S.C. Code Regs. § 61-103.Q
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 07, July 26, 2024
Section 61-103.Q - Plumbing (II)(1) Water Supply. (a) Quality: When an approved water supply is not available, a water supply shall be provided which meets the requirements of the Department. Prior to construction of such a water supply, the engineer shall obtain a permit to construct from the Department. Before placing the water supply into service, a final approval must be obtained from the Department.(b) Disinfection of Water Lines: The water system for new facilities shall be disinfected before use in accordance with the regulations of the Department. Samples shall be taken from the water system and forwarded to an approved laboratory for bacterial analysis in accordance with the Department regulations to assure adequacy of the disinfection process. The water shall not be used as a potable supply until certified as satisfactory by a representative of the Department.(c) Temperature Control.(1) Hot water supplied to fixtures which are accessible to residents for bathing and handwashing shall be thermostatically controlled to provide a water temperature not exceeding one-hundred twenty five degrees (l25 degrees Fahrenheit) and not less than one-hundred degrees (l00 degrees Fahrenheit) at the fixtures.(2) The water heater or combination of heaters shall be sized to provide at least six (6) gallons per hour per bed at the above ranges.(3) Hot water supplied to the pot washing sink in the kitchen shall be supplied at one-hundred-forty degrees (140 degrees F.).(4) Final rinse temperature of the dishwasher shall be one-hundred-eighty degrees (180 degrees Fahrenheit).(d) Stop Valves: Each plumbing fixture and each piece of equipment shall have stop valves to permit repairs without disrupting service to other fixtures. Each group of fixtures on a floor, each branch main, and each supply line shall be valved.(e) Cross Connections: Cross connections in plumbing between safe and potential unsafe water supplies are prohibited. This refers particularly to toilets, laundry fixtures and fixtures of similar nature. Water shall be delivered at least two (2) delivery pipe diameters above the rim or points of over flow to each fixture, piece of equipment, or service unless protected against back siphonage by approved vacuum breakers or other approved back flow preventors. Any faucet or fixture to which a hose may be attached shall have an approved vacuum breaker or other backflow preventor installed.(2) Wastewater. (a) Design and Construction. (1) Plans, specifications, reports and studies for the construction, expansion or alteration of a wastewater system shall be prepared by an engineer registered in South Carolina and shall carry his official signature and seal.(2) The design and construction of wastewater systems shall be in accordance with modern engineering practices and the rules and regulations of the Department.(b) Fixtures. (1) Toilets shall be provided in number ample for use according to the number of residents. The minimum requirement is one (1) toilet for every four (4) residents or fraction thereof. (a) Grab bars of an approved type shall be provided on at least one (1) side of every toilet used by residents.(b) Separate toilet facilities and lockers shall be provided for employees.(c) Each toilet shall be ventilated. There shall be a mechanical system to the outdoors with a minimum of four (4) air changes per hour.(2) Baths.(a) There shall be a bathtub or shower with approved grab bars for each five (5) licensed beds or fraction thereof.(b) Separate bathroom facilities shall be provided for live in staff.(c) Each bathroom shall be ventilated. There shall be a mechanical system to the outdoors with a minimum of ten (10) air changes per hour.(d) Bathrooms for handicapped persons must be provided as per the Standard Building Code whether any of the residents are classified as handicapped or not.(e) All bathroom floors shall be entirely covered with an approved non-absorbent covering. Continuous solid type covering is preferred over block tile type.(f) Adequate supply of toilet tissue shall be maintained in each bathroom.(g) Floor area shall not be less than fifteen (15) square feet for each toilet room with one (1) toilet and lavatory.(3) Sinks and Handwashing Fixtures. (a) A sink shall be provided close to each Control Station and in each Utility Room. Handwashing facilities used by staff shall be equipped with valves which can be operated without the use of hands.(b) Separate handwashing fixtures shall be provided in the main kitchen and shall be so located that the person in charge may supervise handwashing by food service personnel.(c) Handwashing fixtures shall be provided in number ample for use according to the number of licensed beds. The minimum requirement is one adjacent to each toilet.(d) A paper towel dispenser, soap dispenser, and a covered wastebasket shall be provided at each handwashing sink.