GENERAL STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITAL NURSING HOMES - INTRODUCTION A. The standards set forth in this document have been established by the Surgeon General of the U. S. Public Health Service as required by Title VI of the Public Health Service Act. These standards constitute minimum requirements for construction and equipment and shall apply to all projects for which Federal assistance is requested under the act. They are considered necessary to insure properly planned and well constructed hospitals and public health centers which can be maintained and efficiently operated to furnish adequate services. B. Throughout these general standards reference is made to certain sizes of hospitals such as "up to and including 100 beds, "over 100 beds, "1 etc. These references are not meant to be applied strictly. They indicate the approximate sizes at which certain changes in requirements will occur. C. It should be particularly noted that the small hospital of 50 beds or under presents a special problem. The size of the various departments will be generally smaller and will depend upon the requirements of the particular hospital. Some of the functions allotted separate spaces or rooms in these general standards may be combined provided that the resulting plan will not compromise the best standards of medical and nursing practice. In other respects the general standards set forth in this document, including the area requirements, will apply. D. In the case of types of hospitals not specifically treated herein the standards for general hospitals will apply. Due allowance will be made for the specialized or unusual requirements of the particular hospital involved. E. Since these are minimum requirements it is desirable only that they form a basis for development of higher standards. In the interest of promoting the development of higher standards it is the intention of the Public Health Service to make suggestions and disseminate the latest information as to current good practice in planning and design of health facilities. This information will be distributed from time to time to State agencies and other interested persons. F. No attempt has been made in establishing these standards to comply with all the various State and local codes and regulations which, of course, must be observed. The standards set forth in this document must be followed where they exceed any State and local codes and regulations. Likewise, compliance is required with minimum standards of construction and equipment promulgated by the State agency where such requirements provide a higher standard than the standards set forth in this document. SITE SURVEY AND SOIL INVESTIGATION A. The applicant shall provide for a survey and soil investigation of the site and furnish a plat of the site. The purpose of this survey and soil investigation is to obtain all information necessary for the design of the building foundations and mechanical service connections and development of the site. It is suggested that this matter be deferred until the architect has been selected in order that he may co-operate with the engineer who obtains the data. B. If any existing structures or improvements on the site are to be removed by the owners or others, the buildings or improvements must be designated on the plat. C. Any discrepancies between the survey and the recorded legal description shall be reconciled or explained. (1) The courses and distances of property lines. (2) Dimensions and location of any buildings, structures, E. (3) Details of party walls, or walls and foundations adjacent to the lot lines. (4) The position, dimensions and elevations of all cellars, excavations, wells, back-filled areas, etc., and the elevation of any water therein. (5) All trees which may be affected by the building operations. (6) Detailed information relative to established curb and building lines and street, alley, sidewalk and curb grades at or adjacent to the site and the materials of which they are constructed. (7) All utility services and the size, characteristics, etc., of these services. (8) The location of all piping, mains, sewers, poles, wires, hydrants, manholes, etc., upon, over or under the site or adjacent to the site if within the limits of the survey. (9) Complete information as to the disposal of sanitary, storm water and subsoil drainage and suitability of subsoil for rainwater or sanitary disposal purposes if dry wells are used. (10) Official datum upon which elevations are based and a bench mark established on or adjacent to the site. (11) Elevations on a grid system of not more than 20-foot (12) Elevations of contours, bottoms of excavations, etc. (13) Contemplated date and description of any proposed improvements to approaches or utilities adjacent to the site. The plat shall bear a certification by the city engineer or other qualified official, that the true street lines and the officially established grades of curbs, sidewalks and sewers are correctly given. |