Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Children and Families
DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence
Chapter DCF 52 - Residential Care Centers For Children And Youth
Subchapter VI - Physical Environment and Safety
Section DCF 52.51 - Buildings and grounds
Universal Citation: WI Admin Code ยง DCF 52.51
Current through November 25, 2024
(1) REQUIRED COMPLIANCE.
(a)
Standards. All buildings
of a residential care center shall comply with the following requirements:
1. The applicable state building code
requirements in chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code and
applicable local ordinances.
2. All
requirements in this subchapter, regardless of when a facility was built,
except as otherwise provided in this subchapter.
(b)
Building inspections.
Before beginning operation as a residential care center, all buildings of the
residential care center shall be inspected by the Wisconsin department of
safety and professional services by a certified building inspector and as
needed.
(c)
Construction
approval. The licensee shall submit for approval to the department and
to the department of safety and professional services, division of safety and
buildings, plans for any new buildings or for alterations which will affect the
structural strength, area dimensions, safety or sanitary conditions of existing
buildings. The center shall have in writing the approval of both the department
and the department of safety and professional services before letting contracts
for construction.
Note: Send building plans to the appropriate Building, Grounds and Safety field office of the Department of Safety and Professional Services and to your licensing representative at the appropriate field office listed in Appendix D.
(d)
Exclusive use of space. Center living or work space designated
on approved building plans for use by residents or staff may not be used for
other purposes, except with approval of the department's licensing
specialist.
(e)
Center
grounds. Center grounds shall be maintained in a clean and orderly
condition and shall be free of refuse, debris and hazards.
(2) HOUSING BLIND AND DISABLED RESIDENTS.
(a) Except as provided under par. (b),
buildings housing residents unable to take independent action for
self-preservation shall be of fire-resistive construction as defined in chs.
SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code or protected by a
complete, automatic fire sprinkler system. Sprinkler systems installed shall
have residential sprinkler heads or fast response sprinkler heads. A sprinkler
system shall meet the requirements of chs. SPS 361 to 366, the Wisconsin
Commercial Building Code and any applicable local ordinances for a building of
16 or fewer beds or for a building with 17 or more beds. A sprinkler system
shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Note: See s. DCF 52.55(7) for inspection and maintenance requirements for sprinkler systems.
(b) Sprinklered residential living areas in a
building shall be separated from adjacent non-sprinklered or non-fire proof
construction areas in the same building by at least a 2-hour rated fire wall
separation.
(c) A center which
serves residents who are not able to walk or are able to walk only with
crutches or other means of support shall comply with accessibility requirements
found in appendix B of this chapter.
(3) INTERIOR DOORS.
(a) Except for locked rooms or units under s.
DCF
52.42, all interior doors, including those for
closets, shall have fastenings or hardware that will allow opening from the
inside with one hand without the use of a key.
(b) The design of a door equipped with a lock
or latch shall permit opening the door from either side in case of
emergency.
(c) In a building
housing residents, an employee on each work shift shall have a key or other
means of opening doors with locks or closing devices in that area.
(4) ACCESSIBILITY. Accessibility requirements in appendix B of this chapter shall be met for residents.
(5) ELECTRICAL.
(a) Electrical wiring, outlets and fixtures
shall be properly installed and maintained in safe working condition as
required under ch. SPS 316.
(b) The
minimum number of fixtures and outlets shall be as follows:
1. At least one approved ceiling or wall-type
electric light fixture for every lavatory, bathroom, kitchen or kitchenette,
dining room, laundry room and furnace room, with no less than 5 footcandles of
light at floor level in the center of the room, and with switches or equivalent
devices for turning on at least one conveniently located light in each room and
passageway to control the lighting in the area. The center may substitute a
switched fixture for a ceiling or wall fixture in lavatories, bathrooms and
dining rooms.
2. Duplex outlets as
follows:
a. At least one outlet in each
resident bedroom and in each laundry area and bathroom.
b. At least 2 outlets in any other habitable
room including a dining room.
c. At
least 3 outlets in the kitchen, with separate outlets for the refrigerator and
electric stove.
3.
Ground fault interrupt protection for any electrical outlet within 6 feet of a
water source in a bathroom, kitchen area, laundry room or basement and on the
exterior of the facility and in the garage.
(c) Extension cords may not be used inside
buildings to provide regular electrical service. Where extension cords are used
inside buildings, the center shall plug extension cords into underwriters
laboratories (U.L.) approved fused convenience outlets or outlet
banks.
(d) A center may not have
any temporary wiring or exposed or abandoned wiring.
(e) Center electrical service inspections
shall be completed by a certified inspector as required under ch. SPS
316.
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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