South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 61 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Subchapter 61-103 - Residential Treatment Facilities for Children and Adolescents
Section 61-103.T - Facilities (II)

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 61-103.T

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

(1) General Requirements.

(a) Floor, Wall and Ceiling Material.
(1) Floors, walls and ceilings shall be constructed of, and the exposed surfaces finished with, materials that will permit the safe care of residents. Check for flamespread rating requirements in Standard Building Code.

(2) Floors shall have smooth, cleanable surfaces and shall be kept clean, in good repair, and free from hazards. If carpeting is used, it shall be cleaned regularly and repaired if torn. All possible safeguards shall be taken in the matter of floor covering and maintenance, such as the elimination of sliding rugs and waxed floors, so that the hazards of falling are minimized.

(3) Walls and ceilings shall be in sound condition and clean. No lead based paint shall be used.

(b) Draperies: All window draperies and curtains shall be fire retardant.

(c) Wastebaskets: All wastebaskets shall be of non-combustible materials.

(d) Handrails.
(1) Handrails shall be provided on all steps of two (2) steps or more, on stairways, and porches. All porches, walkways, and recreational areas (such as decks, etc.) which are elevated thirty inches (30"') or more above grade shall have guardrails forty-two inches (42"') high to prevent falls.

(2) [Blank]

(e) Screens: Windows, doors and openings intended for ventilation shall be provided with insect screens.

(f) Glass Used in Windows.
(1) Where clear glass is used in windows, with any portion of the glass being less than eighteen (18"') inches from the floor, the glass shall be of "safety" grade or there shall be a guard or barrier over that portion of the window. This guard or barrier shall be of sufficient strength and design so that it will prevent injury by stepping into or kicking the glass.

(2) All glass doors or sliding "patio type" doors shall have a decal applied at eye level.

(3) All glass windows and mirrors shall be free of cracks.

(g) Accumulation of Ice and Snow: Outside stairs, walkways, ramps, and porches shall be maintained free from accumulations of water, ice or snow.

(2) Resident Rooms.

(a) Interpretation: A resident's room shall be interpreted as an area enclosed by ceiling high walls. No room in basements shall be used for residents. Each resident's room shall be an outside room with an outside window.

(b) Floor Area.
(1) The following floor space requirements are a minimum. The floor space is defined as usable floor space and does not include wardrobes, closets or entry alcoves to a room.
(a) Private room shall be at least one-hundred (100) square feet.

(b) Multibed room shall be at least eighty (80) square feet per bed.

(c) Each resident's room shall have a separate space and equipment, such as a desk and reading light, for each resident which is conducive for studying, if that resident is of school age.

(2) It is prohibited to require passage through a resident's bedroom in order to get to another resident's bedroom or to a toilet or bath area used by residents other than the resident or residents occupying the bedroom.

(c) Ceiling Height: Level ceilings in sleeping rooms shall not be less than seven (7'-0"') feet high. In sleeping rooms with sloped ceilings, only the areas with vertical wall heights of five (5'-0"') feet or more shall be included in the calculation of usable floor area. At least half of the usable floor space must have a ceiling not less than seven (7'-0"') feet high.

(d) Beds.
(1) No facility shall have set up or in use at any time more beds than the number stated on the face of the license.

(2) Beds must be placed at least three (3'-0"') feet apart.

(3) No resident's room shall contain more than four (4) beds.

(4) No child six (6) years old or older may share a bedroom with a person of the opposite sex.

(5) Each resident must have his/her own bed which has a firm mattress with moisture proof cover, linens, pillow and bed covering in good condition.

(6) The bed must be at least thirty-six inches (36"') wide and seventy-two inches (72"') in length. Cots, bunkbeds, or folding "temporary" beds are not permitted.

(7) Beds shall not be placed in corridors, solaria or other locations not designated as resident rooms.

(e) Window Area.
(1) Resident room window area shall be at least one-tenth ( 1/10) of the floor area. At least forty (40%) percent of the required window area shall be operable for ventilation.

