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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 01-867

NOTICES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Adoption of the 2001 Edition of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Health Care Facilities

[31 Pa.B. 2636]

   Under its authority under the Health Care Facilities Act, 35 P. S. §§ 448.101 et. seq., and the hospital and ambulatory surgical facility regulations promulgated thereto, the Department of Health (Department) will adopt the 2001 edition of the ''Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospital and Health Care Facilities'' (Guidelines), effective November 24, 2001. As of November 24, 2001, the Department will apply these new requirements to all plans for new construction or renovations for hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.

   The Department currently applies the 1996-97 edition of the Guidelines for all new construction, renovations or modernization of hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities. The 1996-97 edition of the Guidelines will continue to be utilized through November 23, 2001.

   The Department has received inquiries regarding the implementation of the 2001 edition of the Guidelines, and when they would be enforced. The 2001 edition of the Guidelines can be utilized immediately, however, to allow adequate lead-in time for larger or more complicated projects, the mandatory usage of the new Guidelines will not take effect until November 24, 2001.

   The established procedure requires the submission of construction plans and the issuance of a final construction plan approval by the Division of Safety Inspection prior to the start of any new construction, renovation, modernization or changes in usage. Blueprints are to be submitted to the Division and are reviewed for compliance with the NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and the requirements as set forth in the Guidelines. The plan approval function is a requirement to insure that all new construction or renovations comply with all applicable regulations to avoid building noncompliant conditions into hospitals or ambulatory surgical buildings, which would necessitate costly remedial work to correct prior to the Department allowing the renovated area to be occupied.

   After construction has been completed, and prior to the use of the area, a final inspection must be conducted for Life Safety Code requirements by the Division of Safety Inspection, and for State licensure and/or Federal Certification requirements by the Division of Acute and Ambulatory Care.

   We recommend that smaller renovation projects or new additions be designed and submitted for approval based on compliance with the 2001 edition of the Guidelines as soon as possible. Although it is still permissible to utilize the 1996-97 edition until November 24, 2001, it would be prudent to utilize the 2001 edition. Larger or more complicated projects should be designed in conformance with the new Guidelines, however, all final plan approvals issued after November 23, 2001, will be based upon conformance with the 2001 edition of the Guidelines, regardless of when the preliminary plans were submitted.

   Those persons interested in purchasing a copy of the 2001 edition of the ''Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Health Care Facilities'' may telephone the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Bookstore (small orders) at (202) 626-7541 or (800) 242-3837, or the AIA Fulfillment House (large orders) at (800) 365-2724 to place an order or request a catalog.

   Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Peter P. Petresky, Director, Division of Safety Inspection at (717) 787-1911. Persons with a disability who require an alternative format of this document should contact the following: V/TT: (717) 783-6154 for Speech and/or Hearing Impaired Persons or the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 [TT].

ROBERT S. ZIMMERMAN, Jr.,   
Secretary

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-867. Filed for public inspection May 18, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]


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