Foster Home Inspection Instructions

ADVERTISEMENT

FOSTER HOME INSPECTION INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these instructions prior to commencing your inspection.
This checklist is provided to specific Family Foster Homes for the purpose of complying with Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services fire safety evaluation requirements. The use of this
form is limited to Family Foster Homes with not more than six ambulatory children, all capable of self
preservation, except as provided for in item 2 below.* These requirements are taken from IFC 2009
edition, a nationally recognized standard adopted by the Fire Marshal, and are intended to provide a
minimum standard of fire safety in Family Foster Homes.
For the purpose of this evaluation an owner is defined as the adult resident(s) having primary
responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the home, regardless of who actually owns the home or
building.
Using the checklist as a guide, review the fire safety requirements and answer each item “yes” or “no”
with a check mark in the appropriate box. Any “no” checked items must be corrected in order to meet
the minimal evaluation standards.
Explanation of each item on the checklist:
1. If seven or more children reside in the Foster Home, the home is defined as a “Foster Group
Home,” and an site inspection by a certified fire safety inspector is required. Additional or
modified fire safety requirements may apply. If the answer to this question is “No,” you may
contact the Fire Marshal’s Office for assistance.
2.* Children must be capable of self evacuation, and be without any primary medical
needs. No
more than two infants (up to 24 months) may reside at the home and an emergency evacuation
and relocation plan, as required by General Residential Operations rule §748.3231, must
specifically provide for the evacuation of all residents in less than three minutes.
3. Smoke detectors shall receive power from the building electrical system or batteries. Check the
smoke detector monthly for proper operation by pressing the test button or switch on the unit. Do
not use a flame or smoke to test the unit. If a battery-powered smoke detector does not operate
when tested, change the battery and retest. If the unit still does not work, replace the smoke
detector. Any non-functional line-powered smoke detectors shall be replaced. Batteries shall be
changed at least annually. Statistics show about one-third of the smoke detectors installed in
homes are inoperative. When detectors are non-operational, the usual reason is dead or missing
batteries. The detector(s) should be mounted according to manufacturer’s instructions.
4. In addition to providing a smoke detector within each sleeping room, smoke detector(s) shall be
located in the hall area(s) in the vicinity of the sleeping rooms. The detector(s) should be mounted

ADVERTISEMENT

00 votes

Related Articles

Related forms

Related Categories

Parent category: Business
Go
Page of 5