Chapter DCF 52

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.

DCF 52.55(2)(a)2. 2. An unannounced drill at least every 6 months.

DCF 52.55(2)(b) (b) A center shall maintain a log of all evacuation drills that records the date and time of each drill, the time required to evacuate the building and any problems associated with the evacuation.

DCF 52.55(3) (3) Fire department inspection. A center shall arrange for the local fire department to conduct a fire inspection of the center each year. The center shall maintain on file a copy of inspection report.

DCF 52.55(4) (4) Smoke detection system.

DCF 52.55(4)(a) (a) Smoke detectors shall be installed and in accordance with ch. SPS 316 and chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code, applicable local ordinances, and this section. Individual smoke detectors shall be tested according to the manufacturer’s instructions but not less than once a month. Interconnected smoke detectors shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s or installer’s instructions and shall be tested not less than every 3 months. The center shall keep a log of the tests with dates and times.

DCF 52.55(4)(b) (b) A center built or initially licensed before 1982 shall have, at minimum, a battery operated smoke detection system meeting the requirements under pars. (a) and (c) 3. and 5.

DCF 52.55(4)(c) (c) A center built in 1982 or later or a licensee moving a center to a different building after September 1, 2000 shall have an interconnected smoke detection system meeting all of the following requirements:

DCF 52.55(4)(c)1. 1. Except as provided under subd. 2., a building housing residents shall have, at a minimum, a smoke detection system to protect the entire building. That system shall either trigger alarms throughout the building or trigger an alarm located centrally. The alarm shall be audible throughout the building when the detector activates.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)2. 2. A building that has no more than 8 beds may have a radio-transmitting smoke detection system located in a central area of the building. That system shall trigger an audible alarm heard throughout the building.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)3. 3. A smoke detection system shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)4. 4. An interconnected smoke detection system installed on or after September 1, 2000 shall have a secondary power source.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5. 5. A center shall have a smoke detector located in at least the following locations in each building housing residents:

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.a. a. In the basement.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.b. b. At the head of every open stairway.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.c. c. At the door on each floor level leading to every enclosed stairway.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.d. d. In every corridor, spaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s separation specifications.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.e. e. In each common use room, including every living room, dining room, family room, lounge and recreation area.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)5.f. f. In each sleeping area of each living unit or within 6 feet from the doorway of each sleeping area.

DCF 52.55(4)(c)6. 6. Smoke detectors shall not be installed in a kitchen.

DCF 52.55(5) (5) Stairway smoke containment. A center shall provide floor-to-floor smoke cut-off through a one hour labeled fire-resistant self-closing door for open interior stairways and for all enclosed interior stairways at each floor level to provide floor to floor smoke separation.

DCF 52.55(6) (6) Heat sensing devices. A center shall have heat-sensing devices in the kitchen and attic.

DCF 52.55 Note Note: It is recommended that a rate-of-rise heat detector be used in an attic rather than a fixed temperature heat detector. Rate-of-rise heat detectors respond to a fire sooner, particularly when it is cold outside. It is recommended that a fixed temperature heat detector be used in the kitchen.

DCF 52.55(7) (7) Sprinkler system inspection. Where a sprinkler system has been installed under s. DCF 52.51 (2), the system shall be inspected and tested in accordance with NFPA Code 25. The center shall keep a copy of the certification of inspection on file.

DCF 52.55(8) (8) Fire safety training. All center staff shall take a technical college course or receive training from someone who has taken a technical college “train the trainer” course on fire safety and evacuation developed for community-based residential facilities regulated under ch. DHS 83. New center staff shall take the training within 6 months after beginning work at the center. All center staff shall be familiar with all of the following:

DCF 52.55(8)(a) (a) Facility fire emergency plans and evacuation procedures.

DCF 52.55(8)(b) (b) Fire extinguisher use.

DCF 52.55(8)(c) (c) Fire prevention techniques.

DCF 52.55(9) (9) Flammables.

DCF 52.55(9)(a) (a) A center shall keep all flammable liquid fuels in separate buildings not attached to buildings housing residents. Flammable liquid fuels shall be inaccessible to residents. Storage and labeling of flammable liquid fuel containers shall meet requirements for portable tank storage in ch. SPS 314. A center shall limit total storage to 10 gallons in each of the separate buildings, except for the contents of the gasoline tanks of motor vehicles.

DCF 52.55(9)(b) (b) Other flammables such as paints, varnishes and turpentine shall be stored in fire-proof cabinets meeting the requirements of chs. SPS 361 to 366. The center shall keep these flammables locked and inaccessible to residents, unless a flammable is used in an activity supervised by staff with experience in using these kinds of flammable liquids.

DCF 52.55(10) (10) Fire extinguishers. A center shall meet all of the following requirements for fire extinguishers:

DCF 52.55(10)(a) (a) Buildings or areas in which flammable liquids are stored, and kitchen areas, shall have a fire extinguisher with a 2A, 40 BC rating.

DCF 52.55(10)(b) (b) Other buildings shall have fire extinguishers with a minimum 2A, 10 BC, rating.

DCF 52.55(10)(c) (c) The number, location, mounting, placement and maintenance of fire extinguishers shall comply with chs. SPS 314 and 361 to 366.

DCF 52.55(10)(d) (d) Each floor used for resident activities shall have at least one fire extinguisher.

DCF 52.55(11) (11) Prohibited heating and cooking devices.

DCF 52.55(11)(a) (a) Center buildings housing residents may not use portable space heaters or any device which has an open flame.

