Chapter DHS 134

DHS 134.84(5)(c)11. 11. The walls of the kitchen shall be of plaster or equivalent material with smooth, light-colored, nonabsorbent and washable surfaces;

DHS 134.84(5)(c)12. 12. The ceiling in the kitchen shall be of plaster or equivalent material with smooth, light-colored, nonabsorbent and washable surfaces;

DHS 134.84(5)(c)13. 13. The floors of all rooms in which food or drink is stored, prepared or served, or in which utensils are washed, except the eating areas of dining rooms, shall be of a construction that is nonabsorbent and easily cleaned;

DHS 134.84(5)(c)14. 14. All openings to the out-of-doors from kitchen or food service areas shall be effectively screened. Screen doors shall be self-closing;

DHS 134.84(5)(c)15. 15. All rooms in which food or drink is stored or prepared or in which utensils are washed shall be well-lighted; and

DHS 134.84(5)(c)16. 16. Rooms subject to sewage backflow or to condensation or leakage from overhead water or waste lines may not be used for food storage or preparation unless the food is effectively protected from contamination, which may involve storing the food a minimum of 6 inches above the floor, insulating water pipes or providing another means of preventing contamination of the food.

DHS 134.84(6) (6) Storage.

DHS 134.84(6)(a) (a) Residents’ storage. One or more central storage areas shall be provided within the facility for storing residents’ possessions such as trunks, luggage and off-season clothing. In new construction storage space shall total at least 50 cubic feet per resident bed.

DHS 134.84(6)(b) (b) General storage. A general storage area shall be provided in the facility for supplies, equipment, wheelchairs and mechanical devices.

DHS 134.84(6)(c) (c) Linen.

DHS 134.84(6)(c)1. 1. A type I facility shall provide clean linen and dirty linen storage areas of adequate size for each living unit.

DHS 134.84(6)(c)2. 2. A type II facility shall provide a clean linen closet or cabinet and a dirty linen closet or cabinet for each floor or wing.

DHS 134.84(7) (7) Family and employee living quarters. Any family and employee living quarters shall be in an area of the facility separate from resident areas.

DHS 134.84(8) (8) Employee facilities. The following shall be provided for employees but may not be located in food preparation, food storage or utensil washing areas or resident rooms:

DHS 134.84(8)(a) (a) Space for employee wraps, with lockers or other means for securing purses and other personal belongings when on duty;

DHS 134.84(8)(b) (b) Handwashing sinks in employee locker areas, each with a soap dispenser, and with a single-service towel dispenser or other approved hand-drying equipment, except in small facilities; and

DHS 134.84(8)(c) (c) Toilet facilities separate from those used by residents, except in small facilities.

DHS 134.84(9) (9) Janitor closets. In type II facilities, a ventilated closet shall be provided on each floor for janitor supplies. The closet shall be equipped with hot and cold running water and a service sink or receptor.

DHS 134.84(10) (10) Laundry.

DHS 134.84(10)(a) (a) Laundry room space shall be provided unless commercial laundry facilities are used. If laundry service is provided, laundry facilities shall be located in areas separate from resident areas and shall be provided with necessary washing, drying and ironing equipment.

DHS 134.84(10)(b) (b) Soiled linen may not be transported through or washed or rinsed in food preparation, serving or storage areas, nor may clean linen and clothes be dried or stored in the kitchen.

DHS 134.84(10)(c) (c) Where commercial laundries are used, a room for sorting, processing and storing soiled linen shall be provided. The room shall be mechanically ventilated.

DHS 134.84(10)(d) (d) All soiled linen, unless washed immediately after removal, shall be placed in non-absorbent, closed storage containers.

DHS 134.84(11) (11) Administration and resident activity areas. Areas or rooms shall be provided in the facility for administration and resident activities. These areas or rooms shall be adequate in size to meet the needs of the facility and residents. The areas or rooms may be combined, provided that the resulting arrangements do not threaten the safety of residents or interfere with resident care and nursing practices or with meeting the social needs of residents.

DHS 134.84(12) (12) Mixed occupancy. Rooms or areas within the facility may be used for occupancy by individuals other than residents and facility staff if the following conditions are met:

DHS 134.84(12)(a) (a) The use of these rooms does not interfere with services provided to residents; and

DHS 134.84(12)(b) (b) The administrator takes reasonable steps to ensure that the health, safety and rights of residents are protected.

DHS 134.84(13) (13) Location of facilities.

DHS 134.84(13)(a) (a) The site of the facility shall conform to local zoning regulations and shall be free from noise, odors and other environmental nuisances.

DHS 134.84(13)(b) (b) Employees and visitors shall have easy access to the facility site. The facility’s location shall promote the health, treatment, comfort, safety and well-being of residents. The site shall be located so that an organized fire department can quickly respond to fire emergencies.

DHS 134.84(13)(c) (c) A minimum of 15 square feet per resident bed shall be provided around the facility for an outdoor recreation area, exclusive of driveways and parking area.

DHS 134.84 History History: Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; CR 04-053: am. (5) (c) 12. Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04; CR 20-068: am. (3) (c) Register December 2021 No. 792, eff. 1-1-22.