residents who are not able to walk or are able to walk only with crutches or other means of support shall comply with accessibility requirements found in appendix B of this chapter.

DCF 52.51(3) (3) Interior doors.

DCF 52.51(3)(a) (a) Except for locked rooms or units under s. DCF 52.42, all interior doors, including those for closets, shall have fastenings or hardware that will allow opening from the inside with one hand without the use of a key.

DCF 52.51(3)(b) (b) The design of a door equipped with a lock or latch shall permit opening the door from either side in case of emergency.

DCF 52.51(3)(c) (c) In a building housing residents, an employee on each work shift shall have a key or other means of opening doors with locks or closing devices in that area.

DCF 52.51(4) (4) Accessibility. Accessibility requirements in appendix B of this chapter shall be met for residents.

DCF 52.51(5) (5) Electrical.

DCF 52.51(5)(a) (a) Electrical wiring, outlets and fixtures shall be properly installed and maintained in safe working condition as required under ch. SPS 316.

DCF 52.51(5)(b) (b) The minimum number of fixtures and outlets shall be as follows:

DCF 52.51(5)(b)1. 1. At least one approved ceiling or wall-type electric light fixture for every lavatory, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette, dining room, laundry room and furnace room, with no less than 5 footcandles of light at floor level in the center of the room, and with switches or equivalent devices for turning on at least one conveniently located light in each room and passageway to control the lighting in the area. The center may substitute a switched fixture for a ceiling or wall fixture in lavatories, bathrooms and dining rooms.

DCF 52.51(5)(b)2. 2. Duplex outlets as follows:

DCF 52.51(5)(b)2.a. a. At least one outlet in each resident bedroom and in each laundry area and bathroom.

DCF 52.51(5)(b)2.b. b. At least 2 outlets in any other habitable room including a dining room.

DCF 52.51(5)(b)2.c. c. At least 3 outlets in the kitchen, with separate outlets for the refrigerator and electric stove.

DCF 52.51(5)(b)3. 3. Ground fault interrupt protection for any electrical outlet within 6 feet of a water source in a bathroom, kitchen area, laundry room or basement and on the exterior of the facility and in the garage.

DCF 52.51(5)(c) (c) Extension cords may not be used inside buildings to provide regular electrical service. Where extension cords are used inside buildings, the center shall plug extension cords into underwriters laboratories (U.L.) approved fused convenience outlets or outlet banks.

DCF 52.51(5)(d) (d) A center may not have any temporary wiring or exposed or abandoned wiring.

DCF 52.51(5)(e) (e) Center electrical service inspections shall be completed by a certified inspector as required under ch. SPS 316.

DCF 52.51 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 2001, No. 546; CR 04-040: am. (1) (a) 1., (b) and (2) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 1-1-05; correction in (3) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; correction in (1) (a) 1., (b), (c), (2) (a), (5) (a), (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 52.52 DCF 52.52 General physical environment.

DCF 52.52(1) (1) Resident living space.

DCF 52.52(1)(a) (a) Center buildings housing 9 or more residents. Buildings constructed or other facilities converted to resident living space for 9 or more residents after February 1, 1971 shall contain resident living space at least equal to 60 square feet per resident. In this paragraph, “resident living space” means indoor living and recreation space in addition to bedroom space and dining space and exclusive of hallways less than 7 feet in width, bathrooms, lockers, offices, storage rooms, latched or locked time-out rooms, locked units, staff rooms, furnace rooms, any unfinished part of a building and that part of the kitchen occupied by stationary equipment.

DCF 52.52(1)(b) (b) Center buildings housing 8 or fewer residents. Center buildings housing 8 or fewer residents shall provide at least 200 square feet of combined resident living space, bedroom space and dining space for each occupant. In this paragraph, “resident living space” includes all areas of the house except an unfinished basement, attic, or similar areas not usually occupied in daily living.

DCF 52.52(2) (2) Dining space. A center shall provide at least 15 square feet of dining space for each occupant.

DCF 52.52(3) (3) Windows.

DCF 52.52(3)(a) (a) All windows through which sunlight enters shall have appropriate coverings, and all openable windows shall have insect-proof screens in the summer.

DCF 52.52(3)(b) (b) A center which is licensed for the first time or moves to a new location after September 1, 2000 shall meet the window requirements of chs. SPS 361 to 366.

DCF 52.52(4) (4) Temperatures and airflow.

DCF 52.52(4)(a) (a) The inside temperature of a center building for residents may not be lower than 67° F. (20° C.).

DCF 52.52(4)(b) (b)

DCF 52.52(4)(b)1. 1. The inside temperature of a center building for residents may not be higher than 85° F (30° C.).

DCF 52.52(4)(b)2. 2. A center without a system to maintain the inside temperature below 85° F (30° C.) shall provide direct air circulation with electrical fans and have openable windows or provide fresh air flow or give residents access to air conditioned areas for heat relief.

DCF 52.52(5) (5) Furnishings. Each room used by residents shall contain furnishings appropriate for the intended use of the room. Furnishings shall be safe for use by residents and shall present a comfortable and orderly appearance.

DCF 52.52(6) (6) Upkeep.

