Inspection Form

The Inspection Form is available in PDF format.  

Please click here to download the form.

Section 1. Cleanliness and Housekeeping

All members must observe minimum standards of cleanliness and housekeeping as specified in the Bed and Breakfast Health Standards and Guidelines set out by Alberta Health.

In addition:

A. Kitchen

• All visible and nonvisible surfaces (e.g. doorknobs, tops of counters, appliances, sinks, cupboards, floors, walls, light fixtures) are free of dust, grease, food particles, mould and mildew
• Cleaned with a sanitizing solution (e.g. product that has a disinfectant)
• Use clean (sanitized) tea towels and dishcloths
• Windows and window coverings - interior and exterior - are free of dust, grease and fingerprints

B. Dining areas

• All visible and nonvisible surfaces (e.g. furniture, doorknobs, decorations, window ledges, floors, walls, light fixtures, shelving) are free of dust, grease, food particles and in good repair (e.g. free of rips, stains, chips etc.)
  
• Windows and window coverings - interior and exterior - are free of dust, grease and fingerprints
  
• Linens - (e.g. table cloths, placemats, serviettes) are clean, free of stains and in good repair (e.g. no rips and are wrinkle free)
  
• Table setting - dishes, glassware, serving bowls, etc. are in good repair (e.g. free of chips, cracks, tarnish)

C. Common Areas

• All visible and nonvisible surfaces (e.g. banisters, window ledges, doorknobs, walls, furniture, rugs) are free of dust, grease and food particles and in good repair (e.g. free of rips, stains, chips and cracks)
  
• Windows and window coverings - interior and exterior - are free of dust, grease and fingerprints

D. Bedrooms

• Bedding (e.g. comforters, sheets, blankets, duvet covers, pillows, pillow shams, mattress covers, pillow protectors, dust ruffles) are clean and in good condition: e.g.
  • free of rips
  • free of stains
  • free of pilling
  • free of soil
  • not worn
  • not faded
• Bedding fits appropriate bed (e.g. taut fitted sheet on mattress and top sheet, blankets and comforters hang down past mattress on sides)
  
• Pillows have protectors that are removable
  
• Mattresses are free of mildew, dust, stains and are supportive (do not sag)
  
• All visible and nonvisible surfaces (e.g. walls, light fixtures, lamps, bed, decorations) are free of dust, grease or oil, fingerprints, hair and in good repair (e.g. free of rips, stains, chips)
  
• Windows and window coverings - interior and exterior - are free of dust, grease, fingerprints

E. Bathroom

• All visible and nonvisible surfaces (e.g. top of counters, ceiling fan, tubs, toilet, sink, tile, rubberized safety bath tub mat, tub enclosures, light fixtures, door knobs) are free of grease, dirt, mildew, stains, hair, fingerprints and build-up of soap scum
  
• Windows and window coverings - interior and exterior if present - are free of dust, grease and fingerprints
  
• Linens (e.g. towels, shower curtains, floor mats, facecloths, bath mats) are clean and in good condition, e.g.
  • free of rips
  • free of snags
  • free of soil
  • free of stains
  • not worn
  • not faded
  • absorbent
    
  If bath accessories (e.g. sponges, loofas) are supplied, they must be disinfected after each use or be new for each guest
  
• Linens supplied in adequate quantities:
  • one handtowel, face cloth and bath towel for each guest
  • if cloth tub mats are used, one per guest bedroom
    
• Provide liquid dispensed products or individually wrapped soaps
  
• Provide one roll of toilet paper on holder and one visible or easily accessible spare
  
• Provide refuse container, lined with plastic bag and empty daily
  

Section 2: Fire Regulations Compliance

All members must adhere to the following fire regulations:

A. Smoke detectors

• Provide at least one smoke detector for each level, either wired or battery operated, including basement
  
• Maintain in good repair including testing, twice a year and replacing batteries twice a year in battery operated detectors

• Provide at least one fire extinguisher on each floor level
  
• Extinguisher to be ABC rated and a minimum of 5 pounds
  
• Host to be familiar with how to use (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Spray) and maintain as per manufacturer's instructions
  
• Mounted so as to be visible (e.g. not in a closet or disguised)

Section 3: Lighting

Regarding lighting, each member must have:

A. In bedroom:

• Two sources of light either overhead, wall sconces, floor lamps, or table lamps with manufacturer's maximum recommended wattage (e.g. 40 or 60 watt bulb)

B. In hallway:

• Hall sconces, night lights, or overhead lighting with manufacturer's maximum recommended wattage (e.g. 7 watt bulb)
  
• Night light to be left on for night

C. Outside Entry

• At least two sources of light, e.g. front entrance way, garage lights or streetlights with manufacturer's maximum recommended wattage to ensure safe entry into house. Rural properties may require more lighting

Section 4: Regarding sloping ceilings:

