Ohio Administrative Code › Title 5139 - Department of Youth Services › Chapter 5139-37 - Detention Centers › Section 5139-37-10 - Safety and emergency procedures

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A) The following standards are mandatory:
(1) The detention center shall have exits
			 that are clearly, distinctly, and permanently marked in order to ensure the
			 timely evacuation of children, staff and visitors in the event of fire or other
			 emergency. Posted exits signs and emergency equipment shall comply with the
			 recommendations of the local fire authority.
(2) The detention center conforms to
			 applicable federal, state and local fire, health and building codes. A fire
			 alarm and automatic detection system is required. The authority having
			 jurisdiction annually documents compliance.
(3) Written fire prevention procedures
			 specify practices to ensure the safety of staff, child and visitors. These
			 procedures shall include but will not be limited to:
(a) Provisions for adequate fire protection
			 services.
(b) Inspection by local
			 and/or state fire officials annually or as scheduled by state fire
			 marshal.
(4) The
			 detention center complies with applicable federal, state and local sanitation,
			 safety and health codes and is inspected at least annually for compliance.
			 Written reports of inspections by state or local authorities should be kept on
			 file as assurance of continuing compliance with these codes.
(5) In accordance with section
			 3794.02 of the Revised Code,
			 smoking will not be permitted inside any detention center, and will only be
			 permitted in designated areas outside of the detention center. These designated
			 areas must comply with section
			 3794.02 of the Revised Code.
			 Noncombustible receptacles for smoking materials and separate containers for
			 other combustible refuse are utilized at the outside smoking locations.
The detention center is equipped with noncombustible
				receptacles for combustible refuse at readily accessible locations in the
				living quarters and other locations throughout the detention center. Special
				containers are provided for flammable liquids and for rags used with flammable
				liquids. All receptacles and containers are emptied and cleaned
				regularly.
(6) Written
			 policy and procedure provide for a qualified fire and safety officer to perform
			 a comprehensive and thorough annual inspection of the detention center for
			 compliance with safety and fire prevention standards and for annual review of
			 this policy and procedure. There is a monthly fire and safety inspection of the
			 detention center by a qualified supervisor or other qualified staff member who
			 are familiar with safety and sanitation requirements of the jurisdiction. There
			 are monthly evacuation drills.
(7)
			 Written policy and procedure specify the detention center's fire prevention
			 regulations and practices to ensure the safety of staff, children and visitors.
			 These include, but are not limited to: provisions for an adequate fire
			 protection service, a system of fire inspection and testing of equipment at
			 least annually, an annual inspection by local or state fire officials or other
			 qualified person(s), and availability of fire hoses or extinguishers at
			 appropriate locations throughout the detention center.
(8) The detention center has a written
			 evacuation plan prepared in the event of fire or major emergency that is
			 certified by an independent, outside inspector trained in the application of
			 appropriate codes. These plans are reviewed, signed,
			 and updated at least annually or as needed. They are made available to all
			 applicable personnel.
									 The plan includes the location of
			 building/room floor plans, use of exit signs and directional arrows for traffic
			 flow, location of publicly posted plan, monthly drills in all occupied
			 locations of the detention center, and staff drills when evacuation of
			 dangerous residents may not be included.
(9) Written policy and procedure specify the
			 means for the prompt release of children from locked areas in case of
			 emergency, and provide for a secondary release system.
(10) All detention center personnel are
			 trained in the implementation of written emergency plans.
(11) Written policy and procedure govern the
			 control and use of all flammable, toxic and caustic materials. All flammable,
			 toxic, caustic materials should be stored in secure areas that are inaccessible
			 to children and a prescribed system should be used to account for their
			 distribution. Children should never possess such items unless under the close
			 supervision of staff.
(12) The
			 detention center has a fire alarm system and an automatic detection system that
			 is approved by the authority having jurisdiction. All system elements are
			 tested on a quarterly basis, unless approved by the authority having
			 jurisdiction. The adequacy and operation of the system are approved by the
			 state fire official or other authority annually.
(13) Within ninety days after the effective
			 date of this rule, specifications for the selection and approval of new
			 furnishings indicate the fire safety performance requirements of the materials
			 selected. Such materials are subject to careful fire safety evaluation before
			 purchase or use. Neoprene or cotton mattresses treated with boric acid are
			 recommended. Foamed plastics or foamed rubber such as polyurethane, polystyrene
			 are not to be used in any living area.
(14) The detention center has available to it
			 the services of a qualified fire and safety officer who reviews all policies
			 and procedures related to safety and fire prevention.