Section 5-A124. HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS FOR A FACILITY'S PREMISES: INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

 

124.1 A Licensee shall ensure that interior space designated for the use of children is available to children when the center is in operation and is arranged to allow each child adequate space for free movement and active play.

 

124.2 A Licensee shall ensure that the temperature within each room of program space shall be maintained at between sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68°F) and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75°F) from October through March, and between sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68°F) and eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit (82°F) from April through September. 

 

124.3 Protrusions such as pipes, wood ends, or long bolts that may catch a child’s clothing are prohibited.

 

124.4 Carpeting in the facility shall be nonflammable, nontoxic, and maintained by the Licensee in clean condition and good repair.

 

124.5 A Licensee shall maintain floors that are free from bare concrete, dampness, splinters, and sliding rugs.

 

124.6 A Licensee shall ensure that all floors, walls, and ceilings are in good repair and easy to clean when soiled.  Only smooth, nonporous surfaces shall be permitted in areas that are likely to be contaminated by body fluids including, without limitation, lavatories and toilets, and areas used for food preparation or consumption or diaper changing.

 

124.7 A Licensee shall ensure that shoes are removed or covered prior to entering play areas used by infants. 

 

124.8 A Licensee shall install finger-pinch protection devices on doors, cupboards, cabinets, and gates that are accessible to children, except on doors, cupboards, cabinets, and gates that are fully closed and locked.

 

124.9 A Licensee shall ensure that strings and cords long enough to encircle a child's neck are not accessible to children.

 

124.10 A Licensee shall ensure that electrical outlets that are not in use and are accessible to children are fitted with appropriate child-proof protective outlet covers that meet the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. standard for Safety of Receptacle Closures (UL 2255).

 

124.11 A Licensee shall install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in areas accessible to children where electrical products may come into contact with water.

 

 

authority

The State Superintendent of Education (“State Superintendent”), pursuant to authority set forth in Sections 3(b)(6A), 3(b)(9), 3(b)(9A), 3(b)(11) of the State Education Office Establishment Act of 2000, effective October 21, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-176; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-2602(b)(6A), (b)(9), (b)(9A), and (b)(11)) (2012 Repl. & 2016 Supp.)); the Day Care Policy Act of 1979, effective September 19, 1979 (D.C. Law 3-16; D.C. Official Code §§ 4-401 et seq. (2012 Repl. & 2016 Supp.)) (“Day Care Act”); Mayor’s Order 2009-3, dated January 15, 2009; the Child Development Facilities Regulation Act of 1998, effective April 13, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-215; D.C. Official Code §§ 7-2031 et seq. (2012 Repl.)) (“Facilities Act”); Mayor’s Order 2009-130, dated July 16, 2009; Sections 503 and 504 of the Early Intervention Program Establishment Act of 2004, effective April 13, 2005 (D.C. Law 15-353; D.C. Official Code §§ 7-863.03 and 7-863.04 (2012 Repl.)); Mayor’s Order 2009-167, dated September 28, 2009; Titles I and II of the Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Amendment Act of 2004 (“CYSHA”), effective April 13, 2005 (D.C. Law 15-353; D.C. Official Code §§ 1-620.31 et seq. and §§ 4-1501.01 et seq. (2012 Repl. & 2016 Supp.)); and the Healthy Tots Act of 2014, effective February 26, 2015 (D.C. Law 20-155; D.C. Official Code §§ 38-281 et seq. (2016 Supp.)); and pursuant to the Social Security Act, approved February 22, 2012 (Pub.L. 112-96; 42 U.S.C. § 618(c)); the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 (“CCDBG Act”), approved November 19, 2014 (Pub.L. 113-186; 42 U.S.C. §§ 9858 et seq.).

source

Final Rulemaking at 63 DCR 14640 (December 2, 2016).