Section 22-B2036. BUILDING SYSTEMS

 

2036.1Hospitals shall have building systems that are designed, installed and operated in such a manner as to provide for the safety, comfort, and well being of the patient.

 

2036.2Water and Sewer Systems: The hospital shall have and maintain an accessible, adequate, safe and potable supply of water. Where an authorized public water supply of satisfactory quantity, quality, and pressure is available, the hospital shall be connected to it and its supply used exclusively.

 

2036.3The collection, treatment, storage, and distribution potable water system of a hospital shall be constructed, maintained, and operated in accordance with all provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act, approved December 16, 1974 (88 Stat. 1660; 42 U.S.C.S. §§ 300f et seq.).

 

2036.4The water distribution system shall be protected with anti-siphon devices, and air-gaps to prevent potable water system and equipment contamination.

 

2036.5Continuously circulated filtered and treated water systems shall be provided as required for the care and treatment equipment used in the hospital.

 

2036.6The hospital shall maintain a sanitary and functioning sewage system.

 

2036.7Hot Water System: The hot water system shall have the capacity to provide continuous hot water at temperatures as required by these regulations.

 

2036.8Heating and Cooling Systems: The hospital shall provide a heating and air conditioning system for the comfort of the patient and capable of maintaining the temperature in patient care and treatment areas as follows:

 

2036.9In existing and new facilities the systems shall be capable of producing a temperature of at least seventy degrees Fahrenheit (70°F) during heating conditions and a temperature that does not exceed eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit (85°F) during cooling conditions.

 

2036.10In new construction the systems shall be capable of producing a temperature of at least seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75°F) during heating conditions and a temperature that does not exceed eighty degrees Fahrenheit (80°F) during cooling conditions.

 

2036.11In new construction and new facilities, central air distribution and return systems shall have the following percent dust spot rated filters:

 

(a)General areas: thirty (30) +%; and

 

(b)Care, treatment, and treatment processing areas: ninety (90) +%.

 

2036.12Surgical areas shall have heating and cooling systems that are capable of producing room temperatures at a range between sixty-eight (68°F) and seventy-three degrees Fahrenheit (73°F) and humidity at a range between thirty (30) and sixty percent (60%) relative humidity.

 

2036.13Airflow shall move from clean to soiled locations. In new construction, air movement shall be designed to reduce the potential of contamination of clean areas.

 

2036.14Floors in operating rooms, procedure rooms and other locations subject to wet cleaning methods or body fluids shall not have openings to the heating and cooling system.

 

2036.15Ventilation System: All hospitals shall provide exhaust and clean air to prevent the concentrations of contaminants which impair health or cause discomfort to patients and employees.

 

(a)Existing facilities shall have adequate ventilation.

 

(b)New construction and new facilities shall provide a mechanical exhaust ventilation system for windowless toilets, baths, laundry rooms, housekeeping rooms, kitchens and similar rooms at ten air changes per hour.

 

(c)New construction shall provide mechanical ventilation system(s) capable of providing air changes per hour (hereafter "ACH") as follows:

 

(A)Care and treatment areas: five (5) ACH;

 

(B)Procedure and airborne isolation areas: fifteen (15) ACH; and

 

(C)Operating rooms: twenty (20) ACH.

 

(d)Hospitals shall provide an emergency backup ventilation system for all patient rooms without operable windows.

 

2036.16Electrical System: The hospital shall have an electrical system that has sufficient capacity to maintain the care and treatment services that are provided and that properly grounds care and treatment areas.

 

(a)New construction and new facilities shall have ground fault circuit interrupters protected outlets in wet areas and within six (6) feet of sinks.

 

(b)All facilities shall provide the minimum average illumination levels as follows:

 

(1)General purpose areas: five (5) foot candles;

 

(2)General corridors: ten (10) foot candles;

 

(3)Personal care and dining areas: twenty (20) foot candles;

 

(4)Reading and activity areas: thirty (30) foot candles;

 

(5)Food preparation areas: forty (40) foot candles;

 

(6)Hazardous work surfaces: fifty (50) foot candles;

 

(7)Care and treatment locations: seventy (70) foot candles;

 

(8)Examination task lighting: one hundred (100) foot candles;

 

(9)Procedure task lighting: two hundred (200) foot candles;

 

(10)Surgery task lighting: one thousand (1000) foot candles; and

 

(11)Reduced night lighting in patient rooms and corridors.

 

2036.17Essential Power System: Facilities shall have an emergency power generator for all care and treatment locations which involve general anesthetics or electrical life support equipment, and in emergency procedure and treatment rooms.

 

(a)Existing and new facilities shall maintain emergency power for essential care and treatment equipment and lighting, medical gas systems, and nurse call systems.

 

(b)New construction shall maintain emergency power for essential care and treatment equipment and lighting, medical gas systems, ventilation and heating systems, and nurse call systems.

 

(c)Facilities with electrical life support equipment shall maintain essential power systems with an on-site fuel source. The minimum fuel source capacity shall allow for non-interrupted system operation.

 

2036.18Call Systems: Call systems shall be operable from patient beds (except at psychiatric or mental hospital beds), procedure and operating rooms, and recovery bed and toilet locations. The system shall transmit a receivable (visual, audible, tactile, or other) signal to on-duty staff which readily notifies and directs the staff to the location where the call was activated.

 

In addition:

 

(a)In new construction the call system shall have a dedicated emergency call device which allows activation by a patient from treatment rooms and cubicles, and toilet and bathing fixtures.

 

(b)In locations where patients are unable to activate the call, a dedicated staff assist or code call device shall promptly summon other staff for assistance.

 

2036.19Medical Gas System: The hospital shall safely provide medical gas and vacuum by means of portable equipment or building systems as required by patient receiving care and treatment. In addition:

 

(a)The installation, testing, and certification of nonflammable medical gas, clinical vacuum, and air systems shall comply with the requirements of the Life Safety Code (National Fire Protection Association 101).

 

(b)The hospital shall identify portable and system components, and periodically test and approve all medical gas piping, alarms, valves, and equipment for patient care and treatment. The hospital shall document such approvals for review and reference.

 

source

Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 8813 (August 15, 2008).