Wisconsin Legislature: DCF 52.53(1)(b)

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.

(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.

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

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

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 General physical environment.

(1) Resident living space.

(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.

(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.

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

(3) Windows.

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

(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.

(4) Temperatures and airflow.

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

(b)

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

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.

(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.

(6) Upkeep.

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

(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.

(7) Telephone.

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

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

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

(1)

(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.

(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.

(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.

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

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

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

(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.).

(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.

(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.

(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:

(a) An individual toothbrush and tube of toothpaste.

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

(d) Equipment and facilities for shaving and washing.

(e) Mirrors.

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

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

DCF 52.54 Bedrooms.

(1) Minimum space.

(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.

(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.

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

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

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

(3) Walls or partitions and doors.

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

1. At least 6 feet in height in facilities initially licensed prior to September 1, 2000.

2. Floor-to-ceiling fixed partitions or walls in facilities initially licensed on or after September 1, 2000.

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

(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.

(5) Prohibited use.

(a) No bedroom may be used by anyone who is not an occupant of the bedroom to gain access to any other part of the center or any required exit.

(b) No resident bedroom may be used for purposes other than as sleeping and living space for bedroom occupants.

(6) Beds and bedding.

(a) A center shall provide each resident with a single bed appropriate to the resident’s needs. The bed may not be less than 36 inches wide or shorter than the height of the resident. A bed shall have all of the following:

1. A mattress that is firm, clean, comfortable and in good condition.

2. A mattress pad, 2 sheets, 2 blankets, a pillow case, a clean, comfortable pillow and a bedspread.

3. A mattress cover that is waterproof if the resident is incontinent.

(b)

1. A center shall provide a change of sheets and pillow case at least once a week for each resident.

2. A center shall provide a change in bedding immediately when a resident wets or soils the bed.

3. A center shall provide a complete change of bedding upon a change in bed occupancy.

(d) Beds shall be at least 3 feet apart at the head, foot and sides, except that a bunkbed shall be at least 5 feet apart at the sides from another bed. Bunk beds shall provide at least 36 inches of headroom between the bedroom ceiling and the top mattress. A triple decker bed may not be used.

(7) Storage space. A center shall provide each resident with sufficient private space in or near the resident’s bedroom for personal clothing and possessions. Each resident shall have a closet or wardrobe located in or next to the bedroom.

(8) Assigned bedrooms.

(a) In assigning a resident to a bedroom, a center shall consider the resident’s age and developmental needs and be guided by any clinical recommendations.

(b) Male and female residents may not share the same bedroom.

(9) Sleeping schedule. Residents shall have set routines for waking and sleeping. Each resident in the daily routine shall have available at least 8 hours of sleep.

(10) Disabled residents. Bedrooms for residents who are not able to walk or who can walk only with a means of support such as crutches shall be located on a floor level that has an exit discharging at grade level.

(11) Resident possessions. A center shall permit a resident to have personal furnishings and possessions in the resident’s bedroom, unless contraindicated by the resident’s treatment plan.

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

DCF 52.55 Fire safety.

(1) Evacuation plan. A center in consultation with the local fire department shall develop a detailed flow chart type evacuation plan for each building with arrows pointing to exits. The center shall do all of the following:

(a) Post the evacuation plan for a building in a conspicuous place in the building.

(b) Be able to provide through plan procedures for both of the following:

1. Safe conveyance of all residents promptly from the center by staff in one trip.

2. Designated places away from the center to which all residents are evacuated or at which all are to meet so that it can be determined if all residents are out of danger.

(2) Evacuation drills.