Section 388-61A-0630. What are the additional standards for safe homes?

Safe homes must meet the following additional standards in order for a domestic violence agency to contract with us:

(1) A prospective safe home must complete a written application to a domestic violence agency. The domestic violence agency must approve the application and provide training to the safe home staff before the home may receive clients.

(2) The domestic violence agency must maintain a written record of all safe homes. The record must include:

(a) The name and address of the person operating the safe home or an identification code for the safe home.

(b) A written safe home application.

(c) Documentation that the safe home complies with the general facility and additional standards for safe homes.

(d) Verification that safe home staff received initial basic training as outlined in this WAC by the domestic violence agency.

(3) You must have at least one telephone at the safe home for incoming and outgoing calls. You must provide the following information to clients residing in a safe home:

(a) Emergency telephone numbers.

(b) Instructions on how clients can access domestic violence agency staff.

(4) When clients are residing in a safe home at least one domestic violence agency staff member must be on-call to go to the safe home twenty-four hours a day, three hundred sixty-five days a year.

(5) Safe homes must comply with the following general fire safety requirements:

(a) Every room used by children in the safe home must have easy entry and exit, including one of these features:

(i) Two separate doors.

(ii) One door leading directly to the outside, or a window that opens to the outside and is large enough for emergency escape or rescue.

(b) Every occupied area must have access to at least one exit that does not pass through rooms or spaces that can be locked or blocked from the opposite side.

(c) No space may be lived in by a client that is accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs, or a trap door.

(d) Every bathroom door used by clients must be designed to permit the opening of the locked door from the outside.

(e) Every closet door latch must be designed to be opened from the inside.

(f) Escape and exit routes must be kept clear and must not be blocked by appliances, furniture, or other heavy objects.

(g) Flammable, combustible, or poisonous material must be stored away from exits and away from areas that are accessible to children.

(h) Open-flame devices and fireplaces, heating and cooking appliances, and products capable of igniting clothing must not be left unattended or used incorrectly.

(i) Fireplaces, wood stoves and other heating systems that have a surface hot enough to cause harm must have gates or protectors around them when in use.

(j) Multilevel dwellings must have a means of escape from an upper floor. If a fire ladder is needed to escape from an upper story window, it must be stored in a location that is easily accessible to the clients who may need it.

(k) You must place a smoke detector in good working condition in each bedroom or in areas close to where children sleep, such as a hallway. If the smoke detector is mounted on the wall, it must be twelve inches from the ceiling and a corner.

(l) If questions arise concerning fire danger, the local fire protection authority must be consulted.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 10-22-040, § 388-61A-0630, filed 10/27/10, effective 11/27/10.]

Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 10-22-040, § 388-61A-0630, filed 10/27/10, effective 11/27/10.