Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 290 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Chapter 290-2 - FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES › Subject 290-2-7 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR OUTDOOR CHILD CARING PROGRAMS › Rule 290-2-7-.14 - Buildings, Grounds, and Equipment

Current through Rules and
				Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) Camps shall have access to a minimum of
				10 acres per camper for the first 50 campers with an additional 5 acres per
				camper for each additional camper. Housing sites shall be located so as to
				provide visual separation of the groups.
(2) Housing sites shall not be subject to or
				in proximity to conditions that create or are likely to create offensive odors,
				flies, noise, traffic or any similar hazards.
(3) All camp sites shall be well drained and
				free from depressions in which water may stand. Natural sinkholes, pools,
				swamps or other surface collectors of water within 200 feet of the periphery of
				the camp shall be either drained or filled to remove the still surface water.
				Mosquito breeding shall be prevented in such areas containing water not subject
				to such drainage or filling.
(4)
				Grounds within the housing site shall be free from debris, noxious plants
				(poison ivy, etc.) and uncontrolled weeds or brush.
(5) The housing site shall provide a space
				for recreation reasonably related to the size of the program and the type of
				occupancy.
(6) Water shall be
				supplied from an approved public supply if available; if not available, the
				private system shall comply with Rules and Regulations for Water Supply Quality
				Control of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
(7) The use of a common drinking cup shall
				not be permitted.
(8) No tile or
				concrete sanitary sewers or septic tanks shall be allowed within a distance of
				fifty (50) feet, and no cesspool or septic tank open-jointed drain fields shall
				be allowed within a distance of one-hundred fifty (150) feet of the private
				water supply.
(9) Adequate and safe
				sewerage facilities with flush toilets shall be provided if water supply is
				available. Public sewers, subsurface septic tank-seepage system or other type
				of liquid waste treatment and disposal system shall be provided. Raw or treated
				liquid waste shall not be discharged or allowed to accumulate on the ground
				surface.
(10) Where water supply is
				not available, sanitary type privies or portable toilets shall be provided. All
				such facilities shall be constructed as required by the Department. Privies, if
				provided, shall be maintained so as to prevent access of flies and animals to
				the contents therein, to prevent fly breeding and to prevent contamination of
				water supply.
(11) All facilities
				provided for excreta and liquid waste disposal shall be maintained and operated
				in a sanitary manner to eliminate possible health or pollution
				hazards.
(12) Water closets or
				privy seats for each sex shall be in the ratio of not less than one such unit
				for each fifteen (15) occupants, with a minimum of one (1) unit for each sex in
				common use facilities.
(13)
				Separate toilet accommodations for males and females shall be provided in
				common use areas. Toilets shall be distinctly marked "Male" and
				"Female."
(14) Housing shall be
				structurally sound, in good repair, maintained in a sanitary condition and
				shall provide protection to the occupants against the elements.
(15) Housing shall have flooring constructed
				of rigid materials, smooth finished, readily cleanable and so located as to
				prevent the entrance of ground and surface water.
(16) A balcony, upper story, attic or loft
				shall not be used for sleeping or group assembly.
(17) All outside openings in kitchen and
				dining rooms shall be protected with screening of 16 mesh or less.
(18) All screen doors shall be tight, in good
				repair and equipped with self-closing devices.
(19) All living quarters and service rooms
				shall be provided with properly installed, operable heating equipment capable
				of maintaining a temperature of at least 50° Fahrenheit if during the period of
				normal occupancy the temperature in such quarters falls below 50°
				Fahrenheit.
(20) Any stoves or
				other sources of heat utilizing combustible fuel shall be installed and vented
				in such a manner as to prevent fire hazards and a dangerous concentration of
				gases. No portable heaters other than those operated by electricity shall be
				provided in sleeping areas. If a solid or liquid fuel stove is used in a room
				with wooden or other combustible flooring, there shall be a concrete slab,
				insulated metal sheet or other fire-proof materials on the floor under each
				stove, extending at least eighteen (18) inches beyond the perimeter of the base
				of the stove.
(21) Any wall or
				ceiling within eighteen (18) inches of a solid or liquid fuel stove or a
				stovepipe shall be of fireproof material. A vented metal collar shall be
				installed around a stovepipe or vent passing through a wall, ceiling, floor or
				roof. Such vent or chimney shall extend above the peak of the roof.
(22) When a heating system has automatic
				controls, the controls shall be of the type which cut off the fuel supply upon
				the failure or interruption of the flame or ignition, or whenever a
				predetermined safe temperature or pressure is exceeded. All steam and hot water
				systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged to prevent hazardous
				pressures and excessive temperatures.
