SECTION 310:661-8-10. Details and Finishes

(a)   A high degree of safety for the patients shall be provided to minimize the incidence of accidents with special consideration for patients who will be ambulatory, to assist them in self-care. (b) Hazards such as sharp corners shall be avoided. All details and finishes for modernization projects as well as for new construction shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)   All rooms containing bathtubs, sitz baths, showers, and water closets, subject to occupancy by patients, shall be equipped with doors and hardware which will permit access from the outside in any emergency. When such rooms have only one (1) opening or are small, the door shall be capable of opening outwards or be otherwise designed to be opened without need to push against a patient who may have collapsed within the room.

(2)   The minimum width of all doors to rooms needing access for beds or stretchers shall be three feet eight inches (3' 8"). Doors to patient toilet rooms and other rooms needing access for wheelchairs shall have a minimum clear width of 32 inches.

(3)   Windows and outer doors shall not be left in an open position unless provided with insect screens.

(4)   Windows and/or screening devices shall be designed to prevent accidental falls when open.

(5)   Door(s) shall not swing into corridors in a manner that might obstruct traffic flow or reduce the required corridor width. All door handles shall be approved lever type.

(6)   Grab bars shall be provided at all patients' toilets, showers, tubs, and sitz baths.

(7)   Recessed soap dishes shall be provided in showers and bathrooms, or soap dispensers may be substituted.

(8)   Lavatories and hand washing facilities shall be securely anchored to withstand an applied vertical load of not less than two hundred fifty (250) pounds on the front of the fixture.

(9)   Mirrors shall be arranged for convenient use by patients in wheelchairs as well as by patients in a standing position. All lavatories shall have mirrors except those in kitchens.

(10)   Paper towel and soap dispensers and waste receptacles shall be provided at all hand washing facilities in public, staff locations and patient areas.

(11)   Ceiling heights shall be as follows:

(A)   Boiler rooms shall have ceiling clearances not less than two feet six inches (2' 6") above the main boiler header and connecting piping.

(B)   Rooms containing ceiling-mounted equipment shall have height required to accommodate the equipment.

(C)   All rooms shall not have less than eight foot (8' 0") ceilings except that corridors, storage rooms, toilet rooms, and other minor rooms may be not less than seven feet eight inches (7' 8"). Suspended tracks, rails, and pipes located in the path of normal traffic shall not be less than six feet eight inches (6' 8") above the floor.

(D)   Kitchens shall have a minimum eight foot (8' 0") ceiling height and be air-conditioned.

(12)   Spaces where impact noises may be generated shall not be located directly over or adjacent to patient bed areas unless special provisions are made to minimize such noise to a Noise Isolation Class (NIC) of not less than forty-five (45).

(13)   Rooms containing heat producing equipment (such as boiler or heater rooms, and laundries) shall be insulated and ventilated to prevent any floor surface above from exceeding a temperature of 10°F. (60C.) above the ambient room temperature.

(14)   Indicators shall be placed on all doors leading to hazardous areas, such as knurled knobs or signs.

(15)   The hospice shall eliminate fire and smoke hazards. The hospice shall not use pillows, mattresses, pads, padded furniture, carpeting, or other furnishings, which contain urethane foams, which are not fire retardant.

(c)   Hospice Finish Requirements

(1)   Floor materials shall be easily cleanable and have wear resistance appropriate for the location involved. Floors in areas used for food preparation or food assembly shall be water resistant and grease proof. Points in tile and similar material in such areas shall be resistant to food acids. In all areas frequently subject to wet cleaning methods, floor materials shall not be physically affected by germicidal and cleaning solutions. Floors that are subject to traffic while wet (such as shower and bath areas, kitchens, and similar work areas) shall have a no slip surface.

(2)   Wall bases in kitchens, soiled workrooms, and other areas which are frequently subject to wet cleaning methods shall be made integral and covered with the floor, tightly sealed with the wall, and constructed without voids that can harbor insects.

(3)   Wall finishes shall be washable and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures, shall be smooth and moisture resistant. Finish, trim, and wall and floor constructions in dietary and food preparation areas shall be free from spaces that can harbor rodents and insects.

(4)   Floor and wall penetrations by pipes, ducts, and conduits shall be tightly sealed to minimize entry of rodents and insects. Joints of structural elements shall be similarly sealed.

(5)   Ceilings throughout shall be easily cleanable. Ceilings in the dietary and food preparation areas shall have a finished washable ceiling covering all overhead piping and ductwork; a smooth surface drywall or plaster type ceiling shall be required. Finished ceilings may be omitted in mechanical and equipment spaces, shops, general storage areas, and similar spaces, unless required for fire-resistive purposes.

(6)   All buildings that have patients' facilities (such as bedrooms, dining rooms, or recreation areas) or critical services (such as diagnostic or therapy) located on other than the main entrance floor shall have electric or electro hydraulic elevators.

(A)   At least one (1) hospital type elevator shall be installed where patients are located on any floor other than the main entrance floor.

(B)   Cars and platforms. Cars of hospital type elevators shall have inside dimensions that will accommodate a patient bed and attendants, and shall be at least five feet (5' 0") wide by seven feet six inches (7' 6") deep. The car door shall have a clear opening of not less than three feet eight inches (3' 8").

(C)   Leveling. Elevators shall be equipped with an automatic leveling device of the two-way automatic maintaining type with an accuracy of one-half (1/2) inch.

(D)   Operation. Elevators, except freight elevators, shall be equipped with a two-way special service keyed switch to permit cars to bypass all landing button calls and be dispatched directly to any floor.

(E)   Elevator controls, alarm buttons, controls, and telephones shall be accessible to wheelchair occupants.

(F)   Elevator call buttons, controls, and door safety stops shall be of a type that will not be activated by heat or smoke.

(G)   At least one (1) elevator should be on the emergency power system of the hospice.

(H)   Elevator door closing devices should be timed to accommodate the needs of the residents served.

(I)   Field Inspection and Tests. Inspections and tests shall be made and the owner shall be furnished written certification that the installation meets the requirements set forth in this Section and all applicable safety regulations and codes.

[Source: Added at 21 Ok Reg 1303, eff 5-27-04]