Administrative Rules of Montana
Department 37 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 37.106 - HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Subchapter 37.106.28 - Assisted Living Facilities
Rule 37.106.2866 - CONSTRUCTION, BUILDING AND FIRE CODES

(1) Any construction of or alteration, addition, modification, or renovation to an assisted living facility must meet the requirements of the building code and fire marshal agencies having jurisdiction and be approved by the officer having jurisdiction to determine if the building and fire codes are met by the facility.

(2) When a change in use, ownership, or building code occupancy classification occurs, licensure approval shall be contingent on meeting the building code and fire marshal agencies' standards in effect at the time of such a change. Changes in use include adding a category B, C, or D license endorsement to a previously licensed category A facility.

(3) Changes in the facility location, use or number of facility beds cannot be made without written notice to, and written approval received from, the department.

(4) Exit doors must be operable on the resident side of the door with a single motion and may not require special knowledge for the resident to open, except as approved by the fire marshal and building codes agencies having jurisdiction or in a secured unit or building that services category C or category D residents.

(5) Stairways, halls, doorways, passageways, and exits from rooms and from the building, shall be kept unobstructed at all times.

(6) All operable windows and outer doors that may be left open shall be fitted with insect screens.

(7) An assisted living care facility must have an annual fire inspection conducted by the appropriate local fire authority or the state fire marshal's office and maintain a record of such inspection for at least three years following the date of the inspection.

(8) An employee and resident fire drill must be conducted at least two times annually, no closer than four months apart, and include residents, employees and support staff on duty and other individuals in the facility. A resident fire drill includes making a general announcement throughout the facility that a resident fire drill is being conducted or sounding a fire alarm.

(9) Records of employee and resident fire drills must be maintained on the premises for 24 months from the date of the drill and include the date and time of the drill, names of the employees participating in the drill, and identification of residents needing assistance for evacuation.

(10) A 2A10BC portable fire extinguisher shall be available on each floor of a facility licensed for 20 or more residents. Facilities licensed for less than 20 residents shall comply with the requirements of the fire authority having jurisdiction with respect to the number and location of portable fire extinguishers.

(11) Portable fire extinguishers must be inspected, recharged, and tagged at least once a year by a person certified by the state to perform such services.

(12) Smoke detectors installed and maintained pursuant to the manufacturer's directions shall be installed in all resident rooms, bedroom hallways, living room, dining room, and other open common spaces or as required by the fire authority having jurisdiction. An annual maintenance log of battery changes and other maintenance services performed shall be kept in the facility and made available to the department upon request.

(13) If there is an inside designated smoking area, it shall be separate from other common areas, and provided with adequate mechanical exhaust vented to the outside.