Article 6. Miscellaneous Construction Features
6VAC15-81-1040. Jail equipment.
A. All jail security equipment, fixtures, hardware, etc. shall be of a design to meet the security level consistent with the intended use of the space.
B. Bunks installed in maximum and medium security cells shall be bolted through the wall, welded to imbeds, or bolted or welded to inserts cast into the wall or floor.
C. Fixed tables and seats shall be through-bolted through the wall, welded to imbeds, or bolted or welded to inserts cast into the wall or floor.
D. Door closers within the secure perimeter shall be the concealed arm type.
E. All equipment and systems shall be installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions unless otherwise required by this chapter or approved by the reviewing authority to be installed differently.
F. Exposed surfaces of all metal tables, bunks, seats, cabinets, grab rails, stringers, hand and guard rails, food passes, windows, doors, frames, shelves, and similar items shall have smooth edges to reduce risk of cutting or other injury.
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.
6VAC15-81-1050. Interstitial spaces.
Interstitial spaces above cells, freezers, refrigerators, dryers, showers, stand-alone offices, and similar shall be enclosed to facilitate detection of tampering and prevent unauthorized access and to eliminate blind spots.
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.
6VAC15-81-1060. Security fasteners.
A. Fasteners within the secure perimeter shall be pinned Torx or flush break-off head style fasteners installed with thread locking fluid. Spanner type screws are prohibited.
B. Security fasteners are required in locations as follows:
1. Direct supervision control panels.
2. Inmate accessible elevator cabs and control panels.
3. Security lock mounting plates.
4. Glazing stops for security windows.
5. Security light fixtures.
6. Hinges for security doors.
7. Field fabricated equipment.
8. Installed furnishings and equipment including annunciator panels, fire extinguisher cabinets, thresholds, kickplates, grab bars, mirrors, floor drains, air diffusers, light switch plates, outlet covers, intercoms, thermostats, and cameras in inmate accessible areas.
C. Fixed tables and bunks shall be secured with fasteners as specified in this section or with peened or tack-welded anchor bolts and nuts to prevent removal.
D. Security fasteners are not required for the following:
1. Mechanical, electrical, generator, elevator equipment, or communication equipment in locked rooms with security doors not accessible to inmates or inside enclosed control rooms.
2. Above security ceilings, behind secure locked access doors or panels, and within secure pipe and duct chases.
3. Movable furnishings, storage shelving, or cabinet hardware.
4. Laundry and kitchen equipment.
5. Equipment mounted higher than 15 feet above finished floor or within six feet of the tier.
6. Outside the secure perimeter.
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.
6VAC15-81-1070. Food, paper, and medicine passes.
A. A pass for food and medicine shall be installed in all maximum security cell doors. For purposes of this requirement, holding, intake, maximum security housing, classification, and special purpose cells are considered maximum security.
B. A pass for food shall be installed in a wall or inner sally port door of each housing unit. The food pass shall be lockable and operable from the sally port interior and shall not interfere with the operation of the door.
C. Locking passes shall be installed with the lock and fold down shelf on the side of the door or wall away from the inmates.
D. The size of a food or medicine pass shall be no more than five inches high and at least 15 inches wide or designed to facilitate passage of trays to be used. Food passes shall be installed at a maximum height of 36 inches to the top of the opening.
E. A minimum of a paper pass shall be installed from each control room to the adjoining corridor.
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.
6VAC15-81-1080. Communication.
A. A secure means of communication and a paper pass shall be provided between control room and each dayroom and between magistrate's office and intake.
B. A secure means of communication and a paper pass shall be provided between law-enforcement lobby and intake.
C. In areas where voice communications through the glazing is required or desired, such as magistrate, visitation, and control rooms, a system utilizing vandal resistant individual speakers, microphones, intercom, telephone, speak-around frames or 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.
6VAC15-81-1090. Interior finishes.
A. In secure areas, all interior exposed walls, partitions, and ceilings shall have a low maintenance, nonabsorbent durable finish.
B. All floor surfaces shall be of a durable, low maintenance, nonabsorbent material.
C. If concrete floor surfaces are used, they shall be finished with a sealer or coating.
D. Base molding is not recommended in inmate accessible areas within the secure perimeter.
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.
