Adult residential treatment facilities (RTFs) shall be limited to adults and comply with the regulations in Sections 457.2.1 through 457.2.4.
The construction and renovation of a facility shall comply with the provisions of the Florida Building Code.
Facilities and additions shall be constructed to allow full compliance with the provisions of this section.
Residential treatment facilities shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local fire safety standards as follows:
1. Level IA licensed facilities shall comply with the fire codes contained in Chapter 69A-3, Fire Prevention—General Provisions, Florida Administrative Code, as described in the NFPA 101, Chapters 18 and 19, Special Definitions as adopted by the Florida Fire Prevention Code, as applicable to limited health care facilities.
2. For facility Level IB, which may have no more than three residents incapable of self-preservation, and for facility Levels II, III, IV and V, which may have no residents incapable of self-preservation, each resident record shall have a signed statement by a physician or licensed psychologist regarding the resident's capability of self-preservation.
3. Facility Levels IB, II, III, IV and V shall have a prompt evacuation capability.
Level IV and V facilities shall have a written policy on the safe use of extension cords and adapters. The use of extension cords and adaptors is prohibited in Level I, II and III facilities.
Electrical cords and appliances shall be maintained in a safe condition.
Portable heating devices shall be used only in emergency situations as defined in agency procedures approved by the governing board.
Flammable liquids or gas cylinders shall not be positioned near flame or heat sources, nor stored with combustible materials.
The facility shall provide egress lighting that will operate in the event of a power failure.
The program shall have a written policy governing smoking in the facilities. Smoking shall be prohibited in any area of the facility where combustible supplies, materials, liquids or gases will be used or stored.
Protection shall be provided from sharp or jagged projections, “invisible” glass, moving parts, heated surfaces, heavy objects that could fall, or any other potentially hazardous condition.
Grab bars shall be nonremovable.
The temperature of the hot water supply shall be regulated and shall be between 105°F (41°C) and 115°F (46°C) at the outlet.
Any electrical fans, except ceiling paddle fans, shall be screened. All electrical fans, including paddle fans, shall be placed in a safe location.
Indoor and outdoor recreational areas shall be provided with safeguards designed for the needs of the residents.
Outdoor recreational areas shall be well drained.
Appropriate health and sanitation inspection certificates shall be obtained before occupying any new physical facility or addition, and at least yearly or as required by statute, thereafter. A report of the most recent inspection must be on file and accessible to authorized individuals.
Hot and cold running water under pressure shall be readily available in all washing, bathing and food preparation areas.
The kitchen and food preparation area shall be well-lighted, ventilated and located apart from areas which could cause food contamination. All doors and windows in the kitchen and food preparation areas that open to the outside shall be screened.
For food service areas with a capacity of 13 or more residents, all matters pertaining to food service shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 64E-11, Florida Administrative Code.
Each refrigerator or freezer used for storage of perishable foods shall be provided with an accurate indicating thermometer located in the warmest part toward the front side of the refrigerator or freezer so that the temperature can be easily and readily observed.
Freezers should be kept at or below 0°F (-18°C).
Dining tables shall seat small groups of residents unless other arrangements are justified on the basis of resident needs.
The dining area shall be suitably lighted, ventilated and furnished.
Residential facilities shall not be identified by an exterior sign or vehicle sign that labels the residents or special functions of the facility. Vehicle traffic and parking relating to the facility shall be similar to that of surrounding structures or residences.
The grounds of the facility shall have adequate space for resident activities.
Areas that accommodate the following shall be available:
1. A full range of social activities;
2. Private conversations;
3. Group activities; and
4. Resident privacy, when appropriate.
All areas of the facility occupied by residents shall be climatically controlled in a manner conducive to the comfort and privacy of the residents and shall include the following.
A design temperature of at least 72°F (22°C) and not to exceed 85°F (29°C) shall be used for waking hours in all areas used by residents. During sleeping hours, a temperature of at least 68°F (20°C) shall be used. These temperature requirements apply unless otherwise mandated by federal or state authorities.
When cooling devices are used, they shall be placed or adjusted in a manner which minimizes drafts.
Drinking water shall be readily available and easily accessible to residents.
Mirrors reasonably free of distortion shall be placed in appropriate places to aid in grooming and to enhance self-awareness.
Clocks shall be provided to promote awareness of time and day.
The use of door locks or closed sections of the building shall comply with all applicable safety standards.
Clean, well-lighted and ventilated laundering facilities for resident use shall be available on the premises or in the immediate neighborhood.
A telephone which allows private conversations shall be available and easily accessible within the facility.
Facility lighting shall promote clear perceptions of people and functions. When and where appropriate, lighting shall be controlled by residents.
Whenever feasible, the environment shall provide views of the outdoors.
Bedrooms shall be designed to meet the following criteria.
All resident bedrooms shall be ventilated, well-lighted and located convenient to a bathroom.
Resident bedrooms designated for single occupancy shall provide a minimum inside measurement of 80 square feet (7 m2) of usable floor space.
Resident bedrooms designated for multiple occupancy shall provide a minimum inside measurement of 60 square feet (6 m2) of usable floor space per bed and be limited to four occupants.
All resident bedrooms shall open directly into a corridor, a common use area or the outside, except in those facilities comprised of apartments.
Each resident bedroom where furnishings are supplied by the facility shall be furnished with personal storage space and adequate space for hanging clothes.
Bedroom doors shall not have vision panels.
Bathrooms shall be designed to meet the following criteria.
A toilet and lavatory facility shall be provided for every six residents, and toilets shall be equipped with seats.
A minimum of one tub or shower facility, equipped with nonslip devices, shall be provided for every eight residents.
Bathrooms shall be ventilated, adequately lighted and have clearly labeled hot and cold running water.
Each bathroom shall have a door in working order to assure privacy.
When there is more than one toilet or bathing facility in a bathroom, provisions are required for privacy.
Bathrooms used by residents with disabilities shall be equipped to ensure safety and independent mobility.
Sole access to toilet or bathing facilities shall not be through another resident's sleeping room, except in facilities comprised of apartments.
Common living areas shall be designed to meet the following criteria.
A room, separate from sleeping areas, shall be provided where residents may read or engage in socialization or other leisure time activities.
A minimum of 35 square feet (3 m2) of living and dining space per resident shall be provided by all facilities except those comprised of apartments. This space shall include living, recreational and other space designated accessible to residents, but shall not include bathrooms, corridors, storage space, or screened porches which cannot be adapted for year round use. Facilities with bedrooms which include living space may count the square footage that is in excess of the bedroom square footage requirements as part of the 35 square footage (3 m2) living and dining space requirements.