18 CRR-NY 900.18NY-CRR

STATE COMPILATION OF CODES, RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
TITLE 18. DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
CHAPTER II. REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER L. HOMELESS HOUSING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PART 900. SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
18 CRR-NY 900.18
18 CRR-NY 900.18
900.18 Environmental standards.
(a) The facility must be maintained in a good state of repair and sanitation and in conformance with applicable State and local laws, regulations, and codes in order to assure a safe, comfortable environment for residents.
(1) All areas of the facility, including exits which are accessible to residents, must be well-lighted, and clear of trash, clutter and obstructions.
(2) All lavatories, sleeping areas, recreational areas, hallways, and other living areas must be kept clean, sanitary, and free of insects, rodents and trash. Procedures must be established and implemented for the cleaning and maintenance of the entire facility.
(3) All garbage and refuse containers must be securely covered and emptied on a daily basis.
(b) Smoke and fire protection.
(1) Supervised smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that are Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) listed must be installed and located in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and comply with all State and local codes including fire prevention, building construction and maintenance, and safety codes.
(2) In a facility approved by the office to house 40 or more residents, at least one of the fire protection systems shall be connected directly to the local fire department or a central station unless local fire officials refuse to establish such a connection. The operator must document such refusal.
(3) In a facility that is approved by the office to house fewer than 40 residents, but which that has a fire protection system capable of being directly connected to the local fire department or a central station, at least one of the fire protection systems shall be so connected unless local fire officials refuse to establish such a connection. The operator must document such refusal.
(4) There must be at least 2 means of egress from each floor designated for public use or on which 11 or more residents are housed. Each means of egress shall:
(i) be remote from one another;
(ii) be open in the direction of exit travel;
(iii) be equipped with panic (quick-release) hardware;
(iv) be equipped with a self-closing device; and
(v) be clear of trash, clutter or obstruction and freely accessible at all times.
(5) A fire escape may be approved as a second means of egress if there is free access to the exit and the use is approved by local fire and building officials.
(6) Fire extinguishers that meet National Fire Protection Association standards and that are appropriate for the type of fire which may occur at the site of installation shall be:
(i) placed at accessible locations on each floor and each wing;
(ii) wall-hung; and
(iii) properly charged and inspected on at least an annual basis by a certified fire safety specialist.
(7) Evacuation procedures which set forth emergency stations, the duties of all staff and residents, and directions for the rapid evacuation of the premises shall be posted in a conspicuous place on each floor and wing.
(8) The following are fire hazards and are prohibited:
(i) portable electric space heaters;
(ii) self-contained, fuel-burning space heaters;
(iii) electric blankets;
(iv) accumulation of combustible materials in any part of the building;
(v) hot plates or other cooking appliances in residents’ rooms; and
(vi) any other items that are determined by the shelter operator to pose an unreasonable fire risk.
(9) At least one staff member on duty during each shift shall be familiar with the fire alarm systems and procedures for monitoring and resetting these systems.
(c) Electrical system.
(1) Overcurrent protection devices must be maintained in safe operating condition, must not be locked or fastened in the “on” position and must be accessible.
(2) Ground-fault circuit interrupters must be installed and operable in:
(i) all electrical receptacles in kitchen areas that serve countertop surfaces;
(ii) all electrical receptacles in bathrooms that are within six feet of the outside rims of sinks, toilets, bathtubs and shower stalls; and
(iii) where otherwise required by applicable State or local regulation or codes.
(d) Safety procedures.
(1) Neither devices such as chain locks, hasps, bars, nor other items such as furniture, can be used in any resident use area in a way that would inhibit access to an exit or the free movement of residents.
(2) Doors in residents’ sleeping units may be secured by the resident provided such doors can be unlocked from the outside by facility attendants or employees or security staff at all times.
(3) Residents must not have access to storage areas used for cleaning agents, bleaches, insecticides, or any other poisonous, dangerous or flammable materials unless necessary for work they are performing.
(4) Night lights must be provided and working in all hallways, stairways and bathrooms which are not private.
(5) Hallways, corridors and means of emergency egress must be free from obstruction and may not be used for storage of equipment or trash.
(e) Bathrooms.
(1) There must be a minimum of one tub or shower for every 15 individual residents and one sink and one toilet for every 10 residents. Separate bathrooms must be provided for males and females in ratios appropriate to the percentage of males and females in the facility census and the number of young male children in families without older male members.
(2) Facilities must provide adequate space and equipment, such as bathtubs, portable tubs and basins, for the bathing and changing of infants and young children.
(3) Facilities must assure that bathing and toilet facilities are accessible and in working order with hot and cold water 24 hours a day.
(4) Curtains, dividers, partitions, private stalls, or other similar devices must be utilized to afford residents privacy when using toilets, showers and tubs. Private areas for changing clothes must be provided adjacent to tubs and showers.
(5) Bathrooms must be cleaned a minimum of twice daily and more often if necessary.