(23) All heating equipment shall be
				maintained and operated in a safe manner to eliminate possibilities of
				fire.
(24) Electrical wiring and
				lighting fixtures shall be installed and maintained in a safe
				condition.
(25) Bathing and hand
				washing facilities, supplied with hot and cold water shall be provided for the
				use of all occupants. These facilities shall be clean and sanitary and
				maintained in good repair.
(26)
				There shall be a minimum of one (1) showerhead per fifteen (15) persons.
				Showerheads shall be spaced at least three (3) feet apart, with a minimum of
				nine (9) square feet of floor space per unit. Adequate dry dressing space shall
				be provided in common use facilities. Shower floors shall be constructed of
				non-absorbent, properly constructed floor drains. Separate shower facilities
				shall be provided for each sex. When common use shower facilities for both
				sexes are in the same building, they shall be separated by a solid nonabsorbent
				wall extending from the floor to ceiling or roof, and shall be plainly
				designated "Male" or "Female."
(27)
				If laundry service is not otherwise provided, laundry facilities supplied with
				hot and cold water under pressure shall be provided for the use of all
				occupants.
(28) Bedding provided by
				the Outdoor Child Caring Program shall be clean and sanitary. All bedding shall
				be laundered or otherwise sanitized between assignment to different
				campers.
(29) Linens shall be
				changed as often as required for cleanliness and sanitation, but not less
				frequently than once a week.
(30)
				Bedwetters shall have their linens changed as often as they are wet.
(31) Adequate personal storage area shall be
				available for each child to separate his or her clothing from other children's
				personal belongings.
(32) Boys and
				girls shall not share the same sleeping unit.
(33) A separate bed, bunk or cot shall be
				available for each person. Tripledeck beds are prohibited. Beds shall be spaced
				in a manner which will provide a walk space on at least one side and at least
				one end of each bed.
(34) Food
				service facilities and program shall meet Chapter 290-5-14 Rules and
				Regulations for Food Service, Georgia Department of Human Resources.
(35) Poisonous and toxic materials shall be
				properly identified, stored separately from food and properly used. Poisonous
				polishes shall not be used on eating and cooking utensils.
(36) Persons with wounds or communicable
				diseases shall be prohibited from handling food.
(37) Food handlers shall practice good
				hygienic practices.
(38) Floors,
				walls and ceilings shall be kept clean and in good repair.
(39) Adequate lighting shall be provided and
				shall be properly protected from breakage.
(40) The kitchen area and cooking equipment
				shall be properly vented.
(41) Pets
				shall not be allowed in the food storage, preparation or dining area.
(42) Durable, clean containers of adequate
				size and tight fitting lids shall be conveniently located to each housing unit
				for storage of garbage and other refuse.
(43) Provisions shall be made for collection
				of refuse at least once a week, or more often if necessary. The disposal of
				refuse, which includes garbage, shall be in accordance with requirements of
				Chapter 290-5-14 Rules and Regulations for Food Service, Georgia Department of
				Human Resources.
(44) Storage
				facilities and areas shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
(45) A vector control program shall be
				maintained to insure effective control of all insects and rodents in buildings
				and on the premises.
(46) If
				chemical control is needed to supplement good sanitation practices, proper
				pesticides shall be used in strict accordance with label
				instructions.
(47) Swimming pools
				shall be constructed in accordance with Department design standards and all
				pools shall be maintained and operated as required by local regulations and
				standards of the Department. Other swimming areas (lake, creeks, etc.) shall be
				kept clean of hazardous trash and debris.
(48) Documentation of current and approved
				fire, health, and safety inspections shall be kept on file at the Outdoor Child
				Caring Program. Copies of the inspection reports shall be submitted to the
				Department when the signed application for licensure is submitted and annually
				thereafter.
(49) Fire drills shall
				be held at least 8 times a year. Written records of the drills shall be
				maintained.
(50) There shall be a
				disaster preparedness plan for staff and residents to follow for meeting
				disasters and emergencies such as fires or severe weather. The plan shall
				include procedures and action to be taken in case of adverse weather conditions
				such as extremely low temperatures, storms, tornadoes, etc. All staff members
				shall know the procedures and action to be taken for meeting disasters and
				emergencies.
(51) Horses and other
				animals maintained in any camp shall be quartered at a reasonable distance from
				any sleeping, living, eating or food preparation area.
(a) Stables and corrals shall be located as
				to prevent contamination of any water supply. Manure shall be removed from
				stalls and corrals as often as necessary to control flies.
(b) Horses, dogs or other domestic animals or
				pets shall not be permitted on a bathing beach or in water in the area used for
				waterfront activities.