10A NCAC 13F .0311       OTHER REQUIREMENTS

(a)  The building and all fire safety, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing equipment in an adult care home shall be maintained in a safe and operating condition.

(b)  The following shall apply to heaters and cooking appliances:

(1)           built-in electric heaters, if used, shall be installed or protected so as to avoid burn hazards to residents and room furnishings;

(2)           unvented fuel burning room heaters and portable electric heaters are prohibited;

(3)           fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and wood stoves shall be designed and installed so as to avoid a burn hazard to residents. Fireplace inserts and wood stoves shall be U.L. listed;

(4)           the power supply for ovens, ranges, microwaves, cook tops, and other domestic cooking appliances located in resident activity or recreational areas shall have a locking feature provided that shall be controlled by staff. These appliances shall not be used except under facility staff supervision;

(5)           the power supply for ovens, ranges, microwaves, cook tops, and other domestic cooking appliances located in resident rooms shall have a locking feature provided that shall be controlled by staff. Each resident shall be assessed by the administrator or their designee to determine the resident's capability to operate the appliances in a safe manner, and the degree of staff supervision necessary to ensure safe operation of the appliances.

(c)  The facility shall have heating and cooling systems such that environmental temperature controls shall be capable of maintaining temperatures in the facility at 75 degrees F minimum in the heating season, and not exceed 80 degrees F during the non-heating season.

(d)  The hot water system shall supply hot water to the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, housekeeping closets, and soiled utility room. The hot water temperature at all fixtures used by residents shall be maintained at a minimum of 100 degrees F and shall not exceed 116 degrees F. Notwithstanding the requirements of Rule .0301 of this Section, the requirements of this Paragraph shall apply to new and existing facilities.

(e)  Multi-story facilities shall be equipped with elevators.

(f)  In addition to the required emergency lighting, minimum lighting shall be as follows:

(1)           30 foot-candle power for reading; and

(2)           10 foot-candle power for general lighting.

(g)  The spaces listed in this Paragraph shall have an exhaust system per the North Carolina State Building Code. Exhaust vents shall be vented directly to the outdoors:

(1)           soiled linen storage;

(2)           soiled utility room;

(3)           bathrooms and toilet rooms;

(4)           housekeeping closets; and

(5)           laundry area.

(h)  In facilities licensed for 7 to 12 residents, there shall be an electrically operated call system meeting the following requirements:

(1)           the call system shall connect residents' bedrooms and bathrooms to the live-in staff bedroom. Where there are no live-in staff for the facility, the call system shall connect residents' bedrooms and bathrooms to a location accessible to staff;

(2)           residents' bedrooms shall have a resident call system activator at the resident's bed;

(3)           the resident call system activator shall be within reach of a resident lying on the bed;

(4)           the resident call system activator shall be such that it can be activated with a single action and remain on until deactivated by staff at point of origin; and

(5)           when activated, the call system shall activate an audible and visual signal in the live-in staff bedroom, in a location accessible to staff, or register with the floor staff.

(i)  In licensed facilities without live-in staff, there shall be an electrically operated call system meeting the following requirements:

(1)           the call system shall connect residents' bedrooms and bathrooms to a location accessible to staff;

(2)           residents' bedrooms shall have a resident call system activator at the resident's bed;

(3)           the resident call system activator shall be within reach of a resident lying on the bed;

(4)           the resident call system activator shall be such that it can be activated with a single action and remain on until deactivated by staff at point of origin; and

(5)           when activated, the call system shall activate an audible and visual signal in a location accessible to staff.

(j)  Except where otherwise specified, existing facilities housing persons unable to evacuate without staff assistance shall provide those residents with hand bells or other signaling devices.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131D-2.16; 143B-165;

Eff. January 1, 1977;

Readopted Eff. October 31, 1977;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1990; April 1, 1987; April 1, 1984;

Temporary Amendment Eff. December 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2000;

Recodified from 10A NCAC 13F .0309 Eff. July 1, 2004;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 2004;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2005;

Readopted Eff. April 1, 2025.