1744.08 FACILITY REQUIREMENTS.
(a) General Requirements.
(1) There shall be at least one "non-pay" telephone in each building comprising a group home. This phone shall be easily accessible from all parts of the facility and be readily available in order to summon help in case of fire or other emergency.
(2) Domestic water sources and sewage systems shall meet all applicable standards of the Board of Health and other governmental agencies.
(3) Each group home shall have a functional water heater capable of supplying an adequate amount of water at a temperature of 105° Fahrenheit to every kitchen sink, lavatory basin, bathtub or shower. Water temperature shall not exceed 120° Fahrenheit.
(4) Garbage containers of watertight construction with handles and tight-fitting covers shall be placed in suitable locations and in sufficient numbers throughout the group home. These containers shall be emptied and washed at frequent intervals and the area of their storage shall be kept free of rodents, flies and other insects. Final disposal of garbage shall be by a method approved by the Board of Health and any other appropriate governmental agency.
(5) Electrical service of a capacity sufficient to meet the needs of the group home shall be provided. Lighting methods other than electricity shall not be permitted except during power failures and then only battery operated lights shall be used. Operable flashlights shall also be available and their location known to employees. Sufficient electrical outlets shall be available in each sleeping room.
(6) Each group home shall be equipped with an approved heating system and maintain a temperature of at least 70º Fahrenheit during the day and at least 50º Fahrenheit at night in all habitable rooms, bath and toilet rooms and kitchens for twenty-four hours of each day whenever the outside temperature falls below 50º Fahrenheit. Temperatures shall be measured at the approximate center of the room and three feet above the floor.
(7) Each group home shall avoid temperature extremes within the facility that may be a health hazard to the residents.
(8) Each group home shall be provided with suitable day room or living room space necessary for the usual functions of daily living. Such areas shall be properly heated, lighted and shall be comfortably furnished.
(9) Each group home shall have appropriate staffing as determined herein:
A. At least one full-time staff person awake and alert on duty at all times, twenty-four hours per day;
B. Additional staffing shall be added as needed based on the level of care required by residents; such level of care includes, but is not limited to, personal care, protective care, personal service, or personal assistance.
The above shall apply only when a resident is actually in the facility.
(10) Each group home shall provide a written admission agreement which defines the services, rights and responsibilities of both parties.
(b) Residents' Living and Sleeping Quarters.
(1) Sleeping rooms, if for one person, shall contain not less than eighty square feet of usable floor space; if for more than one person, not less than sixty square feet of usable floor space for each person. Ceiling height shall be a minimum of seven feet. No more than three persons may be housed in any one sleeping room. There shall be a minimum of three feet between beds.
(2) Only rooms with an unrestricted direct access to a hallway, living room or other acceptable common usage area shall be used as sleeping rooms. No beds shall be permitted in corridors, halls, living rooms, kitchens, basements, cellars or unfinished attics.
(3) Each sleeping room shall be provided with an adequate source of artificial light.
(4) Residents shall not be permitted to smoke in sleeping rooms.
(5) Any resident requiring a wheelchair or walker shall be located on the ground floor of a group home and must be able to enter and exit such facility without assistance.
(6) Except where prohibited by law or court order, sleeping rooms shall have windows to the outside. Window areas shall be of clear glass and/or other acceptable approved material. At least one window shall be capable of being opened in each room for ventilation purposes. This window(s) shall have adequate screening to prevent the entrance of insects.
(7) Adequate closet/storage space for the personal belongings of each resident shall be provided.
(8) Each resident shall be provided with a comfortable bed, not less than thirty-six inches wide, with springs and mattress in good condition. Roll-away beds, cots or "hide-a-beds" are prohibited.
(9) Each resident shall be provided with at least one comfortable pillow, clean, adequate, lightweight warm bedding, and a clean water resistant/waterproof mattress protector and pad, if not factory protected. At least one change of clean sheets shall be provided to each resident each week.
(10) Each sleeping room should be provided with at least one chair in good condition for each resident.
(11) There shall be at least one noncombustible waste basket in each sleeping room.
(12) Carpets or other floor coverings shall either be securely fastened to the floor or have nonskid backing. They shall not be permitted to become hazardous because of curling edges or tattered sections.
(13) All sleeping rooms shall be kept in a clean condition. It is the operator's responsibility to ensure this if the resident is unable to properly care for the room.
(14) Cooking shall be prohibited in sleeping rooms.
(15) Except where prohibited by law or court order, each facility shall establish a private area for residents to receive visitors. Residents shall also be allowed to have visitors in common areas of the group home.
(16) Residents shall be permitted to have personal items and furnishings in their rooms, whenever feasible.
(c) Toilet and Bath Facilities.
