Section 250.2460  Finishes

a)         Cubicle and window curtains and draperies shall be noncombustible or rendered flame retardant and shall pass both the large and small scale tests of NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame Propagation of Textiles and Films.

b)         Flame spread and smoke developed ratings of finishes shall be in accordance with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

c)         Floors in areas and rooms in which flammable anesthetic agents are stored or administered to patients shall comply with NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities. Conductive flooring may be omitted from emergency treatment, operating, and delivery rooms provided that a written resolution is signed by the hospital governing board stating that no flammable anesthetic agents will be used in these areas, and provided that appropriate notices are permanently and conspicuously affixed to the wall in each such area and room.

d)         Floor materials shall be easily cleanable and have wear resistance appropriate for the location involved. Floors in areas used for food preparation or food assembly shall be water resistant and greaseproof. Joints in tile and similar material in such areas shall be resistant to food acids.  Floors in toilets, baths, janitor's closets, and similar areas shall be water resistant.  In all areas frequently subject to wet cleaning methods, floor materials shall not be physically affected by germicidal and cleaning solutions.

e)         Wall bases in kitchens, operating and delivery rooms, soiled work rooms, and other areas that are frequently subject to wet cleaning methods shall be made integral and coved with the floor, tightly sealed to the wall, and constructed without surface voids that can harbor vermin.

f)         All wall finishes shall be washable and, in the immediate area of plumbing fixtures, shall be smooth and moisture resistant.  Walls in surgery, delivery, kitchens and in other spaces subject to frequent cleaning shall have finishes that are smooth, sanitary, washable, and capable of withstanding treatment with harsh chemicals.  The finishes shall be capable of being thoroughly cleaned, including concealed spaces.

g)         Floor and wall penetrations by pipes, ducts, and conduits shall be tightly sealed to minimize entry of vermin, smoke, and fire.  Joints of structural elements shall be similarly sealed.

h)         Ceilings shall be cleanable and shall meet the following criteria:

1)         Unrestricted general access areas such as patient rooms, corridors, offices, and waiting areas  may have non-restricted acoustical ceilings installed.

2)         Ceilings in wet areas subject to frequent cleaning such as shower rooms, toilet rooms, and dietary units shall have finishes that are smooth, sanitary, washable, and capable of withstanding treatment with harsh chemicals. The finishes shall be capable of being thoroughly cleaned, including any concealed spaces that may be present.

3)         Food preparation areas subject to frequent cleaning shall have ceiling finishes that are smooth, sanitary, washable, and capable of withstanding treatment with harsh chemicals.

4)         Ceiling finishes in areas such as clean corridors, central sterile supply spaces, specialized radiographic rooms, and minor surgical procedure rooms shall be smooth, scrubbable, non-absorptive, non-perforated, capable of withstanding cleaning with harsh chemicals, and without crevices that can harbor mold and bacterial growth.  If a lay-in ceiling is provided, it shall be designed to prevent the passage of particles from the cavity above the ceiling plane into the semi-restricