New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 14 - DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HYGIENE › Chapter XIII - Office of Mental Health › Part 589 - Operation Of Crisis Residence › Section 589.13 - Premises

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) The crisis
				residence shall be safe and suitable for the comfort and care of the recipients
				therein. The residence shall be maintained in a good state of repair and
				sanitation.
(b) Safety
				requirements.
The crisis residence shall meet the following
				  requirements:
(1) A sufficient number
				of fire extinguishers, approved by the Underwriters Laboratories, or other
				nationally recognized testing laboratory in the United States, shall be
				installed in accessible places on each floor and in high-hazard areas. Fire
				extinguishers shall be tested and recharged in accordance with manufacturers'
				recommendations.
(2) Employees
				shall be trained in the use of firefighting equipment, and in the means of
				rapidly evacuating the building. Fire exit drills shall be held at least once
				per month and at varied times during the 24 hours. A written record of each
				drill shall be kept on file for a period of one year.
(3) All of the following fire hazards are
				prohibited:
(i) the use of kerosene for
				cooking or lighting;
(ii) rubber
				tubing used as connections for gas burners;
(iii) the accumulation of combustible
				material in attics, basements or other parts of the residence; and
(iv) unsafe storage of paints, varnishes,
				oils, and other combustible liquids.
(4) Each crisis residence shall have a
				smoke-detection system which meets the requirements of the most recent
				recognized edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 Life
				Safety Code, applicable to noncoded systems, and the following:
(i) A smoke-detection unit shall be located
				in each stairway at each floor, in each bedroom, in each 1,000 square feet of
				unoccupied attic and basement space, in each high hazard area, and in each 40
				feet or part thereof of corridor length.
(ii) Location of smoke-detection units shall
				be subject to Office of Mental Health approval.
(iii) The smoke-detection system or each
				independently operating unit shall be tested at least once each three-month
				period, and batteries in battery-operated units shall be replaced as
				necessary.
(iv) A complete system
				or individual units may be required depending on the construction, layout,
				occupancy and/or other factors associated with the building. Prior to the
				opening of a crisis residence, and the issuance of an operating certificate, a
				fire safety plan must be submitted to and approved by the Office of Mental
				Health.
(5) Each crisis
				residence shall provide carbon monoxide detectors, in accordance with the most
				recent edition of the Residential Code of New York State and the Fire Code of
				New York State, as applicable.
(i) Carbon
				monoxide detectors shall be installed in locations as required by applicable
				law and according to manufacturer's directions and specifications.
(ii) Carbon monoxide detectors shall be
				battery operated, plug-in type or hardwired, in accordance with applicable
				law.
(iii) Inspections and tests of
				carbon monoxide detectors shall be made in accordance with manufacturer's
				directions and specifications. Written documentation of such testing will be
				maintained for review.
(6) Residences must possess a valid
				certificate of occupancy or other documentation, which, has been determined by
				the Office of Mental Health to be the equivalent of a certificate of
				occupancy.
(7) Electric space
				heaters are allowed only with the explicit approval of the Office of Mental
				Health and with a description of the device in detail, including its safety
				features, potential hazards and proposed procedures for maintenance and
				operation.