PURPOSE: This rule explains what is required in a physical structure. It further describes sleeping arrangements and fire and safety requ.irements.

1. (1) General Requirements.

   1. (A) The foster parent(s) shall be so located that they have access to schools, recreational, religious or other community resources.
   2. (B) The home shall be so constructed, arranged and maintained as to provide adequately for the health and safety of all occupants. It shall be of size and space and shall have furnishings and equipment to accomodate comfortably both the foster family and foster children in their care.
   3. (C) The division may require inspection of the home by fire, health, sanitation or safety officials when in the agency’s judgment such expert opinion is needed to assist in making a decision about the safety of the home for the care of foster children.
   4. (D) All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, weapons or other hazardous items shall be stored so as to be inaccessible to the children.
   5. (E) Private water supply shall be safe for human consumption and testing shall be required at the time of licensing.
   6. (F) The interior of the home shall be free from an accumulation of visible dirt and any evidence of vermin and rodent infestations.
   7. (G) Allroomsshallhaveproperlightingand ventilation. Windows and doors shall be screened as needed unless the area is air conditioned.
   8. (H) All interior doors shall be designed to permit the opening of a locked door from the butside in an emergency.
   9. (I) The home shall have space for indoor play and access to outdoor play space. The outdoor play space shall be fenced when in the judgment of the division, nearby street traffic,, railroad tracks, lake, river or other pot&ml hazards suggest the necessity for such protections.

   10. (J) Mobile homes.

       1. 1. There shall be an exit(s) at each end(s)

of the home.

1. 2. The mobile home shall be skirted with

latticed or solid skirting and securely anchored by cable to the ground. (2) Sleeping Arrangements.

1. (A) Foster children shall not be permitted to sleep in any building, apartment or other structure which is separate from the foster family home; nor shall any foster child be permitted to sleep in an unfinished attic, in an unfinished basement or in a hall or any other room which is normally used for other than sleeping arrangements.
2. (B) Foster children under ten (10) years of age shall not be permitted to sleep in finished basement bedrooms or in bedrooms above the second floor of a single family dwelling unless suitable provision has been made for heating, ventilation and humidity control and all exits from these bedrooms have been approved by the division. (C!) At night a responsible adult shall sleep within call of the foster children.
3. (0) Foster children of the opposite sex, who are over six (6) years of age, shall not sleep in the same room.
4. (E) Foster children over two (2) years of age shall not sleep in the bedroom of the foster parents except for special temporary care, such as during a child’s illness.
5. (F) Each bed or crib shall be of a size as to insure comfort of the foster child, shall have suitable springs in good condition, clean and comfortable mattress with waterproof eovering, if needed, and suitable covers adequate to the season.
6. (G) Each foster child under age two (2) shall have a separate bed. Each foster child over age two (2) shall have bed space equivalent to one-half (I/Z) of a full-size bed.
7. (H) Separate and accessible drawer space for personal belongings and closet space for clothing shall be available for each foster child.

1. (3) Fire and Safety Requirements.

   1. (A) In all foster homes the telephone numbers of the fire department, police, doctor and ambulance shall be posted at all times. The house number shall be plainly visible from the street in case of emergency.
   2. (B) The foster family shall have a plan for evacuation in ease oftire. Foster children shall be instructed in the evacuation plan. The plan shall be posted. Fire drills shall be held.
   3. (C) Every room used for sleeping, living or dining purposes shall have at least two (2) meax? of exit. At least one (1) of which shall be a door or stairway providing a means of unobstructed travel to the outside. An operable window will be considered as one (1) means of exit.
   4. (D) No room or space shall be occupied for living or sleeping purposes which is accessible only by a ladder, folding stairs or through a trap door.
   5. (E) In apartment buildings where the foster family residence is second floor or above there shall be an exit stairway.
   6. (F) A smoke detector shall be installed at a location where sleeping areas can be alerted.
   7. (G) A portable ABC fire extinguisher of at least two and one-half (2 l/2) pound capacity shall be located near the kitchen area.
   8. (H) Heating appliances shall not be located in a place which blocks escape in case of malfunctioning which could result in a fire.
   9. (I) Fireplaces, wood stoves, heaters, radiators or floor furnaces shall be protected as required by the fire inspector.

   Auth: section 210.221, RSMo (19861. Original rule filed May l&1978, effective Sept. II, 1978. Amended: Filed June 28, 1983, effective Now. II, 1983.