The physical plant shall provide equipment to carry out the functions of the clinic with the following requirements:

1. (1) Mechanical requirements.

   1. (a) All fans serving exhaust systems shall be located at the discharge end of the system.
   2. (b) The ventilation system shall be designed and balanced to provide the pressure relationships detailed in Sub-Item (f) of this Rule.
   3. (c) All ventilation or air conditioning systems shall have a minimum of one filter bed with a minimum filter efficiency of a MERV 8.
   4. (d) Ventilation systems serving the procedure rooms shall not be tied in with toilets, soiled holding, or janitors' closets if the air is to be recirculated in any manner.
   5. (e) Air handling duct systems shall not have duct linings.

   6. (f) The following general air pressure relationships to adjacent areas and ventilation rates shall apply:

      Area Pressure Relationship Minimum Total Air

      Changes/Hour

      Toilets N 4

      Janitor's closet N 6

      Soiled holding N 6

      Clean holding NR 2

      (N = negative pressure NR = No Requirement)

2. (2) Plumbing And Other Piping Systems.

   1. (a) Piped-in medical gas and vacuum systems, if installed, shall meet the requirements of NFPA-99, category 2 system, which is hereby incorporated by reference including subsequent amendments and editions. Copies of NFPA-99 may be purchased from the National Fire Protection Association online at https://www.nfpa.org/product/nfpa-99-code/p0099code at a cost of one hundred forty-nine dollars ($149.00).
   2. (b) Lavatories and sinks for use by medical personnel shall have the water supply spout mounted so that its discharge point is a minimum distance of ten (10) inches above the bottom of the basin with mixing type fixture valves that can be operated without the use of the hands.
   3. (c) Hot water distribution systems shall provide hot water at hand washing facilities at a minimum temperature of 100 degrees F. and a maximum temperature of 116 degrees F.

3. (3) Electrical Requirements.

   1. (a) The facility's paths of egress to the outside shall have at a minimum, listed battery backup lighting units of one and one-half hour capability that will automatically provide at least one foot candle of illumination at the floor in the event needed for a utility or local lighting circuit failure.
   2. (b) Electrically operated medical equipment necessary for the safety of the patient shall have, at a minimum, battery backup.
4. (4) Buildings systems and medical equipment shall have preventative maintenance conducted as recommended by the equipment manufacturers' or installers' literature to assure operation in compliance with manufacturer's instructions.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131E-153.5; 143B-165;
Codifier determined that findings of need did not meet criteria for emergency rule on October 30, 2023;
Emergency Rule Eff. November 14, 2023;
Temporary Adoption Eff. February 8, 2024;
Eff. October 1, 2024.