(6) Hot water for bathing and washing must be maintained at a temperature of no less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
(f) Sleeping areas.
Each resident family must have at least an individual room with a door containing a working door lock and with the minimum square footage per family member as required by the applicable State or local regulation or code.
(g) Dining and recreation areas.
(1) Recreation or leisure areas must be provided which are separate from sleeping areas and which have sufficient space and furnishings to serve the needs of the residents.
(2) In facilities serving meals on-site, dining areas must be provided which are separate from sleeping areas and which have sufficient space and furnishings to serve the needs of the residents.
(h) Furnishings and equipment.
(1) The operator shall provide furnishings and equipment, including toys, which support daily activities and are durable, clean, appropriate to function, and do not endanger resident health, safety and welfare.
(2) The operator shall furnish each resident, whether an adult or child, with a clean bed that is a minimum of 30 inches in width. In lieu of two single beds, the operator of a shelters for families may furnish a double bed that is a minimum of 54 inches in width to be shared by couples where appropriate. Each bed shall be substantially constructed, in good repair, and have:
(i) a clean, comfortable and well-constructed mattress, standard in size for the bed;
(ii) a cover sufficient to protect against insect infestation; and
(iii) one clean and comfortable pillow of average bed size for each single bed and two clean and comfortable pillows of average bed size for each double bed.
(3) The operator of a shelter for families shall: furnish each infant resident with a suitable crib compliant with all Federal and State safety standards; provide a Safe Sleep Brochure with crib safety information published by the State Department of Health to each resident family with an infant; and post infant safe sleep signage, also available from the State Department of Health, in each sleeping area in which a crib is placed for an infant resident.
(4) Residents of shelters for families shall be supplied with:
(i) suitable sheets, pillowcases, and blankets;
(ii) towels;
(iii) soap;
(iv) toilet tissue; and
(v) disposable diapers, when requested by resident families in emergency circumstances including, but not limited to, circumstances where a family has no funds to purchase them.
(5) Bed linens, blankets and towels must be:
(i) clean and washable;
(ii) free from rips and tears; and
(iii) available when changes are necessary.
(6) A complete set of bed linens and towels must be provided to each resident at entry and as needed thereafter. Residents may, however, be required by the operator to launder and change linens and towels regularly.
(7) Each family must be supplied with at least one bureau or chest of drawers, or other suitable storage space for clothing.
(8) ll operable windows must be equipped with screens and locks, and all operable windows must have window guards in place. All windows in sleeping areas must have shades or other appropriate window covering to ensure privacy.
(9) Light fixtures must be shaded to prevent glare. All electrical outlets accessible to children must be adequately protected.
(10) Dining areas must be furnished with dining tables and chairs appropriate to the size and function of the facility.
(11) Living rooms, sitting rooms, lounges and recreation areas must be furnished with tables, chairs, lighting fixtures and other equipment appropriate to the size and function of the specific area and of the facility.
(12) Residents of a shelter for families must have access to laundry facilities, either on-site in a clean, dry, well-lighted area, or at a nearby commercial laundromat.
(13) Heating and cooling systems must be maintained in good working order.
(14) Suitable fans should be provided to residents when necessary to maintain a reasonable air circulation.
(15) A telephone or telephones must be available for resident use.
(16) An adequate number of trash receptacles must be available for resident use.
(17) The facility must maintain areas suitable for posting required notices, documents and other written materials in locations visible and accessible to residents, staff and visitors.
(i) Kitchens in living areas.
Kitchens or food service and preparation areas in individual family living units, if any, must be well-lighted and ventilated, and comply with all State and local codes and regulations including, but not limited to, those relating to fire protection, safety, sanitation and health.
(j) Housekeeping.
(1) The operator shall maintain a clean and comfortable environment.
(2) All areas of the facility shall be free of vermin, rodents and trash.
(3) All areas of the facility, including, but not limited to, the floors, walls, windows, doors, ceilings, fixtures, equipment and furnishings shall be clean and free of odors.
(4) Blankets and pillows shall be laundered as often as necessary for cleanliness and freedom from odors.
(5) Adequate, properly maintained supplies and equipment for housekeeping functions shall be provided.
(k) Maintenance.
(1) The operator of each shelter for families shall ensure the continued maintenance of the facility in accordance with the office-approved operational plan.
(2) The building and grounds shall be maintained in a clean, orderly condition and in good repair.
(3) All equipment and furnishings shall be maintained in a clean, orderly condition and in good working order.
(4) Electrical systems, including appliances, cords and switches, shall be maintained in good working order.
(5) Entrances, exits, steps and outside walkways shall be in good repair and kept free from ice, snow and other hazards.
(l) Reporting.
In the event of a heating, water, or electrical failure that is more than four hours in duration, the discovery of an environmental hazard such as lead paint or asbestos, or the discovery of a defect in the physical plant or structure of a facility that may threaten the health and well-being of residents, the operator will immediately notify both the social services district and the office by e-mail or telephone.
18 CRR-NY 900.18
Current through July 31, 2021
End of Document