Iowa Admin. Code r. 201-50.9

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, November 13, 2024

Rule 201-50.9 - Fire safety and emergency evacuation

(1)Approval of building plans. All new construction or major remodeling plans shall be approved by the state fire marshal prior to commencement of construction.

(2)Compliance with fire marshal rules. No jail shall be occupied by a prisoner 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 jail complies with the fire safety standards for jails included in administrative rules promulgated by the state fire marshal. Jails 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 department of corrections, a jail administrator, or the chief executive of an agency that administers a jail may request that the state fire marshal inspect a jail for compliance with fire safety standards. If the state fire marshal finds that a jail is not in substantial compliance with fire safety standards based on such an inspection, the state fire marshal may require the jail administrator to submit to the fire marshal a plan of correction of violations of these standards. The director of the Iowa department of corrections may initiate proceedings to close the jail if the jail does not comply with the plan of correction.

(3)Evacuation plan. The administrator of each jail 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 prisoners. 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 staff on at least an annual basis and a record thereof shall be maintained according to subrule 50.22(10), Iowa Administrative Code.

(4)Release of prisoners.

a. There shall be a reasonable expectation of the prompt removal of prisoners 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 jail 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 jails 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 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 prisoner 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. These alarms shall be ceiling-mounted if possible and shall be located and protected from prisoner 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 50.22(10), 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 certified by an independent testing laboratory and that meet the standards established by the state fire marshal shall be used in jails. Mattresses that are ripped, excessively cracked or which contain large holes shall be replaced. Pillows shall be replaced when torn or excessively cracked.

(12)Sprinkler heads. If installed, sprinkler heads accessible to prisoners 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.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 201-50.9

Amended by IAB August 1, 2018/Volume XLI, Number 3, effective 9/5/2018