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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/23/2024

Article 3. Additional Design Requirements

6VAC15-81-830. Elevators.

A. Facilities with three or more stories shall be provided with at least two elevators.

B. Elevators within the secure perimeter shall be capable of being securely controlled and managed locally and from a control room. Consideration shall be given in all elevators to provide visual and audio communication with the control room.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-840. Corridors.

Corridors used for the movement of inmates, stretchers, food and utility carts, etc. shall be constructed to provide a minimum width of five feet.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-850. Intercom, closed circuit television, video, and sound services.

A. As a minimum, each housing unit shall be equipped with an electronic sound monitoring system that allows inmates to notify staff in the case of an emergency. This system shall be monitored by master control or other remote control room or control station.

B. Two-way intercoms shall be provided at all remotely controlled security doors other than cell doors.

C. The facility shall be designed to maximize direct visual sightlines. As a supplement to direct visual observation, CCTV shall be installed to observe, at a minimum, blind spots in corridors, sally ports, building entrances, and the building exterior.

D. If video teleconferencing or arraignment is to be utilized, adequate space shall be provided.

E. Consideration shall be given to the requirements of PREA when installing video monitoring, electronic surveillance, or other monitoring technology.

F. In areas where voice communications through the glazing is desired, such as a magistrate, visitation, and control rooms, a system utilizing vandal resistant individual speakers, microphones, intercom, telephone, speak-around frames, or an approved equivalent shall be specified.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-860. Telephone.

Inmate telephone service shall be provided in all inmate housing units, including intake and special purpose housing, within the jail.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-870. Glazing in doors.

Glazed view panels shall be provided in all doors for security and safety, with the following exceptions:

1. Doors to janitorial closets, plumbing chases, storage areas, employee dining, staff break room, pharmacy, toilets, maintenance rooms, property storage rooms, evidence rooms, armory, mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, telecommunication rooms, security electronics rooms, offices outside the secure perimeter, and similar rooms.

2. Doors required by the building code to have a three-hour fire-resistance rating are not required to have view panels.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-880. Mechanical, maintenance, security electronics.

A. The main mechanical room shall be located outside the secure perimeter and shall be accessible from the outside.

B. If a separate maintenance shop is provided, it shall be located outside the secure perimeter and shall be accessible from the outside.

C. The main security electronics shall be contained in a room specifically designed for that purpose or shall be securely separated from other equipment. Security electronic rooms shall not provide access to other spaces or services. An independent cooling system shall be provided for this room.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-890. Access for replacement of mechanical equipment.

Design shall provide access for replacement of larger pieces of mechanical equipment without having to relocate other equipment or cut holes through walls, floors, roofs, or ceilings.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-900. Plumbing.

A. Walk-in type plumbing chases shall be provided with lights and electrical outlets to facilitate maintenance.

B. Sufficient floor water drains shall be provided throughout the jail to enable water to be easily removed from areas subject to water spillage or flooding (i.e., shower, group toilet areas, dayrooms, kitchens, etc.).

C. At a minimum, the capability of shutting off the domestic water supply shall be provided for each individual housing unit with one control per housing unit.

D. Plumbing fixtures in special purpose and intake cells shall have individual shutoff controls for domestic water supply.

E. Domestic water shutoff controls shall be in a remote location in proximity to each housing unit and shall be easily accessed by staff, but not inmate accessible.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

6VAC15-81-910. Housing unit stair and cell tier guard rails.

Guard rails shall be a minimum height of 48 inches above the floor or stair treads in housing units and inmate stairs, including egress stairs and tiers.

Statutory Authority

§§ 53.1-5, 53.1-80, and 53.1-82 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 34, Issue 12, eff. March 8, 2018.

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