10A NCAC 13B .6101. GENERAL

The design, construction, maintenance and operation of a facility shall be in accordance with those codes and standards listed in Rule .6102, LIST OF REFERENCED CODES AND STANDARDS of this Section, and codes, ordinances, and regulations enforced by city, county, or other state jurisdictions with the following requirements:

(1)           Notify the Division when all construction or renovation has been completed, inspected and approved by the architect and engineer having responsibility, and the facility is ready for a final inspection.  Prior to using the completed project, the facility shall receive from the Division written approval for use.  The approval shall be based on an on-site inspection by the Division or by documentation as may be required by the Division;

(2)           In the absence of any requirements by other authorities having jurisdiction, develop a master fire and disaster plan with input from the local fire department and local emergency management agency to fit the needs of the facility.  The plan shall require:

(a)           Training of facility employees in the fire plan implementation, in the use of fire-fighting equipment, and in evacuation of patients and staff from areas in danger during an emergency condition;

(b)           Conducting of quarterly fire drills on each shift;

(c)           A written record of each drill shall be on file at the facility for at least three years;

(d)           The testing and evaluation of the emergency electrical system(s) once each year by simulating a utility power outage by opening of the main facility electrical breaker(s).  Documentation of the testing and results shall be completed at the time of the test and retained by the facility for three years; and

(e)           Disaster planning to fit the specific needs of the facility's geographic location and disaster history, with at least one documented disaster drill conducted each year.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E-79;

Eff. January 1, 1996.