Alabama Administrative Code › Title 580 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH › Chapter 580-3-22 - MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PHYSICAL FACILITIES › Section 580-3-22-.13 - Apartment And Individual Dwelling Units

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) The Department of Mental Health and
			 Mental Retardation is continually working to de-stigmatize the public
			 perception of those with disabilities. It is the mission of the Department of
			 Mental Health and Mental Retardation to assist persons with mental illnesses,
			 intellectual disabilities or substance use disorders to live in their
			 communities without restrictions; therefore, the Office of Life Safety and
			 Technical Services will not conduct life safety reviews in apartments or
			 dwelling units leased or sub-leased by individuals for use as their
			 homes.
(2) These minimum standards
			 are for Mental Illness, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Apartment
			 dwelling units containing three or less residents. In addition to these minimum
			 standards, the most current edition of the NFPA 101,
Life Safety Code,
			 One and Two Family Dwellings Chapter,
International Building Code and
			 National Electrical Code shall also apply. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Chapter
			 24.3.5 shall not apply because the International Residential Code Council has
			 voted not to include sprinkler requirements for One and Two Family
			 Dwellings.
(3) The facility cannot
			 be occupied until the Commissioner issues a Temporary Operating Authority (TOA)
			 granting temporary operating authority or certification based on compliance
			 with the DMH/MR minimum standards. The above referenced type facility shall be
			 classified by DMH/MR Minimum Physical Facility Standards as an Apartment
			 Dwelling Unit.
(a)
FIRE SAFETY
			 EQUIPMENT
1. Electric smoke detectors
			 shall be installed and connected to the electrical system (recommend battery
			 backup) and must be connected in series so when one detector sounds all
			 detectors will sound.
2. Smoke
			 detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
(i) In other than existing dwellings (new
			 construction), in all sleeping rooms;
(ii) In existing dwellings, outside of each
			 separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms;
			 and
(iii) On each level of the
			 dwelling unit including basements.
3. Smoke detectors shall be mounted on
			 ceilings where possible and only allowed on walls when impossible for ceiling
			 mounting.
4. Detectors on walls
			 shall be mounted with top of detector not less than 4 inches nor more than 12
			 inches from the ceiling.
5. Smoke
			 detectors shall not be located under or within 3 feet of ceiling fan blades or
			 air supply diffusers or returns.
6.
			 Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed, inspected, and maintained in
			 accordance with NFPA 10,
Standard for Portable Fire
			 Extinguishers.
(i) A minimum of (1)
			 10 lb ABC in hallway and (1) 5 lb ABC fire extinguisher in kitchen shall be
			 provided.
(ii) Size of fire
			 extinguisher refers to Charge Weight.
(iii) Mount top of fire extinguisher 5 feet
			 above floor.
(iv) A service tag
			 shall be provided from a certified fire equipment service company for each fire
			 extinguisher.
(v) Fire
			 extinguishers must be visually checked, dated and initialed on rear of service
			 tag each month by the facility operator.
7. Battery pack emergency lighting shall be
			 installed in hallways or other locations as required for illuminating the paths
			 of travel from areas of the facility to designated exits.
(i) Emergency lighting functional testing
			 shall be conducted by the facility operator monthly for a period of not less
			 than 30 seconds and annually for not less than 90 minutes.
(ii) The emergency equipment must remain
			 fully operational for the duration of the test.
(iii) Written records of visual inspections
			 and tests shall be kept by the facility operator for review by
			 DMH/MR.