Pennsylvania Code
Title 28 - HEALTH AND SAFETY
Part V - Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs
Chapter 717 - STANDARDS FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL RECOVERY HOUSE LICENSURE
Section 717.29 - Physical plant standards

Universal Citation: 28 PA Code ยง 717.29

Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024

(a) Compliance with applicable laws.

The licensee shall follow applicable Federal, State and local laws and ordinances, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Pub.L. No. 101-336).

(b) Building interior, exterior and grounds.

(1) The licensee shall do all of the following:
(i) Keep the interior, exterior, and grounds or yard of the drug and alcohol recovery house clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair and free of hazards at all times.

(ii) Store all trash in noncombustible, covered containers that prevent the penetration of insects and rodents and remove all trash at least once each week.

(iii) Keep the drug and alcohol recovery house free of rodent and insect infestation.

(iv) Limit smoking to designated outside smoking areas.

(v) Keep exterior exits, stairs and walkways lighted at night.

(c) Living rooms and lounges .

(1) The licensee shall:
(i) provide at least one living room or lounge for the free and informal use by residents, their families and invited guests; and

(ii) maintain furnishings in a state of good repair.

(d) Sleeping accommodations.

(1) Each drug and alcohol recovery house bedroom must have all of the following:
(i) A bed in good repair with a solid foundation and fire-retardant mattress for each resident.

(ii) A pillow, sheets and other bedding in good condition and appropriate for the temperature in the drug and alcohol recovery house for each resident.

(iii) A storage area for clothing for each resident.

(iv) At least 60 square feet of floor space per resident measured wall to wall in each shared bedroom.

(v) At least 50 square feet of floor space per resident measured wall to wall in each shared bedroom with bunk beds. Bunk beds must meet all of the following requirements:
(A) Provide enough space in between each bed and the ceiling to allow a resident to sit up in bed.

(B) Be equipped with a securely attached ladder capable of supporting a resident.

(C) Be equipped with securely attached railings on each open side and open end of the bunk.

(vi) At least 70 square feet of floor space measured wall to wall in each single bedroom.

(vii) Direct access to a corridor or external exit.

(viii) Ventilation by operable windows or have mechanical ventilation.

(ix) A window with a source of natural light.

(2) A bedroom may not:
(i) be used as a means of egress from or access to another part of the drug and alcohol recovery house unless the bedroom is used as an exit under § 717.30(b)(2) (relating to safety and emergency procedures); or

(ii) contain the sole egress to a stairway or basement.

(3) Notwithstanding requirements in paragraph (1) and (2), bedrooms located in a basement must have all of the following:
(i) Wall, floor and ceiling coverings such as tile, linoleum, paneling or dry wall.

(ii) A protective fire wall between the bedroom and a furnace.

(iii) A direct means of egress from the basement to the outside.

(e) Bathrooms. The licensee shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide bathrooms to accommodate residents, staff, volunteers and guests.

(2) Provide a sink, a wall mirror, a soap dispenser and either individual towels, paper towels, or a mechanical dryer in each bathroom.

(3) Have hot and cold water under pressure. Hot water temperature may not exceed 120°F.

(4) Provide privacy in toilets by doors, and in showers and bathtubs by partitions, doors or curtains. There must be slip-resistant surfaces in all bathtubs and showers.

(5) Ventilate toilet and wash rooms by exhaust fan or window.

(6) Provide toilet paper at each toilet at all times.

(7) Maintain each bathroom in a functional, clean and sanitary manner at all times.

(f) Kitchens. The licensee shall do all of the following:

(1) Provide a kitchen area with capacity for residents to safely store food items and prepare meals. The kitchen area must include refrigerator, sink, stove, oven and cabinet space in a good state of repair.

(2) Ensure that storage areas for foods are free of food particles, dust and dirt.

(3) Ensure that refrigerators maintain cold food at or below 40°F and freezers maintain frozen food at or below 0°F.

(4) Ensure that food items are stored off the floor.

(g) Heating and cooling. The licensee:

(1) shall maintain an indoor temperature in the drug and alcohol recovery house between 65°F and 90°F at all times; and

(2) may not use or permit portable space heaters.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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