(1)
Approval of building
plans. All new construction or major remodeling plans shall be
approved prior to commencement of construction by the state fire
marshal.
(2)
Compliance
with fire marshal rules. No
facility shall be occupied by a
detainee
unless the state fire marshal or qualified local fire prevention authority has
issued a certificate of inspection within the last 18 calendar months
documenting that the
facility complies with the fire safety standards for
temporary holding facilities included in administrative rules promulgated by
the state fire marshal.
Temporary holding facilities may be inspected by the fire
marshal, or by personnel of local fire departments deemed by the fire marshal
qualified to conduct inspections, on a schedule determined by the fire marshal.
The state jail inspection unit of the Iowa department of corrections, a
temporary holding facility administrator, or the chief executive of an agency
which administers a temporary holding facility may request the state fire
marshal to inspect a temporary holding facility for compliance with fire safety
standards. If the state fire marshal finds, based on such an inspection, that a
temporary holding facility is not in substantial compliance with fire safety
standards, the state fire marshal may require the facility administrator to
submit a plan of correction of violations of these standards to the fire
marshal. The director of the Iowa department of corrections may initiate
proceedings to close the temporary holding facility if the facility does not
comply with the plan of correction.
(3)
Evacuation plan. The
administrator of each facility shall prepare a written plan for emergency
evacuation of the facility in the event of fire or other disaster. This plan
shall include security arrangements and one or more alternate housing
arrangements for displaced detainees. All personnel employed in the facility
shall be thoroughly familiar with this plan, and relevant portions thereof
shall be conspicuously posted. Evacuation drills shall be practiced or
simulated by all facility staff on at least an annual basis, and a record
thereof shall be maintained according to subrule 51.19(9), Iowa Administrative
Code.
(4)
Release of
detainees.
a. There shall be a
reasonable expectation of the prompt removal of detainees in the event of a
life-threatening situation. Keys for all locks necessary for emergency exit
shall be readily accessible and clearly identifiable with cell and door
locks.
b. There shall be at least
one full set of facility keys, other than those regularly used, stored in a
safe place accessible only to appropriate persons, for use in the event of an
emergency.
(5)
Fire extinguishers. All temporary holding facilities shall be
equipped with fire extinguishing equipment approved and located in accordance
with standards established by the state fire marshal by administrative rule.
Fire extinguishers shall be tested at least annually to ensure they remain in
operative condition. A record of such checks shall be maintained.
(6)
Emergency lighting. All
exits shall be equipped with independent emergency lighting sources. All
corridors and passage aisles shall be illuminated by independent emergency
lighting sources. Lighting shall be arranged to ensure that no area will be
left in darkness.
(7)
Required exits. Where exits are not immediately accessible
from an open floor area, safe and continuous passage aisles or corridors
leading directly to every exit shall be maintained and shall be so arranged as
to provide access for each detainee to at least two separate and distinct exits
from each floor. Passage aisles or corridors shall be kept clear. A locked exit
may be classified as an emergency exit only if necessary keys to locked doors
are readily available. Elevators shall not be counted as required
exits.
(8)
Fire
alarms. A means of fire detection utilizing equipment of a type
meeting requirements established by the state fire marshal shall be installed
and maintained in operational condition. These alarms shall be ceiling-mounted
if possible and shall be located and protected from detainee access. The
detection equipment shall be battery-operated or constructed as to continue
operating during a power failure. Battery-operated systems shall be tested
monthly. Electronic systems shall be tested at least annually. A record of test
dates and results shall be maintained according to subrule 51.19(9), Iowa
Administrative Code.
(9)
Heating appliances. Heating appliances and water heaters shall
not be located along the path of required exits.
(10)Hinged doors. All hinged
doors serving as required exits from an area designed for an occupancy in
excess of 50 persons, or as part of a major remodeling project or as part of
new construction, shall swing with exit traffic.
(11)Mattresses. Only
fire-resistant mattresses of a type that will not sustain a flame and are
certified by an independent testing laboratory and that meet the standards
established by the state fire marshal shall be used in temporary holding
facilities. Mattresses that are ripped, are excessively cracked or contain
large holes shall be replaced. Pillows shall be replaced when torn or
excessively cracked.
(12)Sprinkler. If installed,
sprinkler heads accessible to detainees not under direct supervision must be of
the weight-sensitive type, be protected with a sleeve that would hamper the
tying of material on the sprinkler head, or be recessed into the wall or
ceiling.
