Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
This rule prescribes minimum requirements and standards of
sanitation and safety for K-12 private schools, as defined in Section
1002.01, F.S., located within
the state regardless of the nature of the school, its ownership or
organization.
(1) School Site. The
school site including areas used for playgrounds and that immediately adjacent
to school buildings shall be provided with adequate facilities for surface
drainage. A site should remain free from health threats from hazardous
materials.
(2) Playgrounds and
Athletic Equipment. Playgrounds shall be constructed and maintained to permit
maximum utilization of sites with elimination of sanitary and health hazards
including mudholes, fragments of glass, stone and similar obstructions.
(a) Fixed playground equipment shall be
anchored with substantial foundations so maximum safety is obtained.
(b) Athletic and recreational equipment and
facilities must be kept clean and in a safe condition. Fences and equipment
shall be maintained so that no jagged or sharp projections exist.
(c) Cushioning materials such as mats, wood
chips, or sand shall be used under climbing equipment, slides, and
swings.
(3) Building
Construction and Maintenance.
(a) Upon
request, K-12 private schools shall provide proof of any required permitting
for school construction and remodeling pursuant to Section
553.79, F.S. School buildings
shall be maintained so that they are vermin-proofed.
(b) Buildings shall be kept clean and in good
repair, free from hazardous conditions such as loose or broken floor tiles and
boards; loose moldings; loose hanging fixtures, pipes, and electric wires; and
broken plaster.
(c) Furnishings and
equipment shall be kept clean and in good repair, free of missing parts and
hazards such as sharp edges.
(4) Lighting Standards.
(a) All instructional spaces shall be capable
of providing a minimum illumination of forty (40) foot-candles at normal task
level.
(b) All required
illumination shall be designed so that the failure of any single unit, such as
the burning out of an electric bulb will not leave any occupied area or means
of egress in darkness.
(5) Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
Standards.
(a) Permanent type school buildings
and additions to school buildings shall be provided with heating facilities.
Heating facilities shall be designed to heat to a temperature of not less than
seventy (70) degrees fahrenheit, in instructional rooms, locker rooms and
cafeterias; and sixty-five (65) degrees fahrenheit in toilets and activities
rooms, such as gymnasiums and shops.
(b) No school plant or portion thereof shall
be equipped with any type of equipment in which fumes of combustion or fuel may
be discharged or can escape into the interior of buildings.
(c) Heat producing appliances and systems
shall be maintained in a proper working condition.
(d) Ventilation and air conditioning. All
occupied rooms and other rooms where odors or contaminants are generated shall
be vented to the outside. Ventilation rates shall be maintained as designed.
1. Natural ventilation.
a. When natural air flow is used in
instructional spaces, it shall be designed and maintained to assure cross
ventilation.
b. Gravity and wind
operated ventilators shall not be used as an exhaust medium in instructional
areas but may be in general storage rooms.
2. Mechanical ventilation.
a. All occupied spaces which do not meet the
requirements for natural ventilation shall be mechanically ventilated by means
of electrically operated exhausts. The ventilation system shall be maintained
to insure air movement throughout the room at the level of the seated student.
Fans and blowers shall be maintained to provide the required air movement
without excessive or disturbing noise. Exhaust from dishwashing areas shall not
be through the kitchen.
b.
Mechanical ventilation systems shall be maintained in areas of high air
contamination such as paint shops, auto repair shops and chemistry
laboratories, art rooms where kilns are used, wood working and metal shops, and
chemical storerooms.
(6) Sanitary Facilities. Every school plant
shall be provided with toilet and hand washing facilities for all occupants.
These facilities shall be located for convenient student access and faculty
supervision and kept clean and in good repair.
(a) Toilet Facilities.
1. All group toilet rooms shall be provided
with at least one (1) floor drain and (1) hose bib. The floor shall be sloped
to the drain. Stall urinals do not serve for the required floor
drains.
2. In group toilet rooms a
partition shall be placed between each water closet. Each compartment shall
have a privacy partition. Entrances to group toilet rooms shall be provided
with a partition or other privacy shielding device to block the occupants from
view. The toilet partitions and floors shall be finished with impervious
materials.
3. Deodorizers shall not
be used in toilet rooms. Air deodorizers are not to be confused with
disinfectants.
(b)
Handwashing facilities.
1. Handwashing
facilities shall be located within or adjoining each toilet room.
2. Soap dispensers shall be provided at all
wash basins and liquid or powdered soap shall be used.
