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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 22. HEALTH |
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SubTilte 22-B. PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICINE |
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Chapter 22-B32. NURSING FACILITIES |
Section 22-B3234. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
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3234.1Each facility shall be designed, constructed, located, equipped, and maintained to provide a functional, healthful, safe, comfortable, and supportive environment for each resident, employee and the visiting public.
3234.2Each facility shall comply with applicable provisions of the BOCA National Building Code; the BOCA International Plumbing Code; the BOCA International Mechanical Code; the NFPA National Elevator Code and other applicable federal and District of Columbia laws, as provided in this chapter. Any other provision of this chapter related to environmental requirements shall not apply to a facility that is licensed on the effective date of these rules and provides evidence that compliance would require major renovation.
3234.3The physical plant shall provide maximum environmental support for the goals of each service that is offered and shall be responsive to the needs of each resident, employee, and the visiting public.
3234.4The provision of space and the way in which the facility is equipped, furnished, and maintained shall provide a home-like setting for each resident while providing the staff a pleasant and functional working environment.
3234.5Utilization of decoration, color, and furnishings shall be designed in order to minimize the institutional character of the facility.
3234.6The limited mobility of each resident shall be considered in designating uses and proximity relationships for various rooms in the facility.
3234.7The facility shall provide one (1) or more rooms designated for resident social, recreational, and dining activities which shall be:
(a)Easily accessible from each resident's bedroom;
(b)Well ventilated with designated smoking areas identified;
(c)Adequately furnished; and
(d)Have sufficient space to accommodate all activities.
3234.8The facility and its lighting system shall be designed, equipped and maintained to avoid high brightness, highly reflective surfaces and glare.
3234.9Lighting levels throughout the facility shall conform to the minimum lighting level, as set forth in 3234.9, provided that the facility shall provide any additional lighting level as may be needed by residents with visual impairments and as may be needed for special tasks.
3234.10The following minimum lighting levels shall be used throughout the facility:
MINIMUM LIGHTING LEVELS (FOOT-CANDLES ON THE TASK)
(AREA/ACTIVITY)
(FOOT CANDLES)
Barber/Beauty area
50
Corridors:
20
Nursing areas - day
10
Nursing areas - night
50
Dietary
15
Elevators
50
Examination room
50
Employee Lounge
20
Employee Locker Room
30
Linens:
30
Sorting soiled linens
10
Central (clean) linen supply
15
Linens rooms/closets
20
Janitor closet
30
Lobby:
50
General
50
Receptionist
50
Administrative spaces:
30
General office
30
Medical records
50
Conference/interview area/room
50
Mechanical/electrical room/space
50
Nursing station:
20
General
10
Desk
30
Medication area
50
Nourishment center
15
Corridors - day
30
Corridors - night
30
Occupational therapy
30
Work area, general
15
Work benches/tables
30
Resident room:
30
General
30
Reading/bed
15
Toilet
20
Physical Therapy
30
Resident Lounge:
General
15
Reading
30
Resident dining
30
Speech therapy
30
Stairways
15
Storage, general
20
Toilet/shower/bath
30
3234.10Every habitable room shall contain windows of size, area, and specifications in accordance with the 1996 BOCA National Building Code.
3234.11In habitable rooms, windows shall be of openable type, with sills no higher than three (3) feet above the floor.