Chapter DCF 52

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.

DCF 52.54(5)(a) (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.

DCF 52.54(5)(b) (b) No resident bedroom may be used for purposes other than as sleeping and living space for bedroom occupants.

DCF 52.54(6) (6) Beds and bedding.

DCF 52.54(6)(a) (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:

DCF 52.54(6)(a)1. 1. A mattress that is firm, clean, comfortable and in good condition.

DCF 52.54(6)(a)2. 2. A mattress pad, 2 sheets, 2 blankets, a pillow case, a clean, comfortable pillow and a bedspread.

DCF 52.54(6)(a)3. 3. A mattress cover that is waterproof if the resident is incontinent.

DCF 52.54(6)(b) (b)

DCF 52.54(6)(b)1. 1. A center shall provide a change of sheets and pillow case at least once a week for each resident.

DCF 52.54(6)(b)2. 2. A center shall provide a change in bedding immediately when a resident wets or soils the bed.

DCF 52.54(6)(b)3. 3. A center shall provide a complete change of bedding upon a change in bed occupancy.

DCF 52.54(6)(c) (c) A bed may not be located closer than 18 inches to a hot contact type of heat source such as a hot water radiator.

DCF 52.54(6)(d) (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.

DCF 52.54(7) (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.

DCF 52.54(8) (8) Assigned bedrooms.

DCF 52.54(8)(a) (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.

DCF 52.54(8)(b) (b) Male and female residents may not share the same bedroom.

DCF 52.54(9) (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.

DCF 52.54(10) (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.

DCF 52.54(11) (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.

DCF 52.54 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00.

DCF 52.55 DCF 52.55 Fire safety.

DCF 52.55(1) (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:

DCF 52.55(1)(a) (a) Post the evacuation plan for a building in a conspicuous place in the building.

DCF 52.55(1)(b) (b) Be able to provide through plan procedures for both of the following:

DCF 52.55(1)(b)1. 1. Safe conveyance of all residents promptly from the center by staff in one trip.

DCF 52.55(1)(b)2. 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.

DCF 52.55(1)(c) (c) Make the evacuation plan familiar to all staff and residents upon their initial arrival at the center.

DCF 52.55(2) (2) Evacuation drills.

DCF 52.55(2)(a) (a) Each center shall conduct evacuation drills as follows:

DCF 52.55(2)(a)1. 1. An announced drill at least once every 2 months.