S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-102.H

Current through Register Vol. 48, 12, December 27, 2024

Section 61-102.H - Design and Construction

(1) General: Every facility must be planned, designed and equipped to provide adequate facilities for the care and comfort of each patient.

(2) Local and State Codes and Standards: Facilities shall substantially comply with pertinent local and state laws, codes, ordinances and standards with reference to design and construction. Birthing Centers are a "business occupancy" as defined in the Standard Building Code. No facility will be licensed unless the Department has assurance that responsible local officials sanction the licensing of the facility. The Department uses as its basic codes the Standard Building Code, the Standard Plumbing Code, the Standard Mechanical Code, and the National Electrical Code. Buildings designed in accordance with the above mentioned codes will be acceptable to the Department, provided, however, that the minimum requirements set forth in these standards are met. (II)

(3) Submission of Plans and Specifications:

(a) New Buildings, Additions or Major Alterations to Existing Buildings: When construction is contemplated either for new buildings, additions or major alterations to existing buildings, plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Department for review. Such plans and specifications shall be prepared by an architect registered in the State of South Carolina and shall bear his/her seal. These submissions shall be made in at least two stages: preliminary and final. All plans shall be drawn to scale with the title and date shown thereon. Construction work shall not be started until approval of the final drawings or written permission has been received from the Department. Any construction changes from the approved documents require approval by the Department. (II)

(b) Preliminary submission shall include the following:

(1) Plot plan showing size and shape of entire site; orientation and location of proposed building; location and description of any existing structures, adjacent streets, highways, sidewalks, railroads, et cetera, properly designated; size, characteristics and location of all existing public utilities, including information concerning water supply available for fire protection.

(2) Floor plans showing overall dimensions of buildings; locations, size and purpose of all rooms; location and size of doors, windows and other openings with swing of doors properly indicated; locations of smoke partitions and firewalls; locations of stairs, elevators, dumbwaiters, vertical shafts and chimneys.

(3) Outline specifications listing a general description of construction including interior finishes and mechanical systems.

(c) Final submission shall include the following: Complete working drawings and contract specifications, including layouts for plumbing, air conditioning, ventilation and electrical work and complete fire protection layout.

(d) In construction delayed for a period exceeding 12 months from the time of approval of final submission, a new evaluation and/or approval is required.

(e) One complete set of as built drawings shall be filed with DHEC.

(4) Licensure of Existing Structures: When an existing structure is contemplated for licensure as a new facility or as an expansion to an existing facility, the following submittals shall be made to the Department: (II) (All plans shall be neatly prepared and drawn to scale with the title and date shown thereon.)

(a) Plot plan in accordance with H. (3)(b)(1).

(b) Floor plan(s) in accordance with H. (3)(b)(2).

(c) Description of construction including outside walls, partitions, floor, ceiling and roof. The method of heating and cooling shall also be included.

(5) Minor Alterations in Licensed Facilities: When alterations are contemplated that may affect life safety, preliminary drawings and specifications, accompanied by a narrative completely describing the proposed work, shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval to insure that the proposed alterations comply with current safety and building standards.

(6) Location:

(a) Environment: The facility shall be located in an environment that is conducive to the type of care and services provided.

(b) Transportation: The facility must be served by roads which are passable at all times and are adequate for the volume of expected traffic.

(c) Parking: The facility shall have parking space to satisfy the minimum needs of patients, employees, staff and visitors.

(d) Communications: A telephone must be provided on each floor used by patients and additional telephones or extensions must be provided, as required, to summon help in case of fire or other emergency. Pay station telephones are not acceptable for this purpose.

(7) Physical Facilities:

(a) Birthing rooms shall have at least a gross floor space of 120 square feet with a minimum room dimension of 10 feet.

(b) Birthing rooms shall be located to provide unimpeded, rapid access to an exit of the building which will accommodate emergency transportation vehicles and equipment.

(c) Adequate fixed or portable work surface areas shall be maintained for use in each birthing room.

(d) Toilet and bathing facilities:

(1) A toilet and lavatory shall be provided in the immediate vicinity of the birthing room.

(2) A bathing facility shall be available for the mother's use.

(e) Doors providing access into the birthing center and birthing room(s) shall be at least 44 inches wide to accommodate maneuvering of ambulance stretchers and wheelchairs and other emergency equipment. Hallways shall be at least 48 inches wide.

(f) Heating and ventilation:

(1) Lighting, heating, and ventilation systems shall comply with the local and state codes. There shall be approved equipment capable for maintaining a minimum temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature of 76 degrees Fahrenheit in patient areas.

(2) Mechanically operated systems shall be used to supply air to and exhaust air from soiled workrooms or soiled storage areas, janitor's closets, toilet rooms, and from spaces which are not provided with operable windows or outside doors.

(g) The entrance shall be at grade level or above, be sheltered from the weather and accommodate wheelchairs.

(h) Multipurpose room(s) shall be available for interviews, education, training, and other purposes.

(i) There shall be adequate general storage space for office, sterile supplies and other storage. There shall be a work counter for charting purposes.

(j) Sufficient janitor's closets shall be provided throughout the facility as required to maintain a clean and sanitary environment. Each shall contain a floor receptor or service sink and storage space for housekeeping equipment and supplies.

(k) A clean work area shall contain space for handwashing and clean storage and may include clean linen storage.

(l) There shall be at least two exits remote from each other.

(m) Items such as drinking fountains, machines, and portable equipment or any other items shall not be located in the required exit corridors to restrict corridor traffic.

(n) Thresholds and expansion joint covers shall be made sufficiently flush with the floor surface to accommodate wheeled service carts, wheelchairs, gurneys, etc.

(o) All corridor glazing materials that extend within 18 inches of the floor shall be of safety glass, plastic, wireglass, or other material that will resist breaking and will not create dangerous cutting edges when broken. Safety glass or plastic glazing materials shall be used for any shower doors or bath enclosures.

(p) Cubicle curtains and draperies shall be noncombustible or rendered flame retardant.

(q) Wall finishes shall be washable and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures, shall be smooth and moisture resistant.

(r) Wall bases in soiled equipment and material workrooms and other areas which are frequently subject to wet cleaning methods shall be tightly sealed and constructed without voids that can harbor insects.

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

(t) Interior finish materials shall comply with these flame spread limitations:

(1) Floor, walls, and ceilings in exit ways and storage rooms containing flammable storage materials and in other rooms of unusual fire hazard such as furnace rooms shall have a flame spread rating of 75 or less (ASTM Standard E84) and a smoke production rating of .45 watts or less.

(2) Building insulation materials, unless sealed on all sides and edges, shall have a flame spread rating of 25 or less and a smoke developed rating of 150 or less.

(u) A special unit or area for transitional care shall be provided for increased observation of the infant while stabilizing vital signs, i.e., respiration, temperature, and body weight, or for acute supportive care prior to transfer to referral facilities.

(v) Adequate space for the storage, handling and/or preparation of formulas.

(8) Water Supply and Plumbing:

(a) Water Supply: Water shall be obtained from a community water system and shall be distributed to conveniently located taps and fixtures throughout the facility and shall be adequate in volume and pressure for all purposes including fire fighting. (II)

(b) Plumbing:

(1) All plumbing material and plumbing systems or parts thereof installed shall meet the minimum requirements of the Standard Plumbing Code.

(2) All plumbing shall be installed in such a manner as to prevent back siphonage or cross-connections between potable and non-potable water supplies. (II)

(3) There shall be access to a sink with hot and cold running water with elbow/wrist controls.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-102.H