Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 420-3-21 — Camp Sanitation

420 Alabama Department of Public Health

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-.01 General Provisions

(1) Purpose - To provide a healthy environment at, and to establish specific minimum standards for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of, camps within Alabama.

(2) Statutory Authority - These rules are adopted pursuant to the provisions of Sections 22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3, Code of Ala. 1975.

(3) Definitions - The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement of these rules:

(a) "Approved" means acceptable to the Health Officer based on his/her determination as to conformance with appropriate standards and good public health practices.

(b) "Board" means the Board of Health of the State of Alabama as defined by Section 22-2-1, Code of Ala. 1975, or the State Health Officer or his/her designee, when acting for the Board, for the purposes of these rules, the Bureau of Environmental Services.

(c) "Camp" means any place, area, parcel, or tract of land upon which persons or groups of persons temporarily congregate for educational, recreational, religious or therapeutic purposes. These rules do not apply to hunting and fishing camps, school classrooms, locker rooms and/or dormitories and their related training facilities when operated under the guidance of officials from the institution. Camps which are subject to these rules are either a:

1. Day Camp - A camp that does not provide facilities for overnight use, or

2. Resident Camp - Any camp that provides permanent or semi-permanent facilities for sleeping and which may or may not provide centralized food preparation and food service facilities.

(d) "Food Service Facility" means any facility operated in connection with a camp to provide food and/or beverages for occupants of the camp.

(e) "Disposal Site" means any site in or on any camp where refuse materials are routinely disposed of by approved methods.

(f) "Health Officer" means the Health Officer of the county or district in which the camp in question is located as provided in Section 22-3-2, Code of Alabama, 1975; or the authorized representative.

(g) "Manager" means the person having charge of the operation of a camp whether such person be the proprietor or his/her duly authorized representative.

(h) "Swimming Areas" means all designated lakes, reservoirs, creeks, ponds, pools and streams together with shores.

(i) "Permit" means a written document issued by the Health Officer giving permission to operate a specific camp.

(j) "Person" means an individual, a firm, partnership, company, corporation, trustee, association, or any public or private entity.

(k) "Proprietor" means the person who is legally responsible for the operation of a camp.

(l) "Refuse" means all garbage, rubbish, sewage sludge, and all putrescible and nonputrescible materials.

(m) "Sewage" means all water-carried wastes.

(n) "A.D.E.M." means the Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

(o) "Shall" means a mandatory requirement.

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Timothy Hatch
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• Filed December 19, 1985. Amended: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-.02 Utilities And Facilities

(1) Water Supply

(a) Enough potable water to supply the needs of the camp shall be provided from a source which is in compliance with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's Water Supply Program – Division 335-7, or as required by the local health officer.

(b) Water under pressure at the required temperature shall be provided to all fixtures and equipment that use water.

(c) Where portable drinking water containers are used, they shall be of easily cleanable construction, kept securely closed, and so set up that water may be withdrawn from the container only by water tap or faucet. Portable drinking water containers shall be protected from hazards of contamination and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.

(d) No dipping vessels or cups for common use shall be permitted.

(e) Drinking fountains, where provided, shall be of approved construction and design.

(f) Water cooling equipment, if provided, shall be of approved construction and design.

(g) All ice shall be from an approved source and manufactured from water of the same bacteriological quality as approved drinking water. All ice shall be handled and stored in such a manner as to prevent contamination in accordance with the Alabama State Board of Health Rules for Food Service Sanitation, Chapter 420-3-22.

(2) Sewage or Liquid Waste Disposal

(a) All sewage or liquid wastes shall be disposed of in a public sewage system whenever such a system is available. All other sewage disposal shall be in accordance with applicable rules.

(b) No sewage or liquid waste disposal system shall be constructed, installed, or used at or on any camp until plans have been submitted to the Health Officer for review and approval provided that existing systems may continue to be used if operating in a sanitary manner as determined by the Health Officer.

(3) Garbage and Refuse Storage and Disposal

(a) All garbage and refuse shall be stored in durable, water-tight, rust- resistant, rodent-proof, fly-proof containers with tight, properly fitting covers. All containers shall be maintained in a state of good repair and shall be kept clean.

(b) Approved containers shall be provided in such numbers as required by the Health Officer.

(c) All garbage and refuse shall be collected and disposed of as often as necessary but not less than once each week at an approved site.

(d) All garbage and refuse shall be collected, stored, transported and disposed of in an approved manner.

(e) Where garbage and refuse disposal must be done in or on the camp premises, the method and the site must be approved by the Health Officer.

