Section 411.600  Physical Plant

 

a)         General Requirements

 

1)         The facility shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 USC 12101) and with the regulations implementing Title I and Title II of that Act.

 

2)         Occupancy of the facility shall comply with the fire safety rules enforced by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

 

3)         The building housing a secure child care facility shall be approved prior to occupancy and license renewal by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Office of the State Fire Marshal or local agencies authorized by those State agencies to conduct inspections on their behalf. Otherwise, inspection and approval shall be in accordance with the regulations of the proper health and fire authorities.

 

4)         There shall be documentation by a qualified inspector that the interior finishing materials in children's or youths' living, activity and program areas, exits, and common areas are in accordance with building and fire codes.

 

5)         Physical plant design shall facilitate personal contact and interaction between staff and children or youth and promote continuous, unobstructed view, communication, and control.

 

6)         The facility design and its security features, including perimeter fencing, shall be approved by the licensing representative prior to licensure. Perimeter fencing is not required.  However, any fencing or barriers that pose a significant health hazard, such as razor and electric current fencing, are specifically prohibited.

 

7)         A safe and sanitary water supply shall be maintained.  If a private water supply is used instead of a public water supply, the facility shall supply written records of current test results indicating that the water supply is safe for drinking in accordance with the standards specified for non-community water supplies in the Drinking Water Systems Code [77 Ill. Adm. Code 900]. New test results must be provided prior to license renewal.

 

8)         The facility shall have a waste disposal system that is in accordance with local services approved by the appropriate regulatory agency.

 

9)         Renovation or remodeling that will change the use or the structure of a facility shall be approved by the licensing representative and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Failure to do so may result in revocation of the license.

 

10)       The facility shall post written emergency and evacuation procedures.  The facility shall post written translations of such procedures for limited English-speaking or visually impaired children and youth residing in the facility.

 

b)         Residential Housing

 

1)         The facility shall provide at least 40 square feet of unencumbered floor space per sleeping room.

 

2)         Each sleeping room shall have at a minimum:

 

A)        A rigidly constructed bed for each occupant, bolted to the floor, with a flatbed surface for the mattress. Mattresses shall have no inner-springs, shall have a staph-check type of cover, and shall meet the requirements of Section 31-5 of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code, 1991 Edition.

 

B)        Illumination of at least 20-50 footcandles. Light fixtures shall be secure and tamper-proof. There shall be a night light.

 

C)        A secure door with a viewing window that provides for unobstructed continuous visual observation of the entire room and its occupant by direct line of sight or indirect line of sight (e.g., mirrors).

 

D)        A storage space.

 

E)        A desk securely attached to the wall.  Lighting of at least 50-100 footcandles shall be provided at desk level.

 

F)         A secure access-protected exterior window and natural light in the room.

 

G)        Electrical outlets that are Ground Fault Interrupted (GFI).

 

H)        Intercom or other approved communication capabilities.

 

3)         Sleeping rooms shall be located above basement level.

 

4)         In coeducational facilities, separate wings shall be provided for male and female children and youth.

 

5)         Living, activity and program areas to be used by children and youth with disabilities shall be handicapped accessible and shall provide for integration with the general population.

 

c)         Dayrooms

 

1)         Dayrooms with space for varied activities by the children and youth residing in the facility shall be provided. If a dayroom is situated immediately adjacent to the sleeping areas, the dayroom shall be separated from sleeping areas by a floor-to-ceiling wall.

 

2)         Dayrooms shall be:

 

A)        Of a sufficient size to provide a minimum of 35 square feet of unencumbered space per child or youth for the maximum number expected to use the dayroom at one time.

 

B)        Contain fixtures and recreation equipment that are suitable for the security requirements and developmental levels and needs of the group.

 

C)        Provided with bulletin boards to facilitate access to daily posted information.

 

D)        Designed for continuous supervision that may be accomplished through use of surveillance and monitoring equipment.

 

E)        Secured with controlled access and egress. Windows shall be secured and protected from damage.

 

F)         Furnished with sufficient seating and writing surfaces for each child or youth using the dayroom at one time. Furnishings shall be consistent with the security needs of the assigned children and youth and are subject to approval of the Department. Televisions, electronic games, table games, and other recreational features shall be under staff control with secure storage available.

 

G)        Illumination of at least 20-50 footcandles. Light fixtures shall be secure and tamper-proof.

 

d)         Personal Hygiene

 

1)         Children and youth shall be provided adequate access to toilets and lavatories.

 

A)        Access to toilets shall be staff-controlled and locked when not occupied.

 

B)        Lavatory and toilet facilities for children and youth shall consist of 1 toilet and 1 lavatory for every six children and youth.  Facilities shall be separate for boys and girls and shall be located near sleeping quarters.

 

C)        Toilet and lavatory types shall be selected consistent with individual security requirements and are subject to approval by the Department.

