Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
(a)
Location. The facility is
located in an area minimizing children's health and safety hazards.
(b)
Other business. When the
program shares the facility with another business, requirements are met, per
Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC)
340:110-3-277(b).
(c)
Construction. The facility
complies with the building and fire codes of the local or state governmental
authority having jurisdiction applicable at permit or license issuance.
Programs operating 24-hours per day comply with additional codes.
(1) New construction and reconstruction, such
as building remodeling or area not previously licensed for child care, complies
with current requirements and building and fire codes.
(A) Construction plans for a new building, an
addition, or reconstruction of an existing building are submitted to the local
or state fire governmental authority having jurisdiction for approval prior to
construction.
(B) Construction,
reconstruction, or alterations occurring during operating hours is conducted
safely.
(C) When existing or new
surfaces are painted, the lead paint content is not above 0.06
percent.
(2) Mobile or
permanently situated manufactured and mobile homes are prohibited. However, a
program licensed in a manufactured home before February 1, 1981, is exempt
unless the program has an address change.
(d)
Floors. Floor surfaces are:
(1) easily cleaned;
(2) sealed when made of absorbent material,
such as concrete and wood; and
(3)
smooth and non-carpeted within food service areas and restrooms.
(e)
Walls and
ceilings. Wall and ceiling surfaces are:
(1) easily cleaned; and
(2) smooth and washable up to the highest
level reached by splash or spray in areas where:
(A) food is prepared;
(B) food-contact items are washed;
and
(C) food service personnel wash
his or her hands, such as walls behind sinks and counters.
(f)
Electrical. The
electrical system is installed, per the Oklahoma Electrical Licensing Act.
(1) Electrical systems installed and
maintained after June 1, 1987, comply with current electrical codes of the
local or state governmental authority having jurisdiction.
(2) Temporary wiring, used as permanent
wiring is prohibited.
(3) Extension
cords, used as permanent wiring are prohibited, unless equipped with built-in
circuit breakers or fuses, such as surge protectors with a built-in
fuse.
(4) Unused electrical outlets
accessible to children 5 years of age and younger are equipped with safety
devices, such as outlet covers.
(g)
Lighting. The lighting:
(1) levels provide comfort and safety,
including observing children's facial features; and
(2) fixtures in food preparation and service
areas are shielded.
(h)
Heating and cooling. The systems pose no risk and comply with
building and fire codes of the local or state governmental authority having
jurisdiction.
(1) The indoor temperature in
children's areas is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
(2) Electric baseboard heaters may be used
when wired directly into the electrical system and no objects have heating
element contact.
(3) Prohibited use
of heating equipment includes:
(A) portable
fuel-burning space heaters;
(B)
open flame heaters, such as gas-fed, wall mounted heaters, wood-burning
fireplaces and stoves, fireplace inserts, pellet stoves, and other devices
producing open flames;
(C) unvented
and vent-free fuel-burning heaters; and
(D) equipment not specifically designed or
installed as a typical heat source, such as cooking equipment.
(4) The prohibited equipment
controls, such as the knobs, are removed or inaccessible during operating
hours.
(5) Portable, electric space
heaters, including electric, oil-filled heaters, may be used as supplemental
heat provided the equipment:
(A) has
Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval;
(B) has an automatic shut off feature for
tipping over and overheating;
(C)
has an external protective covering protecting hands and objects from the
electric heating elements;
(D) is
used, per the manufacturer's instructions;
(E) is not used with an extension cord,
including extension cords equipped with built-in circuit breakers or
fuses;
(F) does not overload the
electrical circuits, such as causing flickering lights or continuously shutting
the electric power off;
(G)
placement is:
(i) on a flat floor
only;
(ii) at least three feet from
flammable materials, such as paper, curtains, and furniture; and
(iii) inaccessible, including the electrical
power cord; and
(H) is
attended while in use, such as personnel present in the room or
classroom.
(6) Guards
protect children from hot heater surfaces, including floor furnaces.
(i)
Ventilation.
Rooms are properly ventilated, such as with a central heat and air system.
(1) Rooms, including the kitchen have
sufficient ventilation keeping rooms free from heat, steam, vapors, smoke, and
fumes.
(2) Ventilation systems
comply with building and fire codes of the local or state governmental
authority having jurisdiction.
(j)
Plumbing. The plumbing is
installed, per the Oklahoma Plumbing Licensing Act.
(1) Plumbing systems installed and maintained
after June 1, 1987, are installed, per the current plumbing codes of the local
or state governmental authority having jurisdiction.
(2) Cross-connections are prohibited between
the safe drinking water supply and non-safe or questionable drinking water
supply or pollution source contaminating the safe drinking water.
(k)
Water supply. The
water supply:
(1) is adequate, safe, sanitary,
and from a:
(A) public water supply;
or
(B) non-public water supply,
such as well water, meeting local and Oklahoma Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) testing requirements. The program obtains at least total
coliformbacteria, nitrate, and lead test results every 12 months from a DEQ
accredited drinking water laboratory. Documentation is maintained, per OAC
340:110-3-281.2(c);
and
(2) has hot and cold
running water under pressure in food preparation areas or where food-contact
items and surfaces are washed.
(l)
Sewage disposal. Sewage,
including mop water, is disposed in a public sewage system or, in its absence,
a manner approved by DEQ.
