(1) All group care
facilities shall be constructed according to standards approved by the
Tennessee Department of Health and Environment and the Fire Safety Division of
the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, including provisions of the
current Life Safety Code applicable to the homes regulated hereunder.
(2) All group care homes shall be inspected
and approved annually by the designated Fire Safety Authority and by
representatives from the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. (Refer
to Appendices A and B.) The Agency must be in compliance with the applicable
regulations and standards of these authorities including the current Life
Safety Code applicable to the homes regulated hereunder in order to obtain or
retain a license.
(3) All family
boarding homes shall meet the standards set forth in Appendix A, C, and
D.
(4) The licensing consultant
shall inspect the Family Boarding Homes using Appendix A, C and D.
(5) There must be a family-type setting and
living arrangements which enhance family living.
(a)
Living Room: There must
be a living room or den for each group of children.
(b)
Sleeping Provisions:
1. Each child must have a separate bed of
suitable size;
2. Children of
opposite sex over the age of five (5) must not sleep in the same
room;
3. Children must not sleep in
the same room with adults. Exceptions may be desirable on in frequent occasions
and for short periods of time in case of illness or temporary emotional
upset.
4. Sixty-five (65) square
feet of floor space in the sleeping area must be available for the first child
and 50 square feet must be available for each additional child; and
5. There shall be no more than four children
per sleeping room.
(c)
Kitchen:1. The kitchen must
be equipped to ensure sanitary conditions;
2. There must be a satisfactory method of
refrigeration;
3. There must be
enough dishes and silverware to serve the household, suitable to a child's use
and similar to an adults;
4.
Cooking and eating utensils must be kept in storage space which is protected
from dust, insects, and other pests;
5. Space that is secure and well out of the
reach of children must be provided for storage of all bleaches, corrosives,
poisons, or any chemicals that have a manufacturer's warning; and
6. There must be enough tables and chairs to
provide accommodations without crowding and they must be kept clean.
(d)
Sanitary
Facilities:1. One flush toilet, one
handwashing facility, and one shower or tub for every four children must be
provided in the home;
2. There must
be adequate and sanitary sewage disposal;
3. The water supply must be obtained from a
source or system approved by the Tennessee Department of Health and
Environment;
4. All garbage must be
placed in a tightly covered container and disposed of in a sanitary
manner;
5. Individual towels and
washcloths must be provided for each child and provision must be made to keep
all toilet articles separate; and
6. All children's equipment must be kept
clean.
(6)
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS:
(a) Measures must be
taken to remove hazards and to prevent accidents.
(b) Children with physical and emotional
handicaps must be protected through appropriate and specific
measures.
(c) There must be
adequate smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to ensure fire
safety.
(d) Each home must have
posted, in a visible and accessible location, a written plan for
evacuation.
(e) Children must be
trained in emergency evacuation procedures.
(f) Emergency telephone numbers must be
immediately accessible to the telephone.
