Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) For
the purpose of this Section, "disaster" means an occurrence, as a result of a
natural force or mechanical failure such as water, wind or fire, or a lack of
essential resources such as electrical power, that poses a threat to the safety
and welfare of residents, personnel, and others present in the
establishment.
b) Each
establishment shall:
1) Have a written plan
for protection of all persons in the event of disasters, for keeping persons in
place, for evacuating persons to areas of refuge, and for evacuating persons
from the building when necessary. The plan shall address the physical and
cognitive needs of residents and include special staff response, including the
procedures needed to ensure the safety of any resident. The plan shall be
amended or revised whenever any resident with unusual needs is admitted. The
plan shall also:
A) provide for the temporary
relocation of residents for any disaster requiring relocation;
B) provide for the movement of residents to
safe locations within the establishment in the event of a tornado warning or
severe thunder storm warning issued by the National Weather Service;
C) provide for the temporary relocation of
residents any time the temperature in residents' bedrooms falls below 55°F
for 12 hours or more as a result of a mechanical problem or loss of power in
the establishment;
D) provide for
the health, safety, welfare and comfort of all residents when the heat
index/apparent temperature (see Section 295.Table A), as established by the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, inside the residents' living,
dining, activities, or sleeping areas of the establishment exceeds a heat
index/apparent temperature of 80°F;
E) address power outages; and
F) include contingencies in the event of
flooding, if located on a flood plain.
2) Instruct all personnel employed on the
premises in the use of fire extinguishers.
3) Post a diagram of the evacuation route and
ensure that all personnel employed on the premises are aware of the
route.
4) Ensure that there is a
means of notification to the establishment when the National Weather Service
issues a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning covering the area in which the
establishment is located. The notification mechanism must be other than
commercial radio or television. Notification measures include being within
range of local tornado warning sirens, an operable National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration weather radio in the establishment, or arrangements
with local public safety agencies (police, fire, ESDA) to be notified if a
warning is issued.
5) Orient each
resident to the emergency and evacuation plans within 10 days after the
resident's arrival. Orientation shall include assisting residents in
identifying and using emergency exits. Documentation of the orientation shall
be signed and dated by the resident or the resident's representative.
c) At least six drills shall be
conducted per year on a bimonthly basis. At least two of the drills shall be
conducted during the night when residents are sleeping. All drills shall be
held under varied conditions to:
1) Ensure
that all personnel on all shifts are trained to perform assigned
tasks;
2) Ensure that all personnel
on all shifts are familiar with the use of the fire fighting equipment in the
facility;
3) Evaluate the
effectiveness of disaster plans, procedures and training.
d) The establishment shall conduct a tornado
drill on each shift during February of each year for employees.
e) Drills shall include residents,
establishment personnel, and other persons in the establishment.
f) Drills shall include making a general
announcement throughout the establishment that a drill is being conducted or
sounding an emergency alarm. Drills may be announced in advance to
residents.
g) Drills shall involve
the actual evacuation of residents to an assembly point as specified in the
emergency plan and shall provide residents with experience using various means
of escape. If an establishment has an evacuation capability classification of
impractical, those residents who cannot meaningfully assist in their own
evacuation or who have special health problems shall not be required to
participate in the drill; however, other requirements of the Life Safety Code
will apply.
h) A written evaluation
of each drill shall be submitted to the establishment manager and shall be
maintained for one year from the date of the drill. The evaluation shall
include the date and time of the drill, names of employees participating in the
drill, and identification of any residents who received assistance for
evacuation.
i) Reporting Disasters
1) Upon the occurrence of any disaster
requiring hospital service, police, fire department or coroner, the
establishment manager or designee must provide a preliminary report to the
Department either by using the Assisted Living Complaint Registry or by fax or
by electronic means. If the disaster will not require direct Department
assistance, the establishment shall provide the preliminary report within 72
hours after the occurrence. This preliminary report shall include, at a
minimum:
A) name and location of
establishment;
B) type of
disaster;
C) number of injuries or
deaths to residents;
D) number of
units not usable due to the occurrence;
E) estimate of the extent of damages to the
establishment;
F) type of
assistance needed, if any;
G) other
State or local agencies notified about the problem.
2) The establishment shall submit a full
written account to the Department within seven days after the occurrence,
including the information specified in subsection (i)(1) of this Section and a
statement of action taken by the facility after the preliminary report was
filed.