51.200—Physical environment.
The facility management must be designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect the health and safety of residents, personnel and the public.
(a) Life safety from fire.
The facility must meet the applicable provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2009 edition), except that the requirement in paragraph 19.3.5.1 for all buildings containing nursing homes to have an automatic sprinkler system is not applicable until August 13, 2013, unless an automatic sprinkler system was previously required by the Life Safety Code and the NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities (2005 edition). Incorporation by reference of these materials was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. These materials incorporated by reference are available for inspection at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Regulation Policy and Management (02REG), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420, call 202-461-4902, or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Copies may be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. (For ordering information, call toll-free 1-800-344-3555.)
(b) Emergency power.
(1)
An emergency electrical power system must be provided to supply power adequate for illumination of all exit signs and lighting for the means of egress, fire alarm and medical gas alarms, emergency communication systems, and generator task illumination.
(2)
The system must be the appropriate type essential electrical system in accordance with the applicable provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2009 edition) and the NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities (2005 edition). Incorporation by reference of these materials was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability of these materials is described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(3)
When electrical life support devices are used, an emergency electrical power system must also be provided for devices in accordance with NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities (2005 edition).
(4)
The source of power must be an on-site emergency standby generator of sufficient size to serve the connected load or other approved sources in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association's NFPA 101, Life Safety Code (2009 edition) and the NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities (2005 edition). Incorporation by reference of these materials was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. The availability of these materials is described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(1)
Provide sufficient space and equipment in dining, health services, recreation, and program areas to enable staff to provide residents with needed services as required by these standards and as identified in each resident's plan of care; and
(2)
Maintain all essential mechanical, electrical, and patient care equipment in safe operating condition.
(d) Resident rooms.
Resident rooms must be designed and equipped for adequate nursing care, comfort, and privacy of residents:
(v)
Measure at least 305 net square feet in large double resident bedrooms used for spinal cord injury residents. It is recommended that the facility have one large double resident bedroom for every 30 resident bedrooms.
(viii)
Except in private rooms, each bed must have ceiling suspended curtains, which extend around the bed to provide total visual privacy in combination with adjacent walls and curtains;
(iv)
Functional furniture appropriate to the resident's needs, and individual closet space in the resident's bedroom with clothes racks and shelves accessible to the resident.
(e) Toilet facilities.
Each resident room must be equipped with or located near toilet and bathing facilities. It is recommended that public toilet facilities be also located near the resident's dining and recreational areas.
(f) Resident call system.
The nurse's station must be equipped to receive resident calls through a communication system from—
(g) Dining and resident activities.
The facility management must provide one or more rooms designated for resident dining and activities. These rooms must—
(h) Other environmental conditions.
The facility management must provide a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for the residents, staff and the public. The facility must—
(1)
Establish procedures to ensure that water is available to essential areas when there is a loss of normal water supply;
(2)
Have adequate outside ventilation by means of windows, or mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two;