3. Individual towels, preferably paper shall
be used. Use of common or public towels is prohibited. Hot-air hand drying
devices may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, individual
towels.
(c) Showers.
1. When provided, shower rooms and stalls
shall have floors and walls finished with dense non-absorbent and non-corrosive
materials having a smooth impervious surface.
2. Water shall be heated and the temperature
at the shower head shall not exceed one hundred ten (110) degrees fahrenheit
nor be less than ninety-five (95) degrees fahrenheit.
3. Showers must be kept clean and free of
mildew.
4. Foot baths shall not be
provided.
(7)
Water Supply.
(a) The water supply for the
school must be from a source that is licensed or permitted pursuant to the
Florida Safe Drinking Water Act or Section
381.0062, F.S., as
applicable.
(b) Drinking fountains
of an approved, sanitary slant jet type shall be provided in a ratio not less
than 1 per 100 occupants. In no case shall fountains be located in any toilet
room.
(8) Sewage
Disposal. Sewage disposal systems shall be installed, operated and maintained
in a manner that does not create a sanitary nuisance, as that term is defined
in Chapter 386, F.S.
(9) Solid
Waste. Garbage, trash, and rubbish shall be collected, stored, and disposed of
at a frequency and in a manner that prevents a sanitary nuisance. Wet garbage
shall be collected and stored in impermeable, leak proof, fly tight containers
pending disposal. Outdoor waste containers must be easily cleanable and
serviceable. Waste containers and the storage area shall be cleaned at frequent
intervals to prevent odors and breeding places for vermin. Waste water from the
cleaning of garbage containers shall be disposed of as sewage.
(10) Pest Control. Effective measures shall
be used to prevent harborage, propagation, or infestations of rodents, flies,
cockroaches, and other vermin on school premises. Brush, trash or other
unnecessary material shall not be allowed to accumulate on school premises.
Water must not be allowed to accumulate in any open containers, such as buckets
and tires.
(11) First Aid Kit.
Schools shall own and maintain a first aid kit available to pupils under
supervision of an adult at all times while school is in session.
(12) Diaper Changing Station.
(a) A diaper changing station shall be
located in or adjacent to any classroom where children wearing diapers are
enrolled.
(b) A hand lavatory shall
be provided within the changing station area. Access shall be provided to the
lavatory without opening doors or touching handles.
(c) Diaper changing stations, when provided,
must be equipped with an impermeable changing mat that is cleaned and sanitized
after each use. The use of tape to cover rips or tears in the impervious mat
covering is prohibited.
(d) Diaper
changing tables must be maintained in a safe and secure condition at all
times.
(e) A sanitizer that is
approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) shall be available at
the changing station. The sanitizer shall be prepared according to the
manufacturer's instructions and used as directed on the label.
(f) A garbage can equipped with a tight
fitting lid and lined with an impermeable garbage bag must be located at the
diaper changing station. The garbage can must be cleaned and sanitized at least
daily.
(13) Animal Health
and Safety. Animals living in or visiting an educational facility shall comply
with the requirements of this subsection.
(a)
Animals requiring rabies vaccination under Section
828.30, F.S., must be vaccinated
for rabies and their vaccinations must be current at the time of inspection.
Proof of rabies vaccination or veterinary certification of vaccination
exemption shall be kept on the school premises at all times and made available
to the local county health department upon request.
(b) All animals must be kept fee from disease
and in good health or under treatment by a licensed veterinarian.
(c) Aggressive, venomous, or potentially
dangerous animals must be restricted from access by the students at all times
and kept in such a manner so as not to be able to become free roaming and cause
or inflict harm to the students, visitors, or employees. These animals may not
be housed in the students sleeping quarters or dormitory sleeping
areas.
(d) Aminal housing, cage,
aquarium, barn or other housing arrangements shall be kept clean and in good
repair. Food and clean water shall be adequately supplied and accessible to the
animal.
(14) Dormitories
and Residential School Facilities.
(a)
Dormitories and residential school facilities shall be maintained in good
condition, clean, free from pest infestations and noisome odors, and shall be
free of health and safety hazards.
(b) Dormitories and residential school
facilities, located on the premises of a school, shall not be part of the
routine inspection of the school facility. Dormitories and residential school
facilities shall be inspected on a complaint
basis.
Rulemaking Authority
381.006(16) FS.
Law Implemented 381.006(6),
(16)
FS.
New 10-25-11.