(m)
Toileting facilities. The toileting facilities requirements in (1)
and (2) of this subsection are met.
(1) For
every 15 children, the facility has at least one toilet, excluding urinals and
potty chairs, easily accessible and in the same building where care is
provided.
(2) The toileting
facilities:
(A) have operable
toilets;
(B) have toilet paper
within easy reach of children;
(C)
with doors meet the door requirements in (q) of this Section; and
(D) used by 6-year-olds or older provide
privacy, such as being equipped with doors or having children take turns while
supervision is maintained.
(n)
Hand washing facilities. The
hand washing facilities requirements in (1) through (3) of this subsection are
met.
(1) Required sinks are plumbed, per (j)
of this Section.
(A) For every 15 children,
the facility has at least one sink, excluding food service areas and portable
sinks, easily accessible and in the same building where care is
provided.
(B) Diaper changing areas
have at least one sink, excluding portable sinks in the same classroom or a
restroom opening directly into the classroom when the classroom has 2-year-olds
or younger in diapers. However, a sink is not required when the:
(i) classroom has 2-year-olds or older with
disposable or cloth training pants, provided adequate supervision and
sanitation provisions are made; or
(ii) licensed capacity is 15 or less and the
facility was originally designed as a family residence provided:
(I) a centrally located restroom sink with a
diaper changing area is nearby; and
(II) children in diapers play throughout the
house rather than an assigned classroom.
(C) The food service areas have at least one
hand washing sink, excluding portable sinks:
(i) with a mixed-valve faucet, in programs
licensed after June 1, 1987; and
(ii) that is separate and in addition to food
preparation and dishwashing sinks.
(2) Portable sinks do not replace required
sinks, per (1) of this subsection. However, portable sinks may be used in
addition to required sinks, provided sanitary conditions are maintained,
including obtaining water from an appropriate water supply, per (k) of this
Section.
(3) Hand washing
facilities have:
(A) operable sinks with
running water between 80 and 120 degrees Fahrenheit;
(B) soap, paper towels, or mechanical hand
dryers, and trash containers within children's easy reach; and
(C) posted procedures, per OAC
340:110-3-281.1(g).
(o)
Kitchens. Kitchens are in a separate area discouraging
unsupervised children and unauthorized individuals.
(p)
Basements. Basements used
for children meet the requirements, per OAC
340:110-3-301(b).
(q)
Exits, doors, windows, and
screens. The requirements in (1) through (7) of this subsection are met.
(1) Exits and exit routes are not blocked by
equipment, furniture, or other objects.
(2) Interior and exterior evacuation exit
doors:
(A) open from the inside without a key;
and
(B) unlock, unlatch, and open
with a single motion.
(3) Restroom doors unlock from the outside in
an emergency, with an opening device readily accessible to personnel.
(4) Closet doors can be opened from the
inside by children.
(5) Clear glass
doors and windows beginning at ground level are plainly marked at children's
eye level.
(6) Exterior screen or
storm doors have a self-closing apparatus.
(7) Opened exterior doors and windows have
properly fitted screens.
(r)
Stairways. Interior and
exterior stairways with four or more steps have at least one
handrail.
(s)
Barriers. Barriers:
(1) are
provided on porches, elevated walkways, and elevated play areas of more than
two feet in height; and
(2) have
openings less than:
(A) two and 3/8 inches
when accessible to 1-year-olds and younger; and
(B) four inches when accessible to
2-year-olds and older.
(t)
Individual smoke alarms.
Individual smoke alarms are:
(1) required when
the facility is not equipped with a central detection and alarm system for
smoke, per (v) of this Section;
(2)
mounted, per the manufacturer's instructions and fire governmental authority
having jurisdiction; and
(3) tested
and maintained, per OAC
340:110-3-279(f).
(u)
Individual carbon
monoxide alarms. At least one individual carbon monoxide alarm is:
(1) required when a fuel burning appliance is
in the building and the facility is not equipped with a central detection and
alarm system for carbon monoxide, per (v) of this Section;
(2) mounted, per the manufacturer's
instructions and fire governmental authority having jurisdiction; and
(3) tested and maintained, per OAC
340:110-3-279(f).
(v)
Central detection and
alarm system for smoke and carbon monoxide. The facility may be equipped
with hard-wired or wireless detectors connected to a central control panel.
When equipped, the system is:
(1) installed,
per the manufacturer's instructions and fire governmental authority having
jurisdiction; and
(2) tested and
maintained, per OAC
340:110-3-279(f).
(w)
Fire
extinguishers. Fire extinguishers:
(1)
are portable and Class ABC;
(2) are
the quantity, size, type, and installation required by the fire governmental
authority having jurisdiction;
(3)
have locations posted, per OAC
340:110-3-281.1(i);
and
(4) are tested and maintained,
per OAC 340:110-3-279(f).
(x)
Phone. The
program provides an operable landline or cellular phone in each building and on
each floor.
(y)
Utilities. The facility has operable utilities.
(z)
Maintenance of facility. The
facility is structurally sound, with interior and exterior in good repair, such
as:
(1) floors without broken tile, torn
carpet, and holes;
(2) walls and
ceilings without holes and peeling paper and paint; and
(3) windows and doors without broken glass
and other hazards.