A. Ceiling height in each guestroom must be at least 2.3 metres throughout the standing/walking area

B. Where the ceiling is sloped, the slope must not remove more than twenty-five percent of the standing area

C. In the sloped area of the ceiling, the minimum height should be four feet six inches

D. Where basement stairs meet the basement floor, the beam overhead to the lowest stair nosing will be 1.95m.

Section 5:  Bedroom floor space:

Regarding bedroom floor space, not including closet or storage area:

• Single room - must be a minimum of 75 square feet
• Double room - must be a minimum of 90 square feet
• Three or more in one room - must have a minimum of 35 square feet per person

Section 6: Regarding bath facilities:

A. Are equipped with hot water

B. Must have one toilet, one sink and a tub/shower for four occupants (including the host family)

C. Must have at least two toilets with two sinks and a tub/shower for five to seven occupants (including the host family)

D. Must have at least two toilets with two sinks and two tubs/showers for eight to ten occupants (including the host family)

Section 7: Windows in Guest Facilities

Each guestroom must have a window which opens. The window must be not less than 0.35m squared and with no dimension less than 380mm. Minimum clearance past a window well not less than 550mm. The window must be large enough to provide escape in the case of an emergency and should be unobstructed, e.g. have no security bars

Section 8:  Breakfast

Breakfast, self-served or served, at a set table, must be provided to the guests as part of the room charge. It may be full or continental

A full breakfast includes:

• bread or cereal
• fruit
• hot and cold beverages
• protein (e.g. eggs, cheese, milk, cold meats, yogurt) is optional, but encouraged
• hot entree (e.g. containing meat, eggs, cheese, etc.)

A continental breakfast includes:

• bread or cereal
• fruit
• hot and cold beverages
• protein (e.g. eggs, cheese, milk, cold meats, yogurt) is optional, but encouraged

Section 9: 

Designated bed and breakfast bedrooms are for the exclusive use of the guests and must not contain any personal effects of the owners.

Section 10: 

Each member must assume full responsibility for meeting all applicable bed & breakfast business requirements such as:

• obtaining a development permit
• obtaining a business license
• meeting health regulations
• adhering to fire codes, in the local area
• any other permits as required by local municipality
• collecting and submitting hotel tax, if the member has four or more guestrooms
• collecting and submitting GST, if annual income from all sources of self-employment exceeds current government minimums
• adhering to all municipal regulations pertaining to the bed and breakfast industry which vary from one municipality to another

Section 11: Regarding insurance:

A. Liability insurance - Each member must carry adequate and current bed and breakfast liability insurance. A minimum of one million dollars is required

B. Insurance policy must indicate that bed and breakfast property (not just the home) is being insured

C. In the event the bed and breakfast operator provides transportation services, it is incumbent upon the operator to be licensed and insured in accordance with the law. Recommended minimum insurance: two million dollars

D. Each member will release ABBA from liability

Section 12: Security

Members are to provide facilities for their guests which maintain a safe and secure environment. The standards for guest security are as follows:

A. Each guestroom must have a unique keyed lock. Keyed dead bolts are recommended

B. All connecting guestroom doors must be equipped with an effective keyed locking device opening from both sides, e.g. double keyed dead bolts

C. All sliding patio doors must be equipped with an effective security device, e.g. a floor dead bolt

D. All ground floor doors must have a security lock, e.g. keyed dead bolts, keyed knob

E. Other doors on floors where there are balconies must have a security lock, e.g. keyed dead bolts, keyed knob

F. Each opening window in guestrooms must be equipped with a locking device

G. Each window must have a covering which ensures guest privacy in the bedroom and bathroom, e.g. blinds, curtains

Section 13: Exterior Appearance

The bed and breakfast must present a well-maintained exterior appearance. This includes:

A. Clear and safe access to the bed and breakfast premises, e.g. free of snow, mud, rubble, raised cracks in sidewalk.

B. Exterior in good repair with consideration of structural materials and surface finish, e.g. painted surfaces free of chips, cracks, peeling or dirt.

C. Grounds mowed, free of litter and weeds appropriate to the setting, e.g. recognizing some grounds in the rural areas are used for horse or cattle grazing and would not be mowed, weeded.

Section 14: Guest Parking

Each bed and breakfast must have adequate guest parking space in accordance with municipal regulations. One on-site (off-street) parking space for each licensed room is recommended

Section 15: Common Area

A common area for guest social interaction must be provided, e.g. guest lounge, living room. The space may be shared with host family

Section 16: Written Policies

Each member should have individually established, written policies on rates, pets, smoking, children, deposit, cancellations and fire evacuation displayed in the guestroom

Section 17: Guest Phone Messages

Each member must have provisions for taking guest or potential guest telephone messages when away from the bed and breakfast, e.g. a telephone answering machine, call display or call forward. A fax machine and/or e-mail is also recommended

Section 18: Inspection Requirements

Members must agree to inspection by a designate of ABBA, upon joining the Association, at appropriate intervals thereafter as deemed necessary by the general membership (e.g. every two years) and upon complaints