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Timothy Hatch
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• Filed December 19, 1985. Amended: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-.03 Facility Construction And Operation

(1) Location

(a) Camps shall not be located in areas, which constitute health or safety hazards.

(b) Each camp shall be accessible at all times during the designated camping season by a road which may be traveled without difficulty by conventional motorized vehicles.

(c) The premises of each camp shall be kept free of accumulations of refuse and debris.

(2) Building

(a) All permanent structures used for living and/or sleeping purposes shall be kept clean and in good repair.

(b) All gas or oil burning heating, and/or cooking facilities provided shall be properly vented and maintained according to State Fire Marshal requirements. No open-faced gas and/or oil burning heaters shall be allowed under any circumstances.

(c) All suspected violations of the State Fire Code shall be reported to the State Fire Marshal for investigation and enforcement for applicable Fire Code standards.

(d) The number of sleepers per permanent structure shall be such that each sleeper is provided with at least thirty (30") square feet of floor space. Beds shall be located at least thirty inches (30") apart side and ends, and not more than one person shall occupy each bed.

(e) Where bedding is furnished, it shall be kept clean and in good repair. If sheets are furnished, they shall be changed at least weekly and/or for each new user of the bed.

(f) Adequate lighting shall be provided at the entrance and inside permanent structures, including all toilet and bathing facilities. Toilets and first aid stations shall be properly lit for night access during normal sleeping hours.

(g) Window space in all sleeping areas shall be at least one-tenth (1/10) of the total floor space of such areas. Windows shall be screened, and shall be maintained in a satisfactory state of repair. Screening material shall not be less than 16 mesh to the inch.

(h) All permanent structures shall be maintained in such manner as to prevent infestation of insects, rodents and other vermin.

(3) Toilet, Lavatory, and Bathing Facilities

(a) Each camp shall be provided with adequate toilet and bathing facilities, provided that operators of existing facilities take such measures as are necessary to effect compliance within a given time frame approved by the Health Officer. For facilities constructed after the effective date of these rules, the ratio of toilets, lavatories, urinals, drinking fountains, bathing facilities, and other fixtures for occupants of resident camps shall be follows:

*In the absence of urinals, the ratio of toilet facilities for men and women shall be the same.

(b) All toilets, lavatories, and bathing facilities shall be maintained in a state of good repair and shall be kept clean.

(c) Toilets and bathrooms shall be so located and distributed as to be reasonably accessible.

(d) Privies, if provided in any camp, shall be of approved design and construction and maintained in compliance with applicable rules.

(e) Toilet tissue shall be provided at each privy or toilet seat at all times.

(f) Plumbing fixtures, when connected to a sanitary drainage system shall be provided with water-sealed traps, and shall comply with any local codes and recommendations of the Health Officer. Readily accessible clean-outs shall be provided in all sewers and waste lines installed after the effective date of these rules and in existing sewers and waste lines when repair or alterations are made.

(g) All fixtures shall be vented in accordance with local codes, if any, and vents shall be installed so that no drainage of any fixture may be deposited in or conveyed through said vent.

(h) All toilet and bathing facilities shall be ventilated in a manner approved by the Health Officer.

(i) A covered container shall be provided at or near each commode in women's toilet facilities.

(4) Swimming Areas

(a) Current recommendations and/or rules of the Alabama State Department of Public Health and/or rules of the county in which the camp is located shall be applicable in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of camp swimming pools; however, all swimming pools shall be constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the following minimum requirements:

1. Water Supply: All water used in swimming pools shall be from sources approved by the Health Officer. No piping arrangements shall exist which, under any conditions, will permit sewage, waste water, or water from an unapproved source to enter the swimming pool water system or water from the swimming pool to enter the make-up water supply. Fresh water inlets shall be at an elevation above the deck level of the pool.

2. Construction: All swimming pools shall be structurally sound and constructed of an inert and enduring material, nontoxic to man, preferably concrete and tile.

3. Pool Inlets and Outlets: Pool inlets and outlets shall be provided and arranged to produce a uniform circulation of water so that a uniform disinfectant residual is maintained throughout the pool.

4. Recirculation and Filtration: All swimming pools shall have and maintain adequate recirculation and filtration equipment approved by the Health Officer for water purification.

