Section 5310.73. Physical plant requirements

(a) Each community residential rehabilitation service (CRRS) must have at least one furnished room available for the purpose of counseling and meetings. The room must assure privacy for participants in the counseling sessions or meetings, but may be a room generally used for other purposes. The room may not be a client or staff bedroom.

(b) Each CRRS site must be in compliance with the requirements of the Department of Labor and Industry under act of April 27, 1927 (P. L. 465) (35 P. S. § § 1221—1235), and The Fire & Panic Act, except in first class, second class and second class A cities in which case the CRRS site shall be in compliance with the local fire codes.

(c) The sewage from each CRRS site must be disposed of in a manner that is in accordance with The Clean Streams Law (35 P. S. § § 691.1—691.1001), the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (35 P. S. § § 750.1—750.20), and the regulations of the Department of Environmental Resources.

(d) Each CRRS site shall meet the following physical requirements:

(1) There shall be an adequate supply of piped hot and cold water to each lavatory, bathtub, shower, kitchen sink and to dishwasher and laundry equipment.

(2) Heating in rooms used by client must be maintained at a temperature not less than 65°F or, where there are clients 65 years of age and older, not less than 70°F.

(3) Portable space heaters may not be used. Space heaters may be used if they are adequately vented, mounted in an exterior wall, installed with permanent connections and protectors and have been inspected and approved by the local fire department.

(4) Woodburning and coal burning stoves must meet all applicable local enforcement codes and shall be inspected and approved by the local fire department.

(5) In facilities where interior temperatures exceed 85° F a fan shall be provided in rooms where temperatures are over 85°F. Fans shall be contained within a protective housing.

(e) Each CRRS site shall meet the following requirements for client residential living areas or spaces:

(1) A living room or recreational area shall be available to clients.

(2) Bedrooms shall be either single or double occupancy. A single occupancy room shall have 80 square feet or more of floor space. A double occupancy room shall have 60 square feet or more of floor space for each client. If a bedroom has a closet, up to 9 square feet may be counted in calculating the square footage of floor space provided there is sufficient floor space to accommodate all items required in paragraph (8).

(3) Each bedroom shall have proper ventilation by means of either one window which can be opened without the use of tools from the inside or by other adequate means.

(4) Space for personal property such as trunks, suitcases and seasonal clothing shall be provided in a dry, protected area which is accessible to clients.

(5) There shall be at least one toilet and lavatory for every six clients.

(6) There shall be at least one tub or shower for every six residents.

(7) The bathroom, kitchen and main exit shall be directly accessible without going through client bedrooms.

(8) Each client shall have available in the room the client occupies the items listed which shall be clean and maintained in good repair.

(i) A bed with mattress and firm foundation, which are both at least 72 inches by 36 inches.

(ii) Bed pillow.

(iii) Mirror.

(iv) Dresser.

(v) Clothes closet or wardrobe.

(vi) A secure place for client valuables such as a locked drawer or locked metal box.

(vii) Chair.

(viii) Bed linens and blankets, appropriate to climate, weather conditions and the client’s individual needs.

(ix) Towels and washcloths.

(x) Towel bar, if not provided in the bathroom.

(9) In a double occupancy room, the items listed below may be shared:

(i) Mirror.

(ii) Dresser, provided at least three drawers are available to each client.

(iii) Clothes closet or wardrobe.

(iv) Chair.

(v) Towel bar.

(10) Beds that require clients to climb steps or ladders to get into or out of bed are prohibited for client use.

(f) Each CRRS site shall meet the following housekeeping and maintenance requirements:

(1) The CRRS sites shall be equipped, arranged and maintained to provide for the health, safety and well-being of clients.

(2) The CRRS sites and furnishings shall be comfortable and clean. Housekeeping chores shall be regularly scheduled and performed.

(3) Floors, walls, vents, equipment and fans shall be clean and maintained in good repair.

(4) The CRRS sites shall be maintained in good repair and free of hazards, such as loose or broken window glass, loose or cracked floor coverings or ceilings and holes in walls.

(5) The site shall be kept free from insects by either screens on all functional outside windows and doors, or other effective means.

(g) Each CRRS shall insure that arrangements are made to enable the clients to launder personal items and linens weekly. If the laundry is done on the premises, proper equipment in good repair shall be available.

(h) Kitchen and dining area shall include the following:

(1) Each CRRS site shall have a kitchen with sufficient floor space and equipment for the preparation and storage of food and which is convenient to the dining area.

(2) Each CRRS site shall have a dining room or dining area that is equipped with sufficient tables and chairs to accommodate all resident clients at one time.

(3) Each CRRS site shall be equipped with utensils for eating, drinking, preparing, serving and storing food, which are in good condition and sufficient in number to meet the needs of resident clients.

Notation

Notes of Decisions

Staff apartment, used for social and meeting area, as well as record and medication storage, would be required to qualify as use accessory to primary use of apartment building as residential, in order to allow community mental health center to use apartment building in compliance with zoning ordinance. Markley v. Carlisle Zoning Hearing Board, 527 A.2d 595 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1987).

Cross References

This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 5310.5 (relating to waiver of standards).