Section 410IAC16.2-6-6. Physical plant standards

   (a) Housing space shall be provided as follows:

(1) At least eighty (80) square feet of floor space shall be provided for each adult-size bed or adult-size crib in sleeping rooms.

(2) At least fifty (50) square feet of floor space shall be provided for each child-size crib in sleeping rooms.

(3) There shall be a minimum of three (3) feet between heads, sides, or feet of beds or cribs.

(4) No more than eight (8) children shall sleep in one (1) bedroom. In facilities or additions to facilities for which plans are submitted for approval after July 1, 1984, no more than four (4) children shall sleep in one (1) bedroom.

(5) Separate bedrooms shall be provided for children of each sex over the age of six (6) years (except where the physician indicates otherwise).

(6) Size and type of beds, bedside cabinets, tables, and chairs shall be appropriate to the age, size, and needs of the children. Double-deck beds, trundle beds, rollaway beds, or cots shall not be used.

(7) There shall be a minimum of one (1) lavatory and one (1) toilet for each eight (8) children, or fraction thereof, and one (1) bathtub, shower, or bathing sink for each twelve (12) children. The fixtures shall be of proper design and installed so as to satisfactorily serve the types of children who will be using them.

(8) There shall be a minimum of one (1) complete bathroom on each floor occupied by children.

(9) Separate toilet rooms shall be provided for boys and girls over six (6) years of age. Partitions between toilet stools shall be provided. Nursery seats and steps shall be provided for use by small children if junior toilets are not available.

(10) Toilet facilities shall be provided for the staff and shall be separate from those provided for the children.

  (b) Play or exercise area shall be provided as follows:

(1) An indoor play and exercise area shall be provided for all children over the age of one (1) year. This area shall be separate from the bedrooms and shall provide floor space sufficient to allow a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet per licensed bed.

(2) An adequate outdoor play or exercise area shall be provided. The area shall be fenced, adequately equipped, and supervised at all times when children are present.

(3) Washable toys and other developmental and training equipment meeting sanitary and safe design standards shall be provided for both indoor and outdoor play or exercise areas.

(4) All play equipment shall be maintained in a constant state of good repair.

(5) Playpens shall be provided for children as required.

(6) A storage area shall be provided for all movable play equipment.

  (c) Appropriate and safe padding of cribs, beds, playpens, and other equipment shall be provided as needed to prevent injury.

  (d) At least one (1) room shall be available for isolation of a child suspected or diagnosed as having a communicable disease.

  (e) A visitors' room shall be provided for visitors and group and parent counseling. Visiting shall be encouraged at any reasonable time.

  (f) For purposes of IC 16-28-5-1, a breach of:

(1) subsection (c) is a deficiency;

(2) subsection (b) is a noncompliance; and

(3) subsection (a), (d), or (e) is a nonconformance.

(Indiana State Department of Health; 410 IAC 16.2-6-6; filed May 2, 1984, 2:50 p.m.: 7 IR 1500; filed Jan 10, 1997, 4:00 p.m.: 20 IR 1586, eff Apr 1, 1997; readopted filed Jul 11, 2001, 2:23 p.m.: 24 IR 4234; readopted filed May 22, 2007, 1:44 p.m.: 20070613-IR-410070141RFA; readopted filed Sep 11, 2013, 3:19 p.m.: 20131009-IR-410130346RFA)