New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
Frl - State Board of Registration of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
Chapter Frl 700 - PREPARATION ROOM
Part Frl 701 - REQUIREMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
Section Frl 701.01 - Preparation Room Requirements and Equipment

(a) The preparation room shall be adequate in size and lighting to accommodate all necessary equipment and instruments to properly embalm and or prepare deceased human bodies for burial, cremation or other final disposition. There shall be storage shelves or cabinets for all supplies, instruments, and equipment;

(b) The walls and ceiling shall be as air-tight as possible. The walls shall run from floor to ceiling and shall be of finished tile or other material finished with enamel, enamel paint, or other waterproof material, and contain no open seams, cracks or chips;

(c) The floor shall be constructed of tile, cement, linoleum, or like composite materials which are impervious to water or covered with materials which are impervious to water. Flooring materials shall not contain cracks, chips or the like which would allow for fluids to seep into the exposed area making proper cleaning of the floors impossible;

(d) Any preparation room constructed after May 17, 2010 shall be heated and air-conditioned;

(e) Any preparation room renovated after October 31, 2018 shall be heated and air-conditioned;

(f) The preparation room shall be vented with an exhaust fan. All fumes shall be ventilated to the outside atmosphere. The location of the exhaust fan shall be at the foot-end of the embalming table and in close proximity to the area of the embalming waste sink. The construction of the preparation room shall be such that odors cannot enter the rest of the building. Any new construction shall have an exhaust fan located at the foot-end of the embalming table below the level of the table;

(g) All opening windows and outside doors shall be adequately screened and shielded from outside viewing;

(h) The preparation room shall be strictly private and locked at all times. A "private" sign shall be posted on the door(s) entering the preparation room. No one shall be allowed in the preparation room while the body is being embalmed except the licensed embalmers, licensed funeral directors or apprentices;

(i) The embalming table shall have a top composed of stainless steel, porcelain or other rustproof material, and the edges shall be raised at least 3/4 inch around the entire table. The embalming table shall be free of cracks or chips making proper cleaning impossible. There shall be a drain opening in the table;

(j) A hydro-aspirator or electric aspirator equipped with at least one air breaker shall be present. A drainage tube shall be connected to the aspirator and shall be long enough to extend from the aspirator into the drain. Documentation of annual back flow functional testing or inspection shall be available for review by the inspector;

(k) An embalming waste sink shall have a minimum depth necessary to eliminate potential back splash and overflow. A drainage hose shall be attached to all drain openings in the embalming table and be long enough to extend into the embalming waste sink to base of the drain. If the embalming table cannot accommodate a drainage hose leading to the base of the embalming waste sink or if the embalming waste sink is not deep enough to eliminate potential back splash and overflow, the embalming waste sink shall have a plexiglass cover with a hole to accommodate the drain hose(s) from the embalming table. An acceptable alternative to an embalming waste sink shall be a direct connection from the embalming table drain openings to the public sewer system or a septic system if a public sewer is not available;

(l) The building drainage shall be connected to the public sewer or a septic system if a public sewer is not available;

(m) The preparation room shall have hot and cold running water;

(n) The preparation room shall have a separate sink, in addition to the embalming waste sink, for personal use with hot and cold running water;

(o) The preparation room shall have a first aid kit and eyewash station;

(p) Only equipment and supplies necessary for the preparation or care of dead human bodies for disposal or transportation shall be kept within the room. Said equipment shall be maintained in a sanitary manner and be safe for use at all times;

(q) All bodies in the preparation room shall be treated with proper care and dignity and shall be properly covered at all times;

(r) The preparation room shall contain the necessary equipment and supplies to meet all OSHA requirements; and

(s) All OSHA material safety data sheets shall be available in a location outside of the preparation room.