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CHILD CARE INSPECTION PROGRAM ::
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW/REMODELED CHILD CARE CENTERS
This information is
intended to be used by owners, architects, and contractors wishing to
construct or remodel a child care facility in order to meet the City
of Arlington Health Code. These are requirements that are to be used
in addition to requirements of other city departments, and do not
replace other department's requirements. At the time of application
for a Building Permit, one set of plans must also be submitted to the
Health Division for review. If a Building Permit is not required, a
set of plans must be submitted directly to the Health Division
before beginning the work. The plans must include the center, kitchen
and play equipment and play areas (both indoor and outdoor). Written
comments will be sent to the applicant or general contractor,
outlining any areas of concern and any additional comments concerning
the facility and it’s operation. It will be necessary for the owner,
architect, or contractor to respond to these comments before a
Building Permit will be issued. Please notify this department when the
facility is ready for a certificate of occupancy so that an on-site
inspection may be conducted. A Child Care Center Permit will be issued
after all requirements have been met and fees are paid. A permit must
be obtained before beginning operations.
For additional information,
please contact our office at:
101 S. Mesquite St., Suite 720
P.O. Box 90231
Mail Stop 63-0700
Arlington, Texas 76004-3231
Telephone number: 817-459-6777.
Space And Design
The number of persons regularly
occupying the building shall not exceed one person (child or adult)
for each thirty-five (35) square feet of building areas as
determined by the Arlington Building Code.
- There must be at least thirty (30)
square feet of indoor activity space per child.
- A playground consisting of not
less than one hundred (100) square feet of area for each child
occupying the area at one time must be provided.
- An area must be provided to
isolate children with symptoms of communicable disease from other
children at the center.
- All outer openings must be rodent
proof including doors and windows.
Playground Areas
A chain link fence must enclose
outdoor play areas not less than six feet (6') in height.
- Fall zones in outdoor play areas
must be completely free of concrete, rock, lumber, or any other
obstruction, which could cause injury. A fall zone is an area
extending four feet (4') from climbing structures, five feet (5')
from the bottom of a slide (other parts of slide are climbing
structures), seven feet (7') from a merry-go-round, other
revolving devices, and swings. Fall zones should be constructed of
wood chips, small gravel, or other material designed to
effectively absorb shock and prevent injury.
- Playground equipment must be
constructed with no sharp edges, dangerous protrusions, or other
hazards, and designed to protect against entrapment.
- All playground equipment
installed, modified, or repaired after October 1, 1999, must meet
Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playgrounds
Safety Guidelines Publication No.325.
- Any pool, pond, or other body of
water greater than two feet (2') in depth must be separated from a
playground by a chain link fence no less than six feet (6') in
height. The fence must be constructed to meet all Building
Department requirements and must be designed so that children can
not easily climb over it. Gates of the pool enclosure must be
self-closing, self-latching, and remain locked when not in use.
Furnishings
Adequate storage must be provided
for children's personal articles. Storage areas should be
constructed of smooth, easily cleanable materials with separate
space for each child’s clothing, bags, hats, coats, etc.
Sanitation
Toilet fixtures and facilities must
be provided in accordance with Appendix `C' of the Uniform Plumbing
Code as adopted in the Arlington Plumbing Code. (Consult Child Care
Licensing for number required.)
- All adult handwash sinks must be
provided with hot and cold water tempered by a mixing valve, soap,
and sanitary towels. Hot water provided to handwashing sinks must
not exceed 120oF.
- All diaper change areas must be
provided with handwash sinks in the immediate area. The handwash
sinks must be equipped with both hot and cold water, tempered by
means of a mixing valve, soap, and sanitary towels.
- Properly constructed diaper
changing stations should be provided. Floor mats are not adequate
changing areas.
- Toilet facilities, including
diaper change areas, must be constructed with smooth, easily
cleanable walls, ceilings, floors, and work surfaces.
- Permanent signs must be
conspicuously posted in restrooms and food service areas reminding
all persons to wash hands.
Smoke Detectors -
Fire Alarm Systems
Smoke detectors must be installed to
provide an effective warning to the building occupants of fire in
any kitchen area, sleeping area, or any area containing mechanical
equipment.
- An approved fire alarm system must
be installed in centers with fifty (50) or more occupancy
according to the City of Arlington Fire Code.
- Fire evacuation and relocation
diagrams must be conspicuously posted in all assembly rooms and
classrooms.
Food Services
A center that prepares or serves
food shall comply with the pertinent food service regulations
contained in the City of Arlington Health Ordinance, Article IV
(construction requirements attached.) Note: Centers that operate
more than six (6) hours per day are required to provide supplemental
food when children do not have sufficient dietary requirements in
their meals.
- Centers that prepare or serve
meals must employee at least one person who is certified by the
Texas Department of Health as a Food Protection Manager.
Swimming Pools
All swimming pools used by children
must comply with City of Arlington Health Ordinance, Article VII
that regulates public and semi-public pools; as well as other
Arlington Building Codes and applicable state laws.
- Plans must be submitted on newly
constructed or renovated pools.
- The owner must obtain a permit and
pay all required fees.
Application
The permit application shall state
the name, address and telephone number of the permit applicant, and
the name and social security account numbers of all employees and
staff members of the child care center that are in contact with the
children.
- The permit application shall
indicate the name and street and mailing address of the child care
center, status of food service provided for children, times of
operation and the current zoning of the property. A site plan
shall be submitted, drawn to an accurate scale indicating the
legal description of the property and showing the indoor and
outdoor areas to be used for the child care center.
- The child care center applicant
must have liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of
$300,000 for each occurrence of negligence according to Chapter 42
of the Texas Human Resources Code. The policy must cover injury or
death that occurs while a child is in the care of the facility and
must remain in effect at all times that the center is operating.
- The child care center applicant
must have liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of
$300,000 combined single limit for each occurrence of bodily
injury or death and property damage that occurs due to motor
vehicle accident during transportation of a child. Coverage shall
be provided for all owned/leased nonowned and hired vehicles to
include uninsured/under-insured motorists.
- Applicant must possess a valid
Child Care Center License or Accreditation issued by Texas
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or has attained
provisional status in order to be issued a City of Arlington Child
Care Center Permit.
- Owner must provide proof of
compliance with the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services requirement for criminal history and background search
for each employee.
Fees
Upon completion of the plan review,
the owner must submit a completed Child Care Center Permit
Application; application fee or change of ownership fee, and annual
permit fee. A permit will be issued upon compliance with the City of
Arlington Health Ordinance requirements and payment of fees.
| Application
Fee |
$125.00
|
| Change
of Ownership Fee |
$ 75.00
|
| .. |
|
|
Annual
Permit Fee
|
|
| .. |
Center with Food |
$220.00 |
| .. |
Center without
Food |
$140.00 |
10/99
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