5. Water Treatment: Satisfactory means of disinfecting which provides a residual of disinfecting agent in the pool water shall be used. Adequate, dependable automatic feeding equipment and equipment for testing residual and pH must be provided. Chlorinating equipment shall be operated at such a rate and for such time as is necessary to maintain a free chlorine residual of not less than .4 ppm when the pH measures 7.2 to 7.6. If the pH is greater than 7.6, the free chlorine residual shall be no less than 1 ppm. At no time shall the pH read less than 7.2. If other halogens are used, residuals of equivalent strength shall be used. Daily records of test results shall be recorded and shall become a permanent file of the pool, and shall be made available to the Health Officer upon his/her request.

6. Algae Accumulations: Walls and floors of pools and surrounding walks and scum gutters shall be kept free from algae and other accumulations. However, no compounds shall be used for algae control, which may be injurious to the bather's health under use conditions.

7. Safety Features: Every camp swimming area shall be attended by a life guard properly certified by a nationally recognized organization such as the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A. or Boy Scouts of America during all hours in which the pool is open for swimming. Each camp swimming pool shall be fenced on all sides, with one gate, to prevent the entrance of small children unaccompanied by an adult. One shepherd's crook and at least two approved life buoys shall be provided. Life buoys must have sufficient rope attached to reach at least one-half the width of the pool. All life saving equipment shall be readily accessible to the pool.

(b) Natural Waters: Due to natural waters being subject to abrupt changes of quality parameters, the provision of these rules pertaining to water quality does not apply to natural waters.

(5) Food Service - Camps which operate a food service establishment shall do so in full compliance with the Alabama State Board of Health's Rules for Food Service Sanitation, Chapter 420-3-22.

(6) Restriction of Animals

(a) No stray dogs, cats, fowls or other domestic animals shall be permitted to run at large within the limits of any camp premises.

(b) All dogs, cats, horses, and other warm-blooded animals owned or under the supervision of an occupant of any camp shall be currently vaccinated against rabies in compliance with Alabama Law and shall be the responsibility of the permit holder.

(c) Horses and other animals maintained in any camp for camp use shall be quartered at least 300 feet from any sleeping, living, eating or food preparation area.

(d) Stables and corrals shall be located on a well-drained, sloping area and so situated as to prevent contamination of any water supply.

(e) Manure shall be removed from stalls and corrals as often as necessary to prevent a fly problem and/or offensive odor and shall be disposed of in such manner as is approved by the Health Officer.

(7) Health, Communicable Diseases

(a) No person known to have a disease or to be a carrier of a disease, which could be spread through food, water, or air, shall attend or shall be employed in the operation or maintenance of any camp.

(b) In the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease in any camp, such place or places shall, upon the order of the Health Officer, be immediately closed.

(c) Nothing in these rules shall be construed to prevent the Health Officer or State Epidemiologist from imposing additional requirements to protect against health hazards related to employee health when, in his/her medical opinion, such additional requirements are necessary to protect public health. Nothing in these rules shall be construed to prevent the Health Officer or State Epidemiologist from waiving or modifying requirements of these rules relating to employee health when, in his/her medical opinion, no public health hazard will result.

(8) Approval of Plans

(a) Any person or persons contemplating construction, alteration, addition to, or change in the construction of any camp shall, prior to the initiation of such construction, submit to the Health Officer a plot of the proposed camp, additions, alterations, or change in construction which shall show:

1. Area and dimensions of the site.

2. The number, size, type, and location of all permanent and/or semi- permanent structures and facilities.

3. The location of any privately-developed water supply and sewage disposal system.

4. The location of water and sewer lines.

(b) In camps where central food preparation and food service buildings are proposed, plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Health Officer as required by the Alabama State Board of Health's Rules for Food Service Sanitation, Chapter 420-3-22.

(c) In camps where artificially constructed swimming pools are contemplated, plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Health Officer for review and approval prior to construction.

(d) Plans for development of water supplies which require treatment other than chlorination shall be submitted to the Health Officer and A.D.E.M. for review and approval prior to construction.

(e) Plans and specifications for sewage treatment and disposal facilities shall be in accordance with applicable rules for on-site sewage disposal systems and shall be submitted to the Health Officer for review and approval prior to construction.

(f) Plot plans and all plans and specifications shall be submitted and shall be to a scale of not less than 1": 100’.

(g) Final approval of plans by the Health Officer shall constitute permit to proceed with construction.

(9) Approval of Plans – Existing Camps.