 

D)        Staff-activated water shut-off valves shall be provided for all toilets and lavatories accessible by children and youth.

 

E)        Lavatories shall be equipped with hot and cold running water.  Hot water temperatures shall range from 100 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

2)         Children and youth shall have supervised and controlled access to showers with temperature-controlled hot and cold running water.

 

A)        A minimum ratio of 1 shower shall be provided for every 8 children and youth.

 

B)        Hot water temperatures shall range from 100 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

C)        All showers shall have staff-controlled access and be capable of surveillance by staff of the same sex.

 

e)         Lighting

 

1)         Lighting of at least 50-100 footcandles shall be provided at desk level in sleeping rooms and in the personal grooming area.

 

2)         Other lighting requirements for the facility shall be determined by the tasks to be performed.

 

3)         An alternative means of lighting shall be available in the event of an emergency such as a power failure.

 

f)         Temperature Control and Ventilation

 

1)         Heating, cooling, and ventilation systems shall be staff-controlled to ensure healthful and comfortable living and working conditions for children, youth and staff.

 

2)         An alternative means of ventilation shall be available in the event of an emergency such as a power failure.

 

3)         Ventilation systems shall be tamper-proof.

 

4)         The operation of security windows and screens shall be staff-controlled.

 

5)         Temperatures in indoor living and work areas shall be maintained between 68 and 75 degrees.

 

g)         Program and Service Areas

 

1)         All program and service areas shall be capable of being secured with staff-controlled access and egress and shall be capable of continuous visual surveillance, communication, and supervision.

 

2)         The total indoor activity area, which may include gymnasium, multipurpose rooms, library, arts and crafts rooms, and all other leisure areas outside the living unit, shall have an aggregate space equivalent to a minimum of 100 square feet per child or youth.

 

3)         Outdoor exercise areas for children and youth shall be provided.

 

A)        The design of the outdoor recreational area shall provide for emergency access.

 

B)        Selection of recreational equipment and control of potential breaching aids shall be incorporated into the design.

 

4)         Adequate space shall be provided for a children's or youths' visiting room or area.

 

A)        Space shall be provided to permit the screening and searching of children, youth and visitors prior to entry and upon exit.

 

B)        Space shall be provided for the proper storage of visitors' coats, handbags, and other personal items not allowed into the visiting area.

 

C)        The design of the visiting area shall provide for staff-controlled access and egress and continuous visual surveillance and supervision.

 

D)        Private interview space shall be provided for Guardian ad Litem and/or attorney visits or other interviews with children that may require privacy as determined necessary by the child's or youth's caseworker or facility director.

 

5)         Classrooms shall be designed to conform with federal, State, and local educational requirements.

 

A)        Classrooms shall have the capability for staff-controlled access and egress and provide for visual observation into the classroom from corridors.

 

B)        Communication capability from a central control shall be provided.

 

6)         A dining room for group dining shall be provided.

 

A)        There shall be at least 15 square feet of floor space per person expected to use the dining room or dining area at any one time.

 

B)        The dining room shall have staff-controlled access and egress and be designed to provide continuous surveillance and supervision.

 

C)        The dining room shall be capable of being secured from the food preparation area during meals.

 

7)         The food preparation area shall conform to local codes and public health requirements.

 

A)        The area shall have adequate space for food preparation based on population, type of food preparation, and methods of meal service.

 

B)        There shall be adequate storage and loading areas and garbage disposal facilities.

 

C)        All storage areas shall be designed with doors that lock upon closure.

 

D)        All storage doors shall have a view panel for visual observation into the storage areas.

 

E)        The food preparation area shall be capable of being secured from the dining room during meals.

 

h)         Storage Areas

 

1)         Adequate space shall be provided to receive inventory and to store and issue clothing, bedding, cleaning supplies, and other items required for daily operations. Such areas shall be secured by a door that locks upon closing. The facility shall maintain a current master inventory of the contents of all storage areas.

 

2)         Space shall be provided for the safe and secure receipt, processing, inventory, and storage of personal property of children and youth.

 

3)         Separate and adequate space shall be provided for electrical and mechanical equipment. The access doors or panels to these areas shall lock when closed.

 

4)         Adequate secure storage space shall be provided for the personal property of staff during their hours of employment.  Storage space shall be located outside of the children's and youths' living, activity, and program areas.

 

i)          Administrative and Staff Areas

            Adequate space shall be provided for administrative, security, professional, and clerical staff. This shall include a conference room, storage room for records, public lobby, and toilet facilities. All administrative areas shall be capable of being secured by staff. Areas where children and youth routinely have access shall have viewing panels or windows for visual observation from hallways, corridors, or other office areas into the work space.

 

j)          Staff Control Room

            Space shall be provided for a staff control room with capabilities for monitoring and coordinating the facility's security, safety, and communications systems on a 24 hour basis.