Alabama Administrative Code
Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH
Chapter 420-5-20 - SPECIALTY CARE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Section 420-5-20-.10 - Sanitation And Housekeeping

1. If at all possible, all water shall be obtained from a public water supply. If it is impossible to connect to a public water system, the private water supply shall meet the approval of the local County Health Department.

2. Water under pressure of not less than 15 pounds per square inch shall be piped within the building to all sinks, toilets, lavatories, tubs, showers, and other fixtures requiring water. Tubs, showers, sinks, lavatories, and other fixtures used by residents shall have hot water supplied. Hot water accessible to residents shall in no case exceed 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

1. There shall be installed within the building a properly designed waste disposal system, connecting to all fixtures to which water under pressure is piped.

2. All liquid and human waste, including floor wash water and liquid waste from refrigerators, shall be disposed through trapped drains into a public sewer in localities where such system is available.

3. In localities where a public sanitary sewer is not available, liquid and human waste shall be disposed through trapped drains into a sewage disposal system approved by the local County Health Department. The sewage disposal system shall be of a size and capacity based on the number of residents and personnel housed and employed in the institution. Where the sewage disposal system is installed at an existing facility prior to granting of a license, it shall be inspected and approved by the local County Health Department.

1. Garbage must be kept in water-tight suitable containers with tight-fitting covers. Garbage containers must be emptied at frequent intervals and shall be thoroughly cleaned and aired before using again.

2. Garbage and waste shall be disposed of in accordance with local and state regulations.

1. Broken beds, extra mattresses, mop buckets, and dust rags shall not be kept in hallways, closets, corners, or occupied resident rooms. Such items must be stored neatly and orderly in designated storage rooms.

2. The use of attics for storage of combustible materials shall be prohibited unless protected by an automatic sprinkler system and then only in small quantities so as not to create a hazardous condition.

3. Basements used for storage shall meet acceptable standards for storage and shall be designed and constructed in a manner that protects against fire hazards.

4. Flammable materials such as gasoline, motor fuels, lighter fluid, turpentine, acetone, and oil based paint shall not be stored in the facility. Unless prohibited by a facility's own policies, however, a cognitively intact resident who uses lighter fluid to fill a personal cigarette lighter, or one who uses flammable materials such as paint or glue in connection with a personal hobby, may store small quantities of those materials in a safe and secure manner within his or her own room.

5. Poisonous or External Use Substances. Facility cleaning supplies and poisons shall be attended at all times or shall be kept in a secure area.