(2) Sill height cannot exceed forty (40"') inches above finished floor.

(3) Flexible acrylic glazing may be substituted for glass if necessary for security. The ability to open the window to provide ventilation in an emergency may not be impaired by the acrylic glazing.

(4) Bathroom windows (if any) must be at least three (3) square feet.

(f) Storage Space (In Resident Room): Storage space shall be provided for clothing, toilet articles, and personal belongings of residents. A closet or wardrobe shall be provided for each resident.

(g) Privacy.
(1) All resident bedrooms and bathrooms shall have opaque doors for the purpose of privacy.

(2) Adjoining bedrooms connected by a doorway with no door shall be considered as one room.

(3) Work Station.
(a) A Work Station shall be provided and shall not serve more than forty-four (44) beds.

(b) There shall be at or close by each work station a separate medicine preparation room with cabinet space for storage; work space for preparation of medicine and a sink.

(c) The work station shall contain at least a telephone, bulletin board, and adequate space for keeping resident's charts and space writing records and charts.

(d) A toilet with handwashing fixtures shall be provided nearby.

(4) Storage.
(a) Each work station shall contain separate spaces for the storage of clean linen, wheel chairs and general supplies and equipment.

(b) At least ten (10) square feet per bed for general storage shall be provided.

(5) Laundry.
(a) Facilities.
(1) If a laundry is provided at the facility, laundry fixtures (equipment) shall be located in an area separate from food preparation areas.

(2) A laundry shall provide insulation and ventilation to prevent transmission of noise, heat, steam, and odors to resident areas.

(3) The laundry area shall be divided into specific areas for soiled and clean linen with necessary walls and/or ventilation to prevent cross-contamination.

(b) Soiled Linen Storage.
(1) A soiled linen storage room shall be provided. This storage room shall be designed, enclosed and used solely for that purpose, and provided with mechanical exhaust to the outside.

(2) The soiled linen storage room shall be of one (1) hour fire-resistive construction with "C" labelled 3/4 hour fire-resistive door and have an approved automatic sprinkler unless contained in a separate building.

(6) Janitor's Closet.
(a) A janitor's closet of a minimum of twenty (20) square feet shall be provided for each unit and main food preparation center. Each closet shall be equipped with a mop sink or receptor and space (shelves and brackets) for the storage of supplies and equipment.

(b) Janitor closets must be kept locked.

(7) Grounds.
(a) There shall be sufficient outside recreational play area available as determined by the number and ages of the residents.

(b) The outdoor area shall be free of unprotected physical hazards.

(c) Playground equipment, such as climbing apparatus, slides and swings shall be firmly anchored.

(d) The facility and outside area shall be maintained in good condition and shall be clean at all times, free from accumulated dirt, trash, and rodent infestation. Garbage and outdoor trash containers shall be covered. Outdoor containers shall be emptied at least weekly.

(e) Outdoor areas deemed by the licensing authority to be unsafe, such as steep grades, cliffs, open pits, high voltage electrical equipment, high speed roads, or swimming pools must be enclosed by a fence or have natural barriers to protect the residents. Entrances and exits to fenced hazardous areas must be kept locked when not in use.

(f) Fenced areas which are part of a fire exit from the building must have a gate which is unlockable in case of emergency in the side of the area opposite from the building.

(g) Machinery rooms must be kept locked.

(8) Living/Recreation/Dining Areas.
(a) Indoor areas where residents can go for quiet, reading, study, relaxation, entertainment or recreation must be provided.

(b) The living and recreational areas together shall provide a minimum of fifteen (15) square feet per resident, not including bedrooms, halls, kitchens, dining rooms, bathrooms, and any rooms not available to the residents.

(c) The dining area shall provide a minimum of fifteen (15) square feet per resident.

(d) Where a central dining room is used to serve more than one facility, it must be readily accessible to all residents of each facility and residents must be able to access the dining room through a heated corridor.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina 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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