What is the definition of a Lodging Establishment? A lodging establishment is any building, group of buildings, structure, facility, place or places of business where five (5) or more guest rooms are provided, which is owned, maintained, or operated by any person and which is kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to the public for hire which can be construed to be a hotel, motel, motor hotel, apartment hotel, tourist court, resort, cabins, tourist home, bunkhouse, dormitory, or other similar place by whatever name called, and includes all such accommodations operated for hire as lodging establishments for either transient guests, permanent guests, or for both transient and permanent guests. (back to top) What are transient guests and permanent guests? A transient guest is any person who rents and occupies a guest room in a lodging establishment for less than thirty one (31) days. The permanent guest occupies and rents the lodging establishment for thirty one (31) days or more. (back to top) How often are Lodging Establishments inspected? Lodging establishments are generally inspected at least once per year and more frequently if necessary. Licensing for lodging establishments in Missouri is due on September 30. To review the Missouri Laws accompanied by the Department of Health and Senior Services Rule Governing Lodging Establishments visit their website here. (back to top) Are the food service areas of lodging establishments inspected? Yes, the food service areas of lodging establishments are inspected at least once per year and more frequently if necessary. The food service areas of the lodging establishment will generally be inspected separately as a food facility. (back to top) What are some of the things inspected in the lodging establishments? Generally speaking and with a great deal of brevity, there are eight areas of greatest concern in the lodging establishment inspections. The first two are basically safe water and an approved sanitary wastewater disposal system. Sanitation and housekeeping have always been important but have become more lax with management and housekeeping crews across the nation. We expect our facilities to be kept clean and in good repair. That includes clean bed linens, clean towels, and clean furnishings as well as clean floors, walls and ceilings. We look at the sanitation methods and location of the in-room coffee maker, drinking glasses and ice bucket. Bedbug infestations are becoming more common so, we are providing education for the workers at our local lodging establishments. We have also asked housekeeping to be diligent in watching for signs of bedbugs. A lodging establishment found to be infested with bedbugs will be asked to close the guest rooms and areas where the infestation has occurred and take measures necessary to rid the premises of bedbugs. For more information on bedbugs go here or check bedbugs on this (PCHD) web site. The fourth aspect of the inspection is Life Safety. Are Exit signs and emergency lights working properly? How and where are combustibles stored? Circuit boxes must be accessible and protected. Carbon monoxide detectors must be properly placed and in proper working condition. These are things that the proprietor must check frequently and properly maintain. The fifth aspect of the inspection is Fire Safety. We require frequent (usually monthly) in-house inspections of all or at least zones in the fire and smoke alarm system. This would include testing smoke detectors and heat sensing devices, fire alarm and sprinkler systems. Housekeeping personnel should also check in-room smoke alarms whenever the guest room is cleaned. Unfortunately, guests often disconnect in-room detectors putting themselves and others in danger. Many motels provide swimming pool and spas for the guests. These areas are inspected for maintenance and operation as well as lifesaving equipment, safe enclosures, and water quality. For more information swimming pools & spas, visit the CDC. Plumbing and Mechanical installation and maintenance as well as Heating, Venting and Air Conditioning Equipment must be installed and maintained properly. These aspects of the lodging facility may include but are not limited to fuel fired appliances, water heaters, boilers and pressure vessels. Our goal is to provide a safe place to stay in all of our motels in Perry County. (back to top)
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