NAC449.7334. Doors, windows, ceilings, walls and floors.

     1. All rooms for occupancy by patients must be equipped with doors and hardware which permit access from the outside in any emergency.

     2. The minimum width of all doors to those rooms must be 3.66 feet (111.7 centimeters). Doors to the toilet rooms of patients and other rooms needing access for wheelchairs must have a minimum width of 2.83 feet (86.3 centimeters). Doors opening onto corridors must not swing into the corridor unless they lead to spaces that are not occupied.

     3. Windows and outer doors which may frequently be left open must be provided with screens for protection against insects.

     4. Safety glass or plastic glazing materials must be used for shower doors, bath enclosures and in doors and windows of rooms for patients.

     5. The height of a ceiling must be 8 feet (2.44 meters) in rooms which are occupied. Ceilings in storage rooms, corridors, toilet rooms and other minor rooms may have a height of 7.5 feet (2.29 meters) but may not have any projection lower than 7 feet (2.13 meters).

     6. Flooring materials must be easily cleaned and maintained in good repair. Floors in areas subject to wet cleaning must not be physically affected by germicidal and cleaning solutions. Nonslip surfaces must be provided for areas subject to traffic while wet. Wall bases in kitchens and operating and delivery rooms must be integrated with the floor.

     7. Wall finishes must be washable. Walls around plumbing fixtures must be resistant to moisture. Walls and floors must be free from cracks and holes.

     8. Ceilings must be easily cleaned. Areas for preparing food must have ceilings which cover all overhead piping and ductwork. Acoustical ceilings must be provided in corridors in patient areas, nurses’ stations, dayrooms, dining areas and waiting rooms. If acoustical ceilings cannot be provided, other methods of eliminating excessive noise and echoing must be used.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Health by R066-04, eff. 8-4-2004)