Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
ATCP 55-89 - Food, Lodging, and Recreation Safety
Chapter ATCP 78 - Recreational And Educational Camps
Subchapter V - General Provisions
Section ATCP 78.24 - Buildings and grounds

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง ATCP 78.24

Current through August 26, 2024

(1) WISCONSIN BUILDING CODE. Except as specified in this section, all buildings at a camp shall comply with applicable Wisconsin department of safety and professional services standards as enforced by the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services.

(2) HANDRAILS, GUARDS AND STAIRS. Except as provided in par. (d), handrails and guards shall be provided as follows:

(a) Handrails. A flight of stairs with more than 3 risers shall be provided with at least one handrail with a height of 30 to 38 inches above the step for the full length of the flight. Pf

(b) Guards.
1.
a. Guards shall be provided on all open sides of stairs consisting of more than 3 risers, Pf and

b. All elevated surfaces in interior and exterior structures shall be provided with guards on all open sides that are elevated more than 24 inches above the floor or grade, Pf including lofts, open sides of landings, platforms, decks, balconies or porches.

2. The guard height shall extend to at least 36 inches above the floor or to the underside of a stair handrail. Pf

3. Except as specified in subd. 4., a guard shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere not less than 4 3/8 inches in diameter. Pf

4. A rope, cable, or similar material used in guard infill shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 3 and a half inches in diameter with vertical supports a maximum of 4 feet apart. Pf

(c) Stairs.
1. The triangular openings at the open sides of a stair, formed by the riser, tread and bottom rail shall not have openings that allow passage of a sphere 6 inches in diameter.

2. Stairs with open risers shall not exceed more than 4 inches in height.

(d) Exemptions. This section, does not apply to window wells, egress wells, retaining walls, other landscaping features or detached walkways or stairs that are not part of the building structure.

(3) MEANS OF EGRESS.

(a) Doors.
1. Doors must be arranged to be opened from the occupant's side whenever the building is occupied.

2. A latch or other fastening device on a door must be provided with a knob, panic bar, or other simple type of releasing device having a method of operation that is obvious under all lighting conditions.

(b) Exit signage. All exits and access ways in a public building or place of employment must be marked by an approved sign visible from any direction of exit access as enforced by the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services.

(4) MAINTAINED CLEAN AND IN GOOD REPAIR.

(a) Interior.
1. The walls, ceiling, floors and equipment in buildings shall be maintained in a clean condition and in good repair.

2. Hot water pipes, steam radiators, fireplaces and permanently installed space heaters and registers shall be shielded, screened or otherwise equipped to protect campers from burns. P

(b) Exterior.
1. Roofs, exterior walls, doors and windows shall be maintained in good repair.

2. Openings to the outside shall be protected from the entrance of pests.

(c) Grounds. The premises shall be maintained in a clean condition free from refuse and pests.

(d) Parking and roadways. Parking areas and roadways shall be maintained to minimize dust and dirt.

(5) LIGHTING. All rooms shall be illuminated to permit cleaning and maintenance.

(6) PEST CONTROL.

(a) Effective measures.
1. Effective measures to minimize the presence of pests shall be utilized.

2. Pest control measures shall be used in a safe manner.

3. Pest control measures shall be applied according to label instructions. P

(b) Restricted use pesticides. A restricted use pesticide shall be applied only by an applicator certified and licensed in accordance with ss. 94.704 and 94.705, Stats., and ss. ATCP 29.25, 29.26 and 29.40. Pf

(7) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES.

(a) Use. Chemicals, flammable materials and other hazardous substances shall be used for their intended purpose and according to the manufacturer's directions stated on the container label. P

(b) Storage.
1. Chemicals and other hazardous substances shall meet all of the following:
a. Stored in their original, covered and labeled containers. P

b. Stored in a separate, secure area accessible only to staff. P

2. Hazardous substances shall be stored in easily identifiable or labeled containers when removed from the storage area for use. P

3. Flammable materials shall be stored:
a. Following safety data sheet storage instructions. P

b. Separately from areas occupied by campers and staff. P

(c) Disposal. Hazardous substances shall be disposed of in a manner and location as directed on the manufacturer's label or the safety data sheet by the local agency having jurisdiction over handling hazardous substances and the applicable sections of chs. NR 660 to 670, as enforced by the Wisconsin department of natural resources. Pf

(8) FIRE PREVENTION.

(a) Written notification of intent to operate. Local fire fighting and law enforcement officials shall be notified in writing when the camp is planning to be in operation or annually if the camp is open year-round. Pf

Note: Camps should invite local fire and law enforcement to the camp, so they are familiar with the camp road systems and building structures.

(b) Fire extinguisher location. A fire extinguisher shall be located in all public buildings or places of employment according to the local fire official.

(c) Fire extinguisher maintenance. Annual maintenance shall be performed and then recorded on a tag or label attached to each fire extinguisher that indicates the month and year the maintenance was performed, the initials of the person performing the service and the name of the company performing the service. Pf

(d) Smoke detectors. The operator shall install and maintain smoke detectors in compliance with the requirements of s. 101.145, Stats. P

(e) Fire alarm and detection systems. When required, the operator shall install and maintain a fire alarm system in compliance with ss. SPS 362.0907 and 314.13, as required and enforced by the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services and shall meet all of the following:
1.
a. The fire alarm system shall be operational at all times that the building is occupied. P

b. A camp operator shall immediately notify the fire alarm technician or other fire inspection or testing personnel in response to any illuminated indicator for alarm, trouble or supervisory notifications on the fire alarm panel.

2. The camp operator shall maintain documentation that verifies the fire alarm system has been inspected and tested annually by a fire alarm system service company. Pf

3. Documentation required in subd. 2. shall be provided to the department or its agent upon request. Pf

Note: Documentation can include the fire alarm and emergency communication system inspection and testing form provided by the service company or the fire inspection report provided by the local fire department.

(f) Building evacuation diagrams. Building evacuation diagrams shall be prepared and posted in all buildings that have 2 or more exit doors to the outside, and shall comply with all of the following:
1. Be conspicuously posted. Pf

2. Indicate the viewer's location. Pf

3. Indicate a minimum of 2 evacuation routes to fire exits. Pf

(9) CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS.

(a) Installation. The operator shall install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms in compliance with the requirements of s. 101.149, Stats. P

(b) Prohibitions. The use of unvented furnaces and space heaters fueled by natural gas, kerosene, alcohol or other fuel shall be prohibited.

This section is created eff. 9-24-23 by CR 21-109.

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