HAR §11-99-7. Construction requirements

(a) The facility shall be accessible to and functional for physically handicapped residents, personnel, and the public. (b) New construction and remodeling shall be guided by "Minimum Requirements of Construction and Equipment for Hospital and Medical Facilities DHEW #79-14500" as it existed in 1984. (1) Resident living areas shall be designed and equipped for the comfort and privacy of the resident. (2) Temperature and humidity shall be maintained within a normal comfort range. (3) There shall be provisions within the facility for one or more areas for resident dining, diversional, and social activities. Total §11-99-7 area for recreational and dining activities shall be not less than fifty square feet per resident. (A) Dayrooms of at least thirty square feet per resident shall be equipped with reading lamps, tables, chairs, or their equivalent, for the use and comfort of the residents. (B) Dining areas of at least twenty square feet per resident shall be equipped with tables and safe chairs. A sufficient number of tables shall be of proper height to accommodate wheelchair bound residents. (C) If a multi-purpose room is used for dining, diversional and social activities, there shall be sufficient space to accommodate all activities and prevent their interference with each other. (D) In the event that nonresidents utilize all or part of the facilities on a regular basis, additional space and facilities must be provided on the following basis for such persons: (i) Twenty square feet per person in dining areas; (ii) Thirty square feet per person in recreational areas; (iii) One conveniently located toilet for each eight persons; (iv) Sufficient additional staff persons shall be provided to care for the needs of such persons without compromising the care of the regular residents of the facility. (4) Illumination shall be provided for the comfort and safety of residents and personnel. (5) Wall or door mirrors shall be provided and placed at convenient heights for resident's use. (c) Accessibility to living and service areas. (1) There shall be adequate space to allow free movement of occupants using wheelchairs, §11-99-7 walkers, canes, and crutches to bed, bathroom, closet and common hallway areas. (2) Areas used for recreation, cooking, dining, storage, bathrooms, laundries, foyers, corridors, lanais, libraries, and other areas not suitable for sleeping shall not be used as bedrooms. (3) Access from each bedroom to a bathroom, toilet, corridor, central utility or other areas of the facility shall not require passing through another bedroom, cooking, dining, or recreation area. (4) All occupants of any bedroom shall be of the same sex, except for those semi-private rooms which may be occupied by a married couple upon request. (d) Toilet and bath facilities. (1) Each resident shall have access to a toilet, lavatory, and bathtub or shower on the same floor as the resident's bedroom. (2) One toilet room shall serve no more than eight beds. It shall contain a toilet and lavatory. The lavatory may be omitted from a toilet room which serves single and multi-bed rooms if each such resident's room contains a lavatory. (3) There shall be toilet and bathing facilities appropriate in number, size, and design to meet the needs of the residents. (4) Appropriately placed grab bars shall be provided in each toilet and bathtub or shower enclosure. (5) Curtains or doors to ensure privacy shall be provided. (6) An adequate supply of hot and cold potable running water must be provided at all times. Temperatures of hot water at plumbing fixtures used by residents shall be automatically regulated and shall not exceed 110˚F. (7) Toilet and bath facilities shall have a means of signaling staff in an emergency. (8) Where bedpans are used, equipment for their cleaning and sterilization shall be provided in an appropriate area of the facility. §11-99-7 (9) Provisions shall be made for sterilization of permanent personal care equipment unless disposables are used. (e) Resident bedrooms. (1) Each room shall be at or above grade level. (2) Windows in each bedroom shall have adequate means of ensuring privacy. (3) Multi-resident bedrooms shall have no more than four beds. (4) Single resident rooms shall measure at least ninety square feet of usable space, excluding closets, bathrooms, alcoves, and entryways. (5) Multi-resident bedrooms shall provide a minimum of seventy square feet per bed of usable space, excluding closets, bathrooms, alcoves, and entryways. (6) Bedside privacy shall be provided upon request or when caring for a resident in multi-resident bedrooms. An individual sheet blanket shall be used when bed baths are given. (7) Beds shall be placed at least three feet apart. (8) Each resident shall be provided with: (A) A separate bed of proper size and height for the convenience of the resident and permitting an individual in a wheelchair to get in and out of bed unassisted. (B) A mattress and a pillow in good condition both of which have been rendered relatively impermeable to liquids. (C) Sufficient clean bed linen and blankets to meet the resident's needs. (D) Appropriate furniture, cabinets, and closets, which shall be accessible to and usable by the physically handicapped. Doors on a closet or furniture shall contain locks if requested by a resident. (E) an effective means of signaling staff from resident's bedside. (f) Ramps shall be designed to permit use by residents in wheelchairs. Ramps shall meet the provision requirements of the Uniform Building Code