(1) Every small group home serving five or fewer residents shall have a minimum of one toilet, one lavatory, and one bathing facility. Medium group homes serving six to ten residents shall have a minimum of two toilets, two lavatories and two bathing facilities. Large group homes serving eleven to sixteen residents shall have a minimum of three toilets, three lavatories and three bathing facilities.
(2) Toilets with lavatories shall be so located as to be reasonable accessible to all users from a common hall or area.
(3) Bathtubs and showers shall be so located as to be reasonably accessible from a common hall or area without the necessity of traveling more than one story up or down.
(4) No resident toilet or resident bathroom shall be located so that access requires passage through the kitchen, pantry, food preparation, food storage, dishwashing area or another person's bedroom.
(5) Toilet and bathroom floors shall be of water resistant material, smooth enough to be easily cleaned but not slippery. Walls shall be easily washable.
(6) Each tub or shower shall have nonskid floors, or adhesive strips or suction cup rubber mats on the floor.
(7) All toilet seats shall be constructed of nonabsorbent material and be free from cracks. All toilet seats shall be kept clean.
(8) Each resident shall be provided at least twice weekly with clean bath towels, clean face towels, clean wash cloths; a towel rack should also be provided and clean sanitary toweling for hand washing after toileting. The operator shall furnish toilet paper and soap.
(9) All toilet rooms and bathrooms shall be ventilated to the outside air. Unless windows in these rooms can be safely and easily opened and closed by all residents, ventilation shall be by ducts and fans.
(10) The facility shall be responsible for providing all equipment necessary for the residents to do their own laundry.
(d) Minimum Safety Standards.
(1) All stairwells, inclines, ramps and open porches shall be provided with handrails and shall be well-lighted.
(2) All halls and passageways shall remain unobstructed.
(3) No scatter, throw or area rugs shall be used near stairways or landings.
(4) Nightlights shall be available in sleeping rooms, bathrooms and hallways.
(5) Hot and cold water faucets shall be clearly and consistently marked.
(6) Rough-surfaced adhesive strips or suction-cup rubber mats shall be used in each shower or tub.
(7) Standard first aid kits shall be readily available.
(8) Disinfectants, pesticides, poisons and other hazardous substances shall be clearly labeled and stored away from food service and storage, and shall be kept in a locked area.
(9) Sidewalks, fire escape routes and entrances shall be kept free of snow, ice and debris at all times.
(10) Grounds of the facility shall be kept in an orderly, litter-free manner, clear of refuse and discarded objects.
(e) Food Service.
(1) All food service facilities and practices shall be in compliance with applicable sections of the Ohio Revised Code and the Ohio Administrative Code. Health Department Sanitarians shall inspect the kitchen and food service areas at least yearly to ensure compliance.
(2) A minimum of three meals in each twenty-four hour period shall be provided to each resident, with at least a four hour interval between meals. The maximum time between the evening and morning meals shall be fourteen hours. If more than fourteen hours elapse between the evening meal and the morning meal, a nutritious evening snack shall be provided.
(3) All food shall well-balanced, palatable, properly prepared, attractively served and sufficient in quality and quantity to meet current recommended daily dietary allowances of the Food and Nutrition Board.
(4) Menus shall be prepared at least one week in advance and be posted for the residents' inspection. Copies of the menu shall be kept at the licensed premises for three months and be available for inspection by the Health Commissioner or duly appointed representatives.
(5) Fresh food supplies shall be kept on hand in such quantities to serve for at least two days, and staple food supplies shall be kept on hand in such quantities to serve for at least one week. Such quantities of fresh and staple food supplies shall be available within the group home at all times.
(6) A dining area of ample space shall be provided.
(7) All food service and food storage areas in the group home shall be kept in such a manner that they shall be free from contamination and/or vermin infestation.
(8) Each day's meals in the home shall include at least the following (except when indicated otherwise by a physician):
A. Meat, poultry, fish, eggs or cheese served in at least two meals and totaling not less than four ounces of protein-rich food.
B. Two eight-ounce glasses of milk or equivalent.
C. Four, one-half cup servings of vegetables and fruits including at least one good source of Vitamin C daily and one good source of Vitamin A every two days.
D. Four servings of whole grain, enriched or restored bread or cereal products.
E. Three teaspoons of butter or margarine.
(f) Kitchen Equipment and Food Storage. Each group home shall maintain:
(1) Sufficient kitchen equipment and appliances in good repair to prepare meals for all residents;
(2) Kitchen facilities and equipment in a clean and sanitary manner;
(3) Dishwashing facilities that assure effective washing, rinsing and sanitizing of all utensils, including dishes, glassware and silverware after each use by residents;
(4) All food products stored at appropriate temperatures.
(5) All leftovers shall be stored in airtight containers labeled and dated.
(Ord. 98-88. Passed 3-4-98.)