Subchapter I. BUILDING, FIRE PROTECTION, FURNISHINGS AND MAINTENANCE
Sec.
5320.81. Building, physical plant and grounds.
5320.82. Fire protection and safety.
5320.83. Living/sleeping quarters.
5320.84. Furnishings and equipment.
5320.85. Housekeeping and maintenance.
5320.86. Laundry service.§ 5320.81. Building, physical plant and grounds.
(a) An LTSR may not house more than 16 residents. One provider who had been licensed/approved to operate an LTSR with bed capacity in excess of 16 prior to January 1, 1993, is exempt from this provision.
(b) An LTSR shall have the capacity to allow locks on entrances and exits to preclude elopement of involuntarily committed individuals and to prevent unauthorized entrance. Physical attributes of the facility that are intended to maintain necessary levels of protection shall be as unobtrustive as possible to maintain a home-like environment.
(c) The LTSR shall have an adequate supply of hot and cold water piped to each wash basin, bathtub/shower, kitchen sink, commercial dishwasher, and to laundry equipment. Hot water accessible to residents may not exceed 130°F at the outlets.
(d) Heating in rooms used by residents shall be maintained at a temperature of not less than 65°F or, when there are residents 65 years of age and older, not less than 70°F.
(e) Portable space heaters are prohibited. Space heaters shall be adequately vented and installed with permanent connections and protectors.
(f) Steam heat radiators and pipes in rooms and areas used by residents and within reach of residents shall be covered.
(g) Fireplaces shall be securely screened when in use.
§ 5320.82. Fire protection and safety.
(a) The program director shall arrange for the local fire department or another outside safety consultant to inspect and approve each LTSR site for fire safety and to determine the number, location and type of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors required. This fire safety inspection shall be done before initial occupancy and repeated at least every 2 years thereafter. Inspections shall be documented.
(b) Emergency telephone numbers for the fire department, local police and on-call direct care staff shall be posted at each telephone in the LTSR.
(c) The staff shall be instructed in the operation of the fire extinguishers.
(d) Residents may be permitted to smoke only in designated areas. Proper safeguards shall be taken against the fire hazards involved in smoking, such as providing ash trays.
(e) Fire drills at each LTSR site shall be documented and held at least every 2 months; night time drills shall be conducted semiannually.
§ 5320.83. Living/sleeping quarters.
(a) No more than two residents may be housed in any room regardless of its size.
(b) A single occupancy room shall have at least 80 square feet of floor space. Bedrooms for two persons shall have at least 60 square feet of floor space per person and have sufficient floor space to accommodate the items required in § 5320.84 (relating to furnishings and equipment). If a bedroom has a built-in closet, up to 9 square feet per closet may be counted in calculating the square footage of floor space. Bedrooms for one or more immobile residents may require additional square footage sufficient to accommodate the special needs of the resident, such as a wheelchair or special furniture or equipment.
(c) Bedroom windows shall have curtains, shades or blinds that cover the entire window when drawn.
(d) Residents shall have direct access to bathrooms, kitchens and other living areas without having to pass through the bedroom of another resident.
(e) Residents who are immobile shall be given bedrooms on the ground floor closest to the exit.
(f) Bunk beds or other raised beds of any type which require a resident to climb steps or ladders to get into or out of bed may not be used.
(g) Resident bedrooms are reserved for use by their occupants; they may not be used as common rooms for group activities.
(h) There shall be one tub or shower for every six or fewer residents. Each LTSR shall have at least one bathtub.
(i) Bathrooms shall be equipped with soap, toilet paper and sanitary towels or a hand blow dryer. Rack space shall be provided in the bathroom for personal towels. The use of common towels is prohibited.
(j) Toilet and bath areas shall have grab bars, hand rails and assist bars as needed. Tubs and showers shall have nonslip surfaces. Multiple toilets, bathtubs or showers in the same room shall be enclosed to provide privacy.
(k) Residents shall have the use of recreation or lounge areas which, in combination, shall be large enough to accommodate all residents at once. Lounge areas shall be equipped with adequate and appropriate seating, lighting sufficient for reading and tables. A working television and radio shall be available in at least one lounge area. The LTSR provider shall provide reading and recreational materials for residents.
§ 5320.84. Furnishings and equipment.
(a) Each resident’s bedroom or bed area shall be equipped with the following items, which shall be clean and maintained in good repair:
(1) A single or double bed with a mattress and firm box spring.
(2) A bed pillow.
(3) Bed linens and blankets.
(4) Towels and wash cloths.
(5) A chair.
(6) A bedside table or shelf.
(7) A bedside lamp.
(8) A towel bar.
(9) A dresser and mirror.
(10) A clothes closet or wardrobe.
(b) In two-bed bedrooms, items listed in subsection (a)(9) and (10) may be shared by two residents.
(c) The resident may furnish some or all of the items listed in subsection (a) and other personal possessions such as radios and televisions as space permits, unless the possession constitutes a hazard or interferes with the rights of other residents. Residents should be encouraged to personalize their bedrooms. LTSR house restrictions on the amount or type of personal furnishings permitted should be stipulated in the resident/provider contract.
(d) Space for storage of personal property, such as trunks, suitcases and seasonal clothing, shall be provided in a dry, protected area.
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 5320.83 (relating to living/sleeping quarters).
§ 5320.85. Housekeeping and maintenance.
(a) Furniture shall be arranged to provide for the safety and comfort of the residents and to permit quiet privacy zones and areas that foster social interactions.
(b) Furnishings and housekeeping shall be maintained so that the LTSR is comfortable, ‘‘home-like’’ and clean.
(c) Residents shall be encouraged to keep their bedrooms neat and tidy and to assist with cleanup of program areas after group or individual activities. The LTSR shall provide basic housekeeping, cleaning and maintenance of the physical plant.
(d) The LTSR shall be free of hazards, such as loose or broken window glass, loose or cracked floors and floor coverings, and cracked or loose plaster on walls or ceilings.
(e) Interior and exterior stairways shall have securely fastened handrails and nonskid surfaces. If present, stair coverings shall also be securely fastened.
(f) Exterior doors and windows opened for ventilation shall be screened.
(g) Appropriate vector control measures shall be used to keep the LTSR free from insects, rodents and other pests.
§ 5320.86. Laundry service.
Laundry service for bed linens, towels and personal clothing shall be provided unless otherwise indicated in the resident/provider contract, and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The supply of linen shall be sufficient to ensure a complete bed linen change at least once per week.
(2) Clean linens shall be stored in an area separate from soiled linen and clothing. Soiled articles shall be kept in covered containers.
(3) The provider shall take measures to ensure that the resident’s clothing is not lost or misplaced in the process of laundering.
(4) A washer and dryer shall be provided for resident use. Residents shall be encouraged and trained in their use to care for personal clothes.
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