La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-7535

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-7535 - Physical Environment

A. Occupancy. The facility shall have written approval from the appropriate agency to verify compliance with Office of the State Fire Marshal.

B. Safety. The following are fundamental to the effective management of RHCs:

1. preventing, reporting and correcting threatening situations, equipment failures, and actual incidents that involve injury or damage to property;

2. proper safety management;

3. emergency preparedness;

4. proper storage and disposal of trash and medical waste;

5. proper temperature control, light and ventilation;

6. proper storage of drugs and cleaning material; and

7. clean and free of hazards;

a. bathrooms shall be vented to outside and have adequate soap, hand towels and hot water to promote infection control;

b. general appearance of facility shall be neat and clean;

8. exits shall not be obstructed and facility shall have:

a. a minimum of two exits spaced as widely apart as possible;

b. exit doors that are at least 34 inches wide but less than 48 inches;

c. exit corridors that are at least 44 inches wide and do not pass through a storage room, mechanical room, or kitchen;

d. clearly marked exits and exit pathways with exit signs and arrows;

e. adequate light at all times. If the facility is occupied at night, all exit signs must be internally lighted and corridors must have emergency light units;

f. doors which can be opened from inside the room or area without a key or special knowledge; and

g. exit signs over each exit door and also at every corridor junction. At least one exit sign must be visible from any location in the building;

9. locks:

a. no door equipped with a self closure device (except entry/exit doors) may ever be blocked open;

b. every lock must be operable from inside the room or area;

10. miscellaneous:

a. the facility shall have one fire extinguisher (minimum size 2A) for each 1500 square feet. It must be inspected and tagged annually; and, the gauge must show in the white, green, or "overcharged" areas. It may be Type A or Type ABC;

b. Any storage room over 50 square feet must have an automatic door closure device. No flammable liquids (such as gasoline, diesel, etc.) may be stored inside the facility. However, alcohol and cleaning supplies are allowed in reasonable quantities;

c. any compressed gas cylinder, regardless of type and/or amount of contents, must be on a rack or chained to avoid tipping;

d. - d.iii. Repealed.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-7535

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 25:1852 (October 1999), Amended by the Department of Health, Health Standards Section, LR 501281 (9/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 40:2197.