3234. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

3234 ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 3234.1 Each 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. 3234.2 Each 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. 3234.3 The 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. 3234.4 The 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. 3234.5 Utilization of decoration, color, and furnishings shall be designed in order to minimize the institutional character of the facility. 3234.6 The limited mobility of each resident shall be considered in designating uses and proximity relationships for various rooms in the facility. 3234.7 The 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. 3234.8 The facility and its lighting system shall be designed, equipped and maintained to avoid high brightness, highly reflective surfaces and glare. 3234.9 Lighting 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. 3234.10 The 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 3234.10 Every habitable room shall contain windows of size, area, and specifications in accordance with the 1996 BOCA National Building Code. 3234.11 In habitable rooms, windows shall be of openable type, with sills no higher than three (3) feet above the floor. SOURCE: Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 473 (January 18, 2002).