6VAC15-81-1100. Acoustics.
A. Acoustical treatment shall be provided at a minimum in housing units, activity areas, and intake.
B. Acoustical treatment shall be damage resistant.
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.
6VAC15-81-1110. Security sealants.
A. General.
1. Security sealants shall be either elastomeric (tamper resistant: hardness 50 or greater) or low-mod gel (pick-resistant: hardness 70 or greater) type.
a. Tamper resistant sealants shall be provided within all inmate occupied areas subject to continuous supervision.
b. Pick resistant sealants shall be provided within all inmate occupied areas not subject to continuous supervision, such as cells.
2. Where open joints exceed security sealant capabilities to provide a full seal, a metal cover shall be provided with security sealant at its full perimeter.
3. Tamper resistant sealant with range of movements suitable for the application shall be used. Pick resistant sealant shall not be used in movable building joints.
4. Joints above ceilings, those covered by expansion joint covers or otherwise concealed are excluded from requirements for security sealants.
5. Security sealants shall be installed with a primer and in accordance with manufacturer written recommendations.
B. Inmate occupied areas.
1. Tamper resistant sealant shall be provided as transition between surface applied floor finish and transition to wall face in lieu of an applied wall base.
2. Within all cells, pick resistant sealants shall be provided for gaps and open joints at the perimeter of all permanent materials, furnishings, fixtures, and devices.
3. Tamper resistant sealant shall be provided for gaps and open joints in other than inmate cells at the perimeter of all fixtures and devices that are removable if not designed to be continuously supervised.
4. Locations for application of tamper resistant sealant include the following:
a. Dayrooms.
b. Visitation (inmate side).
c. Classrooms.
d. Indoor recreation and multipurpose rooms.
e. Inmate toilets, lavatories, and shower areas.
5. Security sealant is not required higher than 12 feet above the finished floor or beyond six feet horizontally of guard rails enclosing tier floor and landing levels in dayrooms.
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.
6VAC15-81-1120. Fencing.
A. Two levels of security fencing are as follows:
1. Inmate containment fencing designed for outdoor recreation areas outside the secure perimeter shall consist of:
a. Two fences at least 12 feet in height and at least 10 feet apart.
b. Fence fabric shall be at least nine-gage, 2-1/2-inch mesh maximum opening, galvanized steel interwoven wire.
c. Razor wire shall be provided and installed per manufacturer recommendations on the top of both fences in the vee arms or on the outrigger arm on the inmate side at the top.
d. A third row of razor wire shall be located between the fences on the inmate side, adjacent to the outside fence.
e. All razor wire shall be a minimum of 24/30 inch double helix coil constructed of 100% stainless steel.
2. Fencing designed for short-term supervised emergency containment shall be:
a. At least 12 feet high.
b. At least nine-gage and 2-1/2-inch maximum opening mesh.
c. Galvanized steel wire interwoven fence fabric.
d. Topped with a minimum of three rows of barbed wire securely fastened to support arms at the top of line and corner posts angled to the inmate side.
B. Fence components including the top and bottom rails, line posts, terminal posts, tension bars, attachments, concrete footings for the fence, walk gates and truck gates, shall be in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
C. Both top and bottom selvage of the fence fabric shall be twisted and barbed.
D. All exterior fencing shall be effectively grounded.
E. After installation, all threaded fittings, connectors, and bolts shall be tack welded or peened to prevent nuts and pins from being removed. All exposed threads and connector twisted wire tie ends shall face away from the inmate side of the fence, except for double fences where the exposed threads and connector twisted wire tie ends shall face between the fences.
F. All twisted wire tie down wires shall be minimum nine-gage galvanized steel and twisted a minimum of two turns at each end.
G. Hog ring type connectors are not allowed in fencing construction.
H. Fences are not required to have barbed wire if protected by razor wire.
I. Openings between the fence post and building shall not exceed two inches.
J. Bracing shall be shielded or installed on the side of fenced away from inmates, except for double fences where the connectors and bolts shall be between fences.
K. Lock assemblies for gates in fence shall be protected from unauthorized access and tampering.
L. Tension wires are not permitted in lieu of bottom rails.
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.