Alabama Administrative Code › Title 420 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF HEALTH › Chapter 420-5-20 - SPECIALTY CARE ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES › Section 420-5-20-.12 - Physical Environment

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1)
Buildings and Grounds.
(a) The
			 specialty care assisted living facility including site and grounds must be
			 constructed, arranged, and maintained to ensure the safety of the residents and
			 building occupants.
(b) Building
			 Classification.
1. Group specialty care
			 assisted living facilities shall be planned to serve the residents to be
			 admitted and shall comply with Section (1), (2), (3), (5), (6), and (8) of AAC
			 Rule 420-5-20.12.
2. Congregate
			 specialty care assisted living facilities shall be planned to serve the
			 residents to be admitted and shall comply with Sections (1), (2), (3), (7), and
			 (8) of AAC Rule
			 420-5-20-.12.
3. Renovation within the exterior walls of a
			 specialty care assisted living facility shall in no case be of such nature as
			 to lower the character of the structure below the applicable building
			 requirements for the classification of license held by the specialty care
			 assisted living facility.
4. Dually
			 licensed facilities.
(i) For the purposes of
			 meeting physical facility and building code requirements, a building housing
			 both a regular assisted living facility and a specialty care assisted living
			 facility shall be classified as a Group or Congregate facility in accordance
			 with the combined licensed bed capacities of both facilities. For the purposes
			 of meeting resident care and administrative requirements, the specialty care
			 assisted living facility and the regular assisted living facility shall be
			 separately considered, and each shall be classified as a Congregate facility or
			 a Group facility in accordance with the licensed bed capacity of each, and the
			 determination shall not be based on their combined bed capacity.
(ii) When a facility has a portion of a
			 building licensed for specialty care residents, instead of the entire facility,
			 the sleeping, bathing, dining, and activity areas shall be in a distinct and
			 separate unit within the building, licensed for specialty care assisted living.
			 Administrative, kitchen, and service areas may be shared between the two
			 licensed portions.
(c) Location. Each specialty care assisted
			 living facility established or constructed shall be located so that it is free
			 from undue noises, smoke, dust, or foul odors. New assisted living facilities
			 shall be located at least 1,000 feet from railroads, freight yards, or disposal
			 plants. This distance can be reduced to 500 feet when facility is separated by
			 a boarded fence at least 6 feet high. This rule shall not prevent enlargement
			 or expansion of existing assisted living facilities.
(d) Local Restrictions. The location and
			 construction of a specialty care assisted living facility shall comply with
			 local zoning, building, and fire ordinances. Evidence to this effect, signed by
			 local fire, building, or zoning officials, may be required as a condition of
			 licensure. If a facility is to be located in an area that does not have any
			 zoning, building, or fire authority review, a letter stating such shall be
			 obtained from the local county commission through official board action or from
			 the office of the probate judge.
(e) Specialty Care assisted living facilities
			 shall be located on publicly maintained streets or roads, and connected with
			 driveways which shall be kept passable at all times.
(f) Occupancy. No part of a specialty care
			 assisted living facility may be rented, leased, or used for any commercial
			 purpose not reasonably necessary for the residents of the facility. Only
			 residents of the facility shall be permitted to utilize these services. The
			 Department shall approve all plans for occupancy.
(g) Basements. The basement shall be
			 considered as a story if it meets criteria established by the codes for a
			 story.
(h) The specialty care
			 assisted living facility must maintain adequate furnishings, fixtures,
			 supplies, and equipment for its services.
(i) Facilities, supplies, and equipment must
			 be maintained in safe operating condition.
(j) There must be proper ventilation, light,
			 and temperature controls in pharmaceutical, food preparation, and other
			 appropriate areas.