| (B) Back-flow or siphoning. All plumbing fixtures and equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the back-flow or back-siphonage of any material into the water supply. The over-the-rim type water inlet shall be used wherever possible. Vacuum-breaking devices shall be properly installed when an over-the-rim type water inlet cannot be utilized. (C) Sterilizing equipment. All sterilizing equipment shall be designed and installed to prevent the contamination of the water supply, and the entrance of contaminating materials into the sterilizing units. (D) Hose attachment. No hose shall be affixed to any faucet if the end of the hose may become submerged in contaminated liquid unless the faucet is equipped with an approved, properly installed vacuum breaker. (E) Bedpan washers and sterilizers. When provided, bedpan washers and sterilizers shall be designed and installed so that both hot and cold water inlets shall be protected against back-siphonage at maximum water level. (F) Flood level rim clearance. The water supply spouts for lavatories and sinks required in patient care areas shall be mounted so that their discharge points are a minimum of five inches above the rim of the fixture. (G) Scrub sink controls. Freestanding scrub sinks and lavatories used for scrubbing in procedure rooms shall be trimmed with foot, knee, or electronic hands-free controls. Single lever wrist blades are not acceptable at scrub sinks. (H) Floor drains or floor sinks. Where floor drains or floor sinks are installed, they shall be of a type that can be easily cleaned by removal of the cover. Removable stainless steel mesh shall be provided in addition to a grilled drain cover to prevent entry of large particles of waste which might cause stoppages. (I) Under counter piping. Under counter piping and above floor drains shall be arranged (raised) so as not to interfere with cleaning of the floor below the equipment. (J) Ice machines. All ice-making machines used for human consumption shall be of the self-dispensing type. Copper tubing shall be provided for supply connections to ice machines. (i) General electrical requirements. This subsection contains common electrical and essential emergency system requirements. All electrical installation and equipment shall meet the requirements of the local building codes, ordinances and this subsection. (1) Electrical requirements. All electrical material and equipment, including conductors, controls, and signaling devices, shall be installed in compliance with applicable sections of the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, 2002 Edition, §517; NFPA 99, Chapter 14; the requirements of this subsection; and as necessary to provide a complete electrical system. Electrical systems and components shall be listed by nationally recognized listing agencies as complying with available standards and shall be installed in accordance with the listings and manufacturer's instructions. (A) All fixtures, switches, sockets, and other pieces of apparatus shall be maintained in a safe and working condition. (B) Extension cords and cables shall not be used for permanent wiring. (C) All electrical heating devices shall be equipped with a pilot light to indicate when the device is in service, unless equipped with a temperature limiting device integral with the heater. (D) All equipment, fixtures, and appliances shall be properly grounded in accordance with NFPA 70. (E) Under counter electrical installations shall be arranged (raised) to not interfere with cleaning the floor below the equipment. (2) Electrical safeguards. Shielded isolation transformers, voltage regulators, filters, surge suppressors, and other safeguards shall be provided as required where power line disturbances are likely to affect fire alarm components, data processing, equipment used for treatment, and automated laboratory diagnostic equipment. (3) Services and switchboards. Main switchboards shall be located in separate rooms, separated from adjacent areas with one-hour fire-rated enclosures containing only electrical switchgear and distribution panels and shall be accessible to authorized persons only. These rooms shall be ventilated to provide an environment free of corrosive or explosive fumes and gases, or any flammable and combustible materials. Switchboards shall be located convenient for use and readily accessible for maintenance as required by NFPA 70, Article 384. Overload protective devices shall operate properly in ambient temperatures. (4) Wiring. All conductors for controls, equipment, lighting and power operating at 100 volts or higher shall be installed in metal or metallic raceways in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 70, Article 517. All surface mounted wiring operating at less than 100 volts shall be protected from mechanical injury with metal raceways to a height of seven feet above the floor. Conduits and cables shall be supported in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 300. (5) Lighting. (A) Consideration shall be given to controlling light intensity and wavelength to prevent harm to the patient's eyes. (B) Approaches to buildings and parking lots, and all spaces within buildings shall have fixtures that can be illuminated as necessary. All rooms including storerooms, electrical and mechanical equipment rooms, and all attics shall have sufficient artificial lighting so that all spaces are clearly visible. (C) The special needs of the elderly shall be considered. The facility shall minimize excessive contrast in lighting levels that makes effective sight adaptation difficult. (D) Electric lamps, which may be subject to breakage or which are installed in fixtures in confined locations when near woodwork, paper, clothing, or other combustible materials, shall be protected by wire guards, or plastic shields. (E) Ceiling mounted surgical and examination light fixtures shall be suspended from rigid support structures mounted above the ceiling. (6) Receptacles. Only listed hospital grade single-grounding or duplex-grounding receptacles shall be used in the trauma, treatment, exam, diagnostic, imaging rooms, and all patient care areas. This does not apply to special purpose receptacles. (A) Electrical receptacles powered from the emergency generator shall be colored red. (B) Replacement of malfunctioning receptacles and installation of new receptacles powered from the critical branch in existing facilities shall be installed or replaced with receptacles of the same distinct color as the existing receptacles. (C) In locations where mobile X-ray or other equipment requiring special electrical configuration is used, the additional receptacles shall be distinctively marked for the special use. (D) Each receptacle shall be grounded to the reference grounding point by means of a green insulated copper equipment grounding conductor in accordance with NFPA 70, §517-13. (E) Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) receptacles shall be provided for all general use receptacles located within three feet of a wash basin or sink. When GFCI receptacles are used, they shall be connected to not affect other devices connected to the circuit in the event of a trip. (7) Nurse's calling systems. (A) A nurse's emergency calling system shall be installed in all treatment room/area station(s), exam rooms/area station(s), isolation room(s), patient holding stations, imaging, diagnostic and patient toilet room(s) to summon nursing staff in an emergency. Activation of the system shall sound a distinct audible signal which repeats every five seconds or less at the nurse station, indicate the type and location of call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal in all areas. The activation of the system shall also activate distinct visible signals in the clean workroom, soiled workroom, and if provided, in the nourishment station. The visible and audible signals shall be cancelable only at the patient calling station. A nurse's emergency call system shall be accessible to a collapsed patient lying on the floor. Inclusion of a pull cord extending to within 6 inches of the floor will satisfy this requirement. (B) A staff emergency assistance calling system station shall be located in each treatment room/area, examination room/area, trauma room/area, and holding room/area to be used by staff to summon additional help in an emergency. Activation of the system shall sound an audible signal at a staffed location, indicate type and location of call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal in the corridor at the door. Additional visible signals shall be installed at corridor intersections in multi-corridor facilities. Distinct visible and audible signals shall be activated in the clean workroom, in soiled workroom, equipment storage, and if provided, in the nourishment station. (8) The pre-existing facility shall have an emergency contingency plan for the continuity of emergency essential building systems. The emergency contingency plan shall consist of one of the two options in this paragraph. Cont'd... |
