N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 9, § 182-2.10 – Physical plant requirements for residential facilities.

(1) The design and furnishings of the residence shall promote a noninstitutional, homelike environment.
(2) A telephone shall be made available for use by youth during reasonable hours, and access to such telephone shall be monitored by program staff to ensure that all youth have equal opportunity to make and receive telephone calls.
(3) Group and supported residences may be located in the same building or on the same grounds as runaway and homeless youth shelters, defined in Subpart 182-1 of this Part. Such programs, however, must be physically separated and the following conditions must exist:
1. (i) separate direct care staff shall be provided for each program;
2. (ii) sleeping, dining, program and recreation areas shall be separately provided and maintained; and
3. (iii) sites shall be individually certified, including those operated by the same agency.
(4) The buildings and grounds of each residential facility shall be kept in a sanitary and safe condition, to facilitate the physical and mental well-being and comfort of youth.
(5) The building which houses the residential facility shall be in compliance with all applicable building, fire and health codes, and all relevant provisions of state and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
(6) All rooms shall be lighted and ventilated.
(7) Unobstructed access to exits shall be maintained at all times.
(b) Bedrooms.
(1) Only youth of the same gender shall occupy the same bedroom.
(2) Sleeping space for each youth shall consist of a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space.
(3) In group residences, no more than four youth shall occupy the same bedroom.
(4) In supported residences, no more than three youth shall occupy the same bedroom.
(5) Bunk beds may be used, but only in a manner which complies with the minimum square foot sleeping space requirements for each youth.
(6) Bedrooms shall have one or more windows opening directly to outside air.
(7) Upon admission to the program, each youth shall be provided with one bed, one mattress constructed of fire retardant material, furniture for storage of personal items and clothing, one pillow, one pillowcase, two sheets, sufficient blankets to provide comfort and warmth and a supply of towels and washcloths.
(c) Clothing.
(1) The program director shall ensure that all youth have a sufficient quantity of clothing which is of appropriate style, good quality and suited to seasonal conditions.
(2) Program staff shall ensure that youth clothing is laundered on a regular and frequent basis and repaired as required.
(d) Bathing and toilet facilities.
(1) Bathrooms shall be maintained in sanitary condition at all times.
(2) The minimum requirements for bathroom facilities are as follows:
Youth Toilet Sink Tubs or Showers
1-6 1 1 1
7-12 2 2 2
13-20 3 3 3
(3) All toilets and showers shall be enclosed to provide privacy.
(4) Both hot and cold running water shall be available at all times.
(5) Individual articles for bathing, personal grooming and hygiene shall be provided in accordance with the age and needs of youth.
(e) Living room or recreation area.
A room of sufficient size and furnishing shall be provided for program and recreational activities.
(f) Dining area.
The dining area shall be of sufficient size and furnishing to allow seated dining in small groups.
(g) Food preparation/services.
(1) The program director shall have written procedures to ensure timely ordering and proper storage of food supplies and food products.
(2) The residential program shall ensure the availability of three daily meals of good quality, which may include off-site meals. Food served shall be of sufficient quantity for the specific program population served.
(3) Medically prescribed dietary and nutritional needs or restrictions of youth shall be accommodated.
(4) Program staff shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, provide youth with food items and meals sufficient to meet established religious dietary laws, in keeping with the nutritional content of food items and meals served to other youth.
(5) Program staff shall keep accurate records on file of food items and supplies made available for youth.
(6) Pantries and areas used for food storage shall be kept dry and well ventilated and shall not be used to store supplies which may contaminate food. Perishable food shall be kept refrigerated.
(7) Each program shall have kitchen equipment maintained in proper working condition and sufficient to provide for the program population.
(8) Dishes, glassware, silverware and kitchen utensils shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition.
(9) Group residences shall have an automatic dishwasher to clean food service equipment and utensils.
(h) Fire safety.
(1) The program director shall ensure that all buildings and structures comply with all applicable state and local fire codes, including requirements for the placement of smoke detectors, exit signs and fire extinguishers within the residential facility and other physical plant mandates.
(2) Program directors shall arrange for yearly inspections conducted by certified fire officials to ensure compliance with all state fire safety standards (or local standards if more stringent).
(3) Heat, electric and ventilation systems shall be of safe design, maintained in proper working condition and routinely inspected by qualified individuals.
(4) The use of wood stoves and kerosene heaters in program buildings and structures is prohibited.
(5) Space heaters shall not provide the sole means of heat in program buildings.
(6) Youth occupancy shall not be permitted above the second floor in a building of wood frame construction.
(7) Each floor of a residence occupied by youth shall have at least two alternate means of egress.
(8) An emergency exit sign shall be posted above each primary means of egress.
(9) Staff and residents shall be instructed and drilled in the emergency evacuation of the building on a regular basis, and all such instruction and drills shall be documented.
(10) Smoke detectors shall be placed in stairwells, attics, basements, bedrooms and hallways and shall be maintained in operable condition at all times.
(11) Each site shall have a working telephone for use in emergencies, with telephone numbers posted nearby for fire, police, medical assistance and other emergency services.
(i) Facilities for staff.
Live-in or sleep-in staff shall be provided with separate sleeping quarters and a separate bathroom with either a tub or shower.
(j) Provisions applicable to residential programs serving youth with dependent infants/children.
In addition to the above provisions, residential programs serving homeless youth and their dependent infants/children shall comply with the following operating requirements:
(1) Infants shall be supervised at all times.
(2) Play areas/day rooms for infants shall not be located above the first floor of any residence.
(3) Parents and their infant(s) may occupy either the same bedroom or adjoining bedrooms, but shall have separate beds. Infants shall be provided with a crib.
(4) A bedroom occupied by a parent and infant shall consist of a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space. Where occupied by an infant alone, the bedroom shall consist of a minimum of 30 square feet of floor space.
(5) Child safety devices shall be installed to secure electrical outlets and all storage areas which contain potentially dangerous substances and items, such as cleaning materials, chemicals, medications, tools and kitchen utensils.
(6) High chairs, booster seats, bathinettes, toilet training and other such equipment shall be provided.
(7) Infants shall have health examinations periodically, as recommended by the attending pediatrician.

Youth	Toilet	Sink	Tubs or Showers
1-6	1	1	1
7-12	2	2	2
13-20	3	3	3

All certified residential facilities shall comply with the physical plant requirements of this section.

(a) General.