New Hampshire Code of Administrative Rules
He - Department of Health and Human Services
Subtitle He-P - Former Division of Public Health Services
Chapter He-P 800 - RESIDENTIAL CARE AND HEALTH FACILITY RULES
Part He-P 805 - SUPPORTED RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY LICENSING RULES
Section He-P 805.24 - Physical Environment

Universal Citation: NH Admin Rules He-P 805.24

Current through Register No. 40, October 3, 2024

(a) The physical environment shall be maintained, inside and outside, so as to provide for the health, safety, well-being and comfort of resident(s) and personnel, including reasonable accommodations for residents and personnel with disabilities.

(b) Equipment providing heat within an SRHCF including, but not limited to, gas furnace or boiler, oil furnace or boiler, wood stove or pellet stove shall:

(1) Maintain a temperature as follows, except where residents have control of the thermostat in their own room:

a. Be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night; and

b. Be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day if the resident(s) are present; and

(2) Be serviced once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer with written documentation of such service retained for at least 4 years.

(d) Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited, unless the following are met:

(1) Such devices are used only in employee areas where personnel are present and awake at all times; and

(2) The heating elements of such devices do not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit;

(e) Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used in any SRHCF.

(f) Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained in accordance with the state plumbing code as adopted under RSA 329-A:15 and RSA 155-A.

(g) Ventilation shall be provided in all enclosed living areas by means of a mechanical ventilation system or one or more screened windows that can be opened.

(h) Each resident bedroom shall have natural lighting provided by at least one operable window with a screen to the outside, which is of a size equivalent to or greater than 8% of the room's gross square footage.

(i) The number of sinks, toilets, tubs or showers shall be in a ratio of one for every 6 individuals, unless household members and personnel have separate bathroom facilities not used by residents.

(j) All showers and tubs shall have slip resistant floors and surfaces which are intact, easily cleanable, and impervious to water.

(k) All hand-washing facilities shall be provided with hot and cold running water.

(l) In an SRHCF licensed for 16 or fewer residents, there shall be at least 80 square feet per room with a single bed and 160 square feet per room with 2 beds, exclusive of space required for closets, wardrobe and toilet facilities.

(m) In an SRHCF licensed for 17 or more residents, there shall be at least 100 square feet for each resident in each private-bedroom and at least 80 square feet for each resident in a semi- private bedroom, exclusive of space required for closets, wardrobes and toilet facilities;

(n) Bedrooms in an SRHCF licensed prior to the 2006 effective date of these rules shall:

(1) Be exempt from (l) and (m) above;

(2) Provide at least 80 square feet per resident in a private room; and

(3) Provide at least 70 square feet per resident in a semi-private room.

(o) The space requirements in (l), (m), and (n) above shall be exclusive of space required for closets, wardrobes, and bathroom.

(p) Each bedroom shall:

(1) Contain no more than 2 beds;

(2) Have its own separate entry to permit the resident to reach his/her bedroom without passing through the room of another resident;

(3) Have a side hinge door and not a folding or sliding door or a curtain;

(4) Not be used simultaneously for other purposes;

(5) Be separated from halls, corridors and other rooms by floor to ceiling walls;

(6) Be located on the same level as the bathroom facilities, if the resident has impaired mobility as identified by the RAT; and

(7) If a licensed bedroom is temporarily being utilized for another purpose, it shall retain the capability of being restored to meet the requirements of a licensed bedroom without requiring additional construction or renovation.

(q) The licensee shall provide the following for the residents' use, as needed, except as requested by the resident or guardian and documented in their resident record:

(1) A bed appropriate to the needs of the resident;

(2) A firm mattress that complies with Saf-C 6000;

(3) Clean linens, blankets and a pillow;

(4) A bureau;

(5) A mirror;

(6) A bedside table;

(7) A lamp;

(8) A chair;

(9) A closet or storage space for personal belongings; and

(10) Window blinds, shades or curtains that provide privacy.

(r) The resident may use his or her own personal possessions provided they do not pose a risk to the resident or others.

(s) The licensee shall provide the following rooms to meet the needs of residents:

(1) One or more living rooms or multi-purpose rooms; and

(2) Dining facilities with a seating capacity capable of meeting the needs of all residents.

(t) Each licensee shall have a communication system in place so that all residents can effectively contact personnel when they need assistance with care or in an emergency.

(u) Lighting shall be available to allow residents to participate in activities such as reading, needlework or handicrafts.

(v) All bathroom, bedroom and closet door latches or locks shall be designed for easy opening from the inside and outside in an emergency.

(w) During seasons when insects are active, screens shall be provided for:

(1) Doors;

(2) Windows; and

(3) Other openings to the outside.

(x) Doors that are self-closing and remain closed when not in use shall be exempt from the requirement in (w) above.

#8746, eff 10-25-06

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