DCF 52.55(11)(b) (b) Bedrooms may not contain cooking devices.

DCF 52.55(12) (12) Isolation of hazards. Centers shall comply with chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances on isolation of hazards within buildings.

DCF 52.55(13) (13) Use of listed equipment. Smoke and heat detectors and sprinkler equipment installed under this section shall be listed by a nationally recognized laboratory that maintains periodic inspection of production of tested equipment. The list shall state that the equipment meets nationally recognized standards or has been tested and found suitable for use in a specified manner.

DCF 52.55 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00; correction in (12) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 2001, No. 546; CR 04-040: am. (4) (a) and (12) Register December 2004 No. 588, eff. 1-1-05; correction in (10) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2004 No. 588; corrections in (7), (8) (intro.) and (9) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; correction in (4) (a), (9) (a), (b), (10) (c), (12) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 52.555 DCF 52.555 Carbon monoxide detector.

DCF 52.555(1) (1) A residential care center in a one-unit or two-unit building shall have a functional carbon monoxide detector installed in the basement and on each floor level, except the attic, garage, or storage area of each unit, in accordance with the requirements of s. 101.647, Stats.

DCF 52.555 Note Note: A one-unit building is a single family residence. A two-unit building is a duplex or two-flat.

DCF 52.555(2) (2) A residential care center in a building with at least 3 units shall have one or more functional carbon monoxide detectors installed in accordance with the requirements of s. 101.149, Stats.

DCF 52.555 History History: EmR1106: emerg. cr., eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: cr. Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 52.56 DCF 52.56 General safety and sanitation.

DCF 52.56(1) (1) Private well water supply. Use of a private well for the center’s water supply is subject to approval by the Wisconsin department of natural resources as required by s. DHS 190.05 (2). Testing of water samples shall be done annually by the state laboratory of hygiene or a laboratory approved under ch. ATCP 77. Water samples from an approved well shall be taken between April and October. Water sample tests shall show that the water is safe to drink and does not present a hazard to health. Water sample test results shall be on file and available for review by the department.

DCF 52.56 Note Note: Chapter DHS 190 has been repealed.

DCF 52.56(2) (2) Maintenance.

DCF 52.56(2)(a) (a) A center shall maintain all of its buildings, grounds, equipment and furnishings in a safe, orderly and proper state of repair and operation. Broken, run down, defective or inoperative furnishings and equipment shall be promptly repaired or replaced.

DCF 52.56(2)(b) (b) The center’s heating system shall be maintained in a safe condition as determined through an annual inspection by a certified heating system specialist, installer or contractor. The center shall keep on file copies of annual heating system inspection and service reports.

DCF 52.56(3) (3) Hazardous building materials. Buildings shall be lead-safe if lead-based paint is present, shall have any friable asbestos maintained in good condition and shall be free of urea formaldehyde insulation and any other harmful material which can pose a hazard.

DCF 52.56(4) (4) Floors. The surface condition of all floors in a center shall be safe for resident use.

DCF 52.56(5) (5) Exits.

DCF 52.56(5)(a) (a) Egress requirements. A center shall comply with chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances for number and location of exits, type of exits, exit passageways, and illumination of exits and exit signs.

DCF 52.56(5)(b) (b) Time delayed door locks. Before a center installs time delayed door locks on exits, the center must first request and obtain department of safety and professional services and department approval. Before a center installs time delayed door locks on any interior doors, the center must also request and obtain department of safety and professional services and department approval.

DCF 52.56(6) (6) Walks. Walks shall provide convenient all-weather access to buildings and shall be in a safe condition. Porches, elevated walkways and elevated play areas shall have barriers to prevent falls.

DCF 52.56(7) (7) Rooms below grade. Habitable rooms with floors below grade level shall be in compliance with chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances.

DCF 52.56(8) (8) Occupancy and garage separation. Residential buildings shall be separated from attached garages by a one-hour rated fire wall separation that either abuts a ceiling in the garage that will withstand fire for one hour or extends up to the underside of the garage roof.

DCF 52.56(9) (9) Glass hazards. Areas of a building where the risk is high for residents either to run into windows or where impact on glass presents a risk or hazard shall have screening or safety glass resistant to shattering. Replacement glass in areas exposed to potential hazardous impact shall meet the standards in chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and applicable local ordinances.

DCF 52.56(10) (10) Psychiatric screening.

DCF 52.56(10)(a) (a) In this subsection, “psychiatric screening” means heavy mesh wire or translucent nonbreakable material placed over window openings to prevent egress.

DCF 52.56(10)(b) (b) Psychiatric screening may be installed in areas where risk or hazard is greatest and in a way that preserves a reasonable living environment. Psychiatric screening installed in windows shall not hinder air exchange or the passage of light through the window.

DCF 52.56(10)(c) (c) Before installing psychiatric screening, the center shall have department approval and shall obtain local fire department approval.

DCF 52.56(11) (11) Protective measures. The center shall provide screens or guards for all steam radiators, electric fans, electrical heating units and hot surfaces such as pipes. Fire detectors and emergency lights which could be vandalized by residents shall be protected by wire cages or by other acceptable means.

DCF 52.56(12) (12) Emergency power. Buildings housing 20 or more residents shall have emergency power as required in ch. SPS 316.

DCF 52.56(13) (13) Sewage disposal. A center shall use a municipal sewage system if one is available. If use of an independent or private sewage system is necessary, the installation shall comply with ch. NR 110.