Section 52.51. Buildings and grounds.

 

(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.

(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.

(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 .

History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530 , eff. 9-1-00; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 2001, No. 546 ; CR 04-040 : am. (1) (a) 1., (b) and (2) Register December 2004 No. 588 , eff. 1-1-05; correction in (3) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635 ; correction in (1) (a) 1., (b), (c), (2) (a), (5) (a), (e) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., 7., Stats., Register December 2011 No. 672 , eff. 1-1-12.

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. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 See s. DCF 52.55 (7) for inspection and maintenance requirements for sprinkler systems. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1