10A NCAC 13C .1404. DETAILS AND FINISHES

All details and finishes must meet the following requirements:

(1)           Details

(a)           The type of construction shall meet the requirement of the current edition of the North Carolina State Building Code for "Business Occupancy‑(B)," except that in the construction of new facilities required exit doors to stairs or to the outside shall be no less than 44" wide doors.

(b)           Exit corridors, in addition to meeting the appropriate requirements of the North Carolina State Building Code, shall:

(i)            be no less than 7'0" clear width between doors from the recovery area or operating rooms and required exit doors; or

(ii)           if in a one‑story building or on the ground floor of a multi‑story building and is less than 7'0" clear width be so arranged as to allow a stretcher to exit from the recovery area or operating room directly into the corridor without turning and move to the required exit without having to make a turn.

(c)           Doors between preoperative preparation, operating rooms and recovery areas and recovery rooms and corridors shall be no less than 44" wide.  All recovery areas shall have at least one door opening to an exit passage way meeting the requirements of (b)(i) and (b)(ii) of this Rule.

(d)           Items such as drinking fountains, telephone booths, vending machines, and portable equipment shall be located so as not to restrict corridor traffic or reduce the corridor width below the required minimum.

(e)           No doors shall swing into corridors in a manner that might obstruct traffic flow or reduce the required corridor width except doors to spaces such as small closets which are not subject to occupancy.

(f)            Thresholds and expansion joint covers shall be made flush with the floor surface to facilitate use of wheelchairs and carts.

(g)           Single use towel dispensers or air driers shall be provided at all handwashing fixtures except scrub sinks.

(h)           All other rooms shall have not less than 8'0" (2.44 m.) high ceilings except that corridors, storage rooms, toilet rooms, and other minor rooms may be not less than 7'‑8" (2.34 m.).  Suspended tracks, rails, pipes, etc., located in the path of normal traffic, shall be not less than 7'‑6" (2.28 m.) above the floor.

(2)           Finishes

(a)           Floors shall be easily cleanable and have wear resistance appropriate for the locations involved.  Joints in tile and similar material in such areas shall be resistant to food acids.

(b)           Wall bases in operating rooms, soiled workrooms, and other areas subject to frequent wet cleaning shall be integral and covered with the floor, tightly sealed within the wall, and constructed without voids that can harbor vermin.

(c)           Walls shall be washable; and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures, the finish shall be smooth, moisture resistant, and easily cleaned.

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

(e)           Ceilings in operating rooms shall be readily washable and without crevices that can retain dirt particles.  Finished ceilings may be omitted in mechanical and equipment spaces, shops, general storage areas, and similar spaces except where required for fire rating.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E‑149;

Eff. October 14, 1978;

Amended Eff. November 1, 1989; December 24, 1979.