1. (1) The HVAC system design shall prevent large temperature differentials, high velocity supply, excessive noise, and air stagnation.
2. (2) Air supply and exhaust in rooms for which no minimum total air change rate is mandated by Table 2 may vary to zero in response to room load.

3. (3) Mechanical ventilation shall be provided independent of thermostat-controlled demands.

   1. (a) Minimum total air change, room temperature, and temperature control shall comply with standards in Table 2.
   2. (b) To maintain asepsis and odor control, airflow supply and exhaust shall be controlled to ensure movement of air from clean to less clean areas.
   3. (c) Rooms containing heat-producing equipment shall be insulated and ventilated to prevent the floor surface above or the walls of adjacent occupied areas from exceeding a temperature of ten degrees Fahrenheit above ambient room temperature.

   4. (d) All rooms and occupiable areas in the facility shall have provisions for ventilation. Natural window ventilation may be used for ventilation of nonsensitive areas and resident rooms when weather conditions permit, but mechanical ventilation

      shall be provided during periods of temperature extremes. Outside ventilation air shall be tempered to between room temperature and the supply air temperature for the appropriate heating or cooling mode.

   5. (e) The heating system shall be capable of maintaining temperatures of 80 degrees F. in areas occupied by residents.
   6. (f) The cooling system shall be capable of maintaining temperatures of 72 degrees F. in areas occupied by residents.
   7. (g) Equipment must be available to provide essential heating during a loss of normal heating capability. All emergency heating devices shall be approved by the local fire jurisdiction.

   8. (h) Fans serving exhaust systems shall be located at the discharge end and shall be readily serviceable. Exhaust fans may be on the inlet side if individually ducted directly to the outside.

      1. (i) Fresh air intakes shall be located at least 10 feet from exhaust outlets of ventilating systems, combustion equipment stacks, plumbing vents, or areas subject to vehicular exhaust or other noxious fumes.

   9. (j) All ventilation, air conditioning systems and air delivery equipment, including through wall units, shall be equipped with filters as follows:

      1. (i) All areas for resident care, and those areas providing direct service or clean supplies shall provide at least one filter bed with a minimum of 30% efficiency.
      2. (ii) All administrative, bulk storage, soiled holding, food preparation and laundries shall provide at least one filter bed with a minimum of 25% efficiency.

   10. (k) Gravity exhaust may be used where conditions permit for boiler rooms, central storage, and other nonresident areas.

       1. (l) The ventilation system shall be air tested and balanced prior to the final Department construction inspection. The initial test results and air balancing report shall be maintained for Department review.

          TABLE 2

          Ventilation Requirements

          AREA AIR MINIMUM MINIMUM ALL AIR

          DESIGNATION MOVEMENT AIR TOTAL AIR EXHAUSTED

          IN CHANGES CHANGES OUTSIDE

          RELATION OF PER HOUR

          TO OUTDOOR

          ADJACENT AIR PER

          AREAS HOUR TO

          ROOM

          Bath and N Optional 10 YES

          Shower

          Rooms

          Clean P Optional 2 Optional

          Linen

          Storage

          Dietary V Optional 2 Optional

          Day

          Storage

          Food E 2 10 YES

          Preparation

          Center

          Janitors' N Optional 10 YES

          Closets

          Laundry V 2 10 YES

          Corridor E Optional 2 Optional

          Grooming N 2 2 YES

          Area

          Resident E Greater 2 Optional

          Room of one air

          change or

          minimum 20 CFM/

          person

          Soiled N Optional 10 YES

          Linen

          holding

          Toilet N Optional 10 YES

          Rooms

          Ware N Optional 10 YES

          Washing

          Common E 2 2 Optional

          Areas

          E = Equal; N = Negative; P = Positive; V = Variable

   11. (m) The requirements of Table 2 do not apply to limited capacity facilities. Limited capacity facilities shall provide exhaust for kitchens and bathrooms.
   12. (n) If an existing building bathroom or toilet room is not exhausted to the outside, the licensee may submit a Request for Agency Action Variance to the Table 2 requirements at the time of initial licensing.

KEY: health care facilities

Date of Last Change: August 20, 2018

Notice of Continuation: January 23, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 26-21-5; 26-21-16