DCF 52.52(6)(a) (a) Centers shall keep all rooms used by residents clean and well-ventilated.

DCF 52.52(6)(b) (b) Residents shall be responsible only for the cleanliness of their bedrooms or living areas. A center may not hold residents responsible for the general cleanliness of the center.

DCF 52.52(7) (7) Telephone.

DCF 52.52(7)(a) (a) A non-pay telephone shall be available for use by residents in each building housing residents.

DCF 52.52(7)(b) (b) Each phone shall have emergency numbers posted near it for the fire department, police, hospital, physician, poison control center and ambulance service.

DCF 52.52 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00; correction in (3) (b) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2004 No. 588; correction in (3) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 52.53 DCF 52.53 Bath and toilet facilities. A center shall meet all of the following requirements for bath and toilet facilities and the use of them:

DCF 52.53(1) (1) 

DCF 52.53(1)(a) (a) The center shall provide in buildings housing residents one toilet and either a tub or shower for every 8 residents or fraction thereof and one handwashing sink with hot and cold running water for every 4 residents or fraction thereof. At least one-half of the required toilets, tubs or showers and handwashing sinks shall be on the same floor or floors as the sleeping rooms.

DCF 52.53(1)(b) (b) Where 9 or more residents reside in a building, the center shall also provide at least one toilet and handwashing sink with hot and cold running water near living rooms and recreation areas for every 8 residents or fraction thereof and provide separate bath and toilet facilities for staff.

DCF 52.53(1)(c) (c) In buildings housing both male and female residents, the center shall provide separate bathrooms for each sex and provide separate combination toilet and handwashing sink facilities where center resident activities include both sexes.

DCF 52.53(2) (2) Bathroom facilities accessible only through a resident bedroom shall be counted only for the residents of the bedroom.

DCF 52.53(3) (3) Every room with a toilet shall have a handwashing sink with hot and cold running water.

DCF 52.53(4) (4) If a resident needs assistance in toileting and bathing, a center shall direct a staff member to provide that assistance.

DCF 52.53(5) (5) All sinks, tubs and showers shall have an adequate supply of hot and cold water. Hot water shall be regulated by a plumbing industry approved temperature control device such as a mixing valve. The temperature of water delivered at the tap may not exceed 110° F. (43° C.).

DCF 52.53(6) (6) All bath and toilet areas shall have good lighting and ventilation and be maintained in a sanitary condition. Safety strips shall be applied to the floors of tubs and showers to prevent slipping.

DCF 52.53(7) (7) Toilets, bathtubs and showers used by residents shall be equipped for privacy unless specifically contraindicated for a particular resident by that resident’s treatment or care needs, and even then privacy in relation to other residents shall be provided.

DCF 52.53(8) (8) The center shall provide each resident with items, conditions and access necessary for personal hygiene and self-grooming including, but not limited to, all of the following:

DCF 52.53(8)(a) (a) An individual toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.

DCF 52.53(8)(b) (b) Access to a shower or bathtub daily, unless medically contraindicated.

DCF 52.53(8)(c) (c) An individual hair brush and comb and regular services of a barber or beautician.

DCF 52.53(8)(d) (d) Equipment and facilities for shaving and washing.

DCF 52.53(8)(e) (e) Mirrors.

DCF 52.53(8)(f) (f) Clean individual towels, washcloths and individually dispensed soap.

DCF 52.53 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00.

DCF 52.54 DCF 52.54 Bedrooms.

DCF 52.54(1) (1) Minimum space.

DCF 52.54(1)(a) (a) Single occupancy. Each center bedroom for one resident shall have a minimum of 80 square feet of floor space except that if the resident is not able to walk or is able to walk only with crutches or other means of support the bedroom shall have a minimum of 100 square feet of floor space.

DCF 52.54(1)(b) (b) Shared occupancy. Each center bedroom for more than one resident shall have a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space for each resident except that if a resident is not able to walk or is able to walk only with crutches or other means of support, the bedroom shall have a minimum of 80 square feet of floor space for each resident.

DCF 52.54(2) (2) Maximum number of residents. No bedroom may accommodate more than the following:

DCF 52.54(2)(a) (a) Four residents in a facility initially licensed before September 1, 2000.

DCF 52.54(2)(b) (b) Two residents in a facility initially licensed on or after September 1, 2000.

DCF 52.54(3) (3) Walls or partitions and doors.

DCF 52.54(3)(a) (a) Each bedroom shall be enclosed on 4 sides by walls or partitions. The walls or partitions shall be:

DCF 52.54(3)(a)1. 1. At least 6 feet in height in facilities initially licensed prior to September 1, 2000.

DCF 52.54(3)(a)2. 2. Floor-to-ceiling fixed partitions or walls in facilities initially licensed on or after September 1, 2000.

DCF 52.54(3)(b) (b) Each bedroom shall have an outside wall with a window that is openable to the exterior.

DCF 52.54(3)(c) (c) Each bedroom shall have a door.

DCF 52.54(4) (4) Prohibited locations. A center may not locate a resident bedroom in an unfinished basement or attic or in any other area not normally used as a bedroom.

DCF 52.54(5) (5) Prohibited use.