Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 0465 - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Subtitle 0465-02 - Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Department of
Chapter 0465-02-04 - Life Safety Licensure Rules
Section 0465-02-04-.06 - RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCIES - BOARD AND CARE

Universal Citation: TN Comp Rules and Regs 0465-02-04-.06

Current through September 24, 2024

(1) Definition - Board and Care facilities include a building or part thereof that is used for the lodging and boarding of four (4) or more persons supported, not related by blood or marriage to the owner or operator, to provide care services. Examples of facilities required to meet board and care occupancy standards are an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Boarding Home Facility and an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Residential Habilitation Facility.

(2) Criteria - For the purpose of Life Safety, licensees required to meet Board and Care occupancy must comply with the following:

(a) Applicable standards of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association, Residential Board and Care Occupancies, or equivalent standards hereafter adopted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and
1. Provide at least two hundred (200) square feet, gross, of occupiable space per person.

2. Provide at least:
(i) Eighty (80) square feet per person of bedroom space for single occupancy; or

(ii) Sixty (60) square feet per person of bedroom space for multiple occupancy.

3. Not allow multiple occupancy which exceeds four (4) persons per bedroom.

4. Equip any stairways with emergency lighting.

5. Provide emergency lighting in any corridors used as means of egress.

6. Not use unvented gas heaters.

7. Use portable electric space heaters only in emergency situations and only under conditions specified by the Office of Licensure.

8. Allow the use of fireplaces only under the following conditions:
(i) For recreation or therapy only;

(ii) Not used as a primary source of heat;

(iii) Used in activity or living rooms;

(iv) Under proper supervision and in accordance with specific written fire safety procedures; and

(v) Fireplaces may be installed and used only in areas other than sleeping areas of persons supported, provided the fireplace is equipped with a heat-tempered glass fireplace enclosure guaranteed against breakage up to a temperature of six hundred and fifty (650) degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Allow the use of portable cooking devices in the kitchen only.

10. Document fire-safety drills which shall be conducted:
(i) Monthly at unexpected times and under varying conditions; and

(ii) Under direct staff supervision.

11. Provide a functioning UL rated battery-operated smoke detector in each bedroom occupied by a person supported and document that all smoke-detection devices are tested monthly and that batteries are changed when no longer operating, but at least yearly.

12. Provide operable 2A-10B, C multi-purpose fire extinguishers in a fixed location and readily accessible for use in the facility, and document that all fire extinguishers are properly maintained and serviced. The Office of Licensure will determine the number of fire extinguishers required in a particular facility.

13. Document instructions to staff upon employment and persons supported upon admission in fire evacuation procedures.

14. Adopt a policy on smoking and ensure designated areas are posted.

15. Suspended unit electric heaters may be used, except in means of egress and sleeping areas of persons supported, provided such heaters are located high enough to be out of the reach of persons supported using the area and provided the heaters are equipped with appropriate safety devices and are approved for use by the Office of Licensure.

16. Use extension cords only on a limited basis and under the conditions acceptable to the Office of Licensure of the Department.

(b) Provide services only for persons who require no greater level of care than personal care as defined at 0465-02-01(51).

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-4-103, 4-5-202, 33-1-201, 33-1-302, 33-1-303, 33-1-305, 33-1-309, 33-2-301, 33-2-302, 33-2-404, 33-2-407.

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