(a) In accordance with applicable state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, plans and specifications for the construction, reconstruction or extensive alteration of any plumbing system, water supply, sewage system, garbage or refuse disposal system, kitchen food service or dining facilities, swimming and/or diving areas at any camp shall be submitted to the Health Officer at least 60 days prior to the initiation of construction, to be returned by the Health Officer within 30 days. This review is to determine that the facility meets all rules and regulations stipulated for camps permitted in Alabama.

(10) Camp Manager - Each camp shall have a person designated as Camp Manager who has authority to execute or have executed corrective or preventive measures as the Health Officer may direct which affect the health, safety, and well-being of the camp staff and camp occupants.

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Timothy Hatch
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• Filed December 19, 1985. Amended: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-.04 Enforcement Provisions

(1) Permits - It is unlawful for any person to operate a camp unless such person possesses a valid permit issued by the Health Officer for the operation of such camp. Only persons who comply with the provisions of these rules shall be entitled to receive and retain a permit. Such permit shall automatically expire on the date upon which State, County and Municipal annual privilege licenses expire or on a date designated by the State Health Officer and shall be renewable each year upon application from the operator at any time within 60 days prior to the date of its expiration; or for those camps that are not in continuous operation, application shall be made within 60 days prior to the opening date of the camp. Such permit shall be issued on a form prescribed by the Health Officer, shall be specific as to type of operation (resident camp, day camp), and shall be revocable for violation of these rules. The permit shall be kept posted by the proprietor in a conspicuous place within the camp office or similar location as directed by the Health Officer but shall remain the property of the Health Department.

(a) Any person desiring to operate a day camp or resident camp shall make written application to the county health officer for a permit on forms provided by the State Health Officer. Such application shall include: the applicant's full name, post office address, telephone number, and whether such applicant is an individual, firm, or corporation, and if a partnership, the name of the partners, together with their address shall be included; the location and type of the proposed camp; and the signature of the applicant or applicants.

(b) Upon receipt of an application for a permit, the Health Officer shall make an inspection of the camp site to determine compliance with the provisions of these rules. When inspection reveals satisfactory compliance with applicable requirements of these rules, a permit signed by the Health Officer shall be issued. It shall be the responsibility of the Health Officer to conduct no less than one additional inspection while the camp is in operation. The original copy of each inspection report shall be left with the proprietor or manager and shall constitute a legal notice. A copy of each inspection report shall be filed at the County Health Department.

(2) Permit denials, suspensions, and revocations – The Health Officer’s denial, suspension and/or revocation of a permit shall be governed by the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, § 41-22-1, et seq., Code of Alabama 1975.

(3) Hearings – Contested case hearings shall be provided in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, § 41-22-1, et seq., Code of Alabama 1975, and the State Board of Health’s Contested Case Hearing Rules, Chapter 420-1-3. Informal settlement conferences may be conducted as provided in the State Board of Health’s Contested Case Hearing Rules, Chapter 420-1-3.

(4) Suspension of permits - Permits may be suspended temporarily by the Health Officer for failure of the permit holder to comply with the requirements of these rules.

(5) Revocation of permits - The Health Officer may, after providing opportunity for a hearing, revoke a permit for serious or repeated violations of any of the requirements of these rules or for interference with the Health Officer in the performance of his duty or for failure to comply with the provisions of a notice of permit suspension issued under 420-3-21-.04(4).

(6) Application after revocation- Whenever a revocation of a permit has become final, the holder of the revoked permit may make written application for a new permit after 90 days from the date of revocation.

(7) Survey and Training - The State of Alabama, Department of Public Health, shall make Camp Sanitation Surveys and Program Evaluations as deemed necessary by the State Health Officer. Surveys shall be made in accordance with the provisions of these rules and results incorporated in the annual Alabama Public Health Report. The Department shall provide education and training in camp sanitation and in regulation interpretation, standardized inspection techniques, and enforcement procedures for lodging program personnel.

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Mark Sestak
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• Filed December 19, 1985. Amended: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005. Amended: Filed September 17, 2009; effective October 22, 2009.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-.05 Repealer

All Camp Sanitation rules promulgated by the Board or by county boards of health, which are in conflict with these, rules or any portion thereof are hereby expressly repealed. This provision shall not apply to rules adopted under the authority of Code of Ala. 1975, Sections 22-21-20, et seq.

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Timothy Hatch
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• Filed December 19, 1985. Amended: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-3-21-A Appendix

CHAPTER 420-3-21

Appendix A

Camp Inspection Report

History

• Author: Ronald Dawsey, Timothy Hatch
• Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§22-2-2(6), 22-20-5, 34-15-3.
• New Form: Filed March 21, 2005; effective April 25, 2005.