Section 190.08. Physical environment.

 

(1)   Laundry area. Where laundry service is provided by the institution:

(a) The laundry room shall be well-lighted and mechanically ventilated;

(b) The floor in the laundry room shall be of concrete, tile or similar material impervious to water and easily cleaned, and be pitched to a floor drain; and

(c) The walls and ceiling of the laundry room shall be smooth, non-absorbent, light-colored and have a washable surface.

(2)   Ventilation.

(a) No room may be used as a sleeping room that does not have an openable window leading to the outside or direct outside ventilation by means of windows, louvers, or air conditioning or other mechanical ventilation. If ventilation from outside is only by means of mechanical ventilation, an emergency source of power shall be available.

(b) Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms and soiled linen rooms shall be ventilated to prevent objectionable odors from permeating through the building.

(3)   Housekeeping.

(a) Floors, walls, windows and ceilings shall be kept clean.

(b) All rugs, carpets, blinds, drapes, curtains and upholstered furniture and other furnishings and equipment, including sanitary fixtures, shall be kept clean, free from odor and in good repair.

(c) Toilet articles for common use, to include but not limited to towels, hair brushes and combs, are not permitted.

(d) No common drinking cups or glasses may be used.

(4)   Protection from back-siphonage. In plumbing systems, all cross-connections and arrangements permitting back-siphonage or backflow are prohibited, pursuant to s. SPS 382.41 or, in the case of health care facilities, s. SPS 382.50 .

(5)   Pest control.

(a) Screens. All windows and doors used for ventilation purposes shall be provided with wire screening of not less than number 16 mesh or its equivalent and shall be properly maintained to prevent entry of insects. Screens for windows shall cover at least one-third of the window area. Screen doors shall be self-closing.

(b) Eradication. All means necessary for the elimination of rodents, flies, roaches, bedbugs, fleas, lice and other household pests shall be used. Extreme care shall be taken in the use of poison to prevent accidental poisoning of domestic animals and people.

(c) Labeling and storage of poisonous compounds. Containers of all poisonous compounds used in the extermination of rodents or insects shall be prominently and distinctly labeled for easy identification of contents. Poisonous compounds shall be stored independently and separately from food and kitchenware.

(6)   Solid waste disposal.

(a) Institutions that house persons requiring nursing or medical care shall have facilities for the incineration of soiled dressings or a written agreement with a nearby hospital to dispose of the dressings by incineration.

(b) The contents of garbage and refuse containers shall be removed from the grounds of the institution and disposed of in a sanitary manner at least once a week and more often if necessary.

History: Cr. Register, December, 1985, No. 360 , eff. 1-1-86; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674 .