Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 641 - Public Health Department
Chapter 86 - Places Where Dead Human Bodies Are Prepared for Burial or Entombment
Rule 641-86.5 - Preparation Room

Universal Citation: IA Admin Code 641-86.5

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 6, September 18, 2024

The preparation room shall meet the following standards:

(1) The preparation room shall be of such size and dimensions to accommodate and shall contain an embalming table, an appropriate sink, or other liquid waste receptacle with sewer and water connections, suitable cabinet or shelves, and hand-washing facilities to include hot water, soap and towels.

(2) The preparation room shall be private. It shall not be used as a passageway from room to room. No toilet or commode shall be located within the preparation room. Only equipment necessary for use in preparation of bodies for burial, shipment or cremation shall be permitted in the preparation room.

(3) There shall be a toilet and hand-washing facility accessible elsewhere in the building.

(4) Ventilation shall be provided by an exhaust fan vented to the outside of the building.

(5) Doors and windows of the preparation room shall be so installed and constructed as to obstruct view from outside and to prevent fumes and odors from entering any other part of the building.

(6) There shall be adequate lighting. Light fixtures shall be easy to clean and kept clean.

(7) The preparation room shall be provided with an adequate water supply with hot and cold running water

(8) The building drainage system must be discharged into the municipal sewage system where such a system is available. Where a municipal sewage system is not available, the building drainage system must be discharged into a private system of waste disposal acceptable to the Iowa department of natural resources and the Iowa department of public health.

(9) Backflow prevention.

a. Funeral homes not meeting the requirements of 86.5 (9) "c" shall have water-supplied aspirators equipped with a listed atmospheric vacuum breaker mounted at least six inches above the aspirator The discharge of the aspirator shall be through an air gap.

b. Funeral homes not meeting the requirements of 86.5(9)"c" shall have hose bibbs protected by a listed nonremovable hose bibb type backflow preventer Potable water outlets with a tube connection fitting shall be protected by a listed atmospheric vacuum breaker mounted at least six inches above the highest point of water usage.

c. In new construction, the water supply to the preparation room and to fixtures in the preparation room shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the Iowa state plumbing code (641-Chapter 25) or in accordance with the ordinance of the political subdivision in which the facility is located, provided that the requirements of the ordinance are equal to or greater than the requirements of the Iowa state plumbing code.

(10) The embalming table shall have a top composed of stainless steel, porcelain or other rustproof material, and the edges shall be raised at least three-fourths inch around the entire table. There shall be a drain opening in the table.

(11) Each preparation room shall have a covered, watertight receptacle for solid refuse.

(12) All preparation rooms shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition. All embalming tables, sinks, receptacles, instruments and other appliances used in embalming dead human bodies shall be thoroughly cleaned with hot water and disinfectant. There shall be available a suitable means to sterilize instruments.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Iowa may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.