Dispensers of Hand Sanitizer Over Carpeting?
Q: Do the hand sanitizer dispensers have to be mounted away from carpeting? How far if yes?
A: Dispensers installed directly over carpeted floor surfaces are permitted only in smoke compartments protected by automatic sprinkler systems.
Effective May 24, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) took action that allows nursing facilities, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers and other health care facilities to install dispensers of alcohol-based hand sanitizers in exit corridors under specified conditions. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be installed in health care facilities, including exit corridors, if the following criteria are met:
-- Install dispensers to minimizes leaks and spills that could lead to falls.
-- Install dispensers to adequately protects against access by vulnerable populations, such as residents in dementia units.
-- If installed in a corridor, the corridor must be at least 6 feet wide.
-- The maximum individual dispenser fluid capacity is limited to 0.3 gallons (1.2 liters) for dispensers in rooms, corridors, and areas open to corridors.
-- The maximum individual dispenser fluid capacity is limited to 0.5 gallons (2.0 liters) for dispensers in suites of rooms.
-- The dispensers must be installed at least 4 feet apart.
-- Not more than a total of 10 gallons (37.8 liters) of solution can be in use in a single smoke compartment outside of a storage cabinet.
-- Storage of more than 5 gallons (18.9 liters) of solution in a single smoke compartment must meet the requirements of NFPA 30.
-- The dispensers cannot be installed over or directly adjacent to an ignition source.
For more information about fire safety and exit routes check out Tab 3 of the Quality America OSHA Safety Program Manual or Dental OSHA Safety Program Manual.
Posted by Quality America on February 6, 2008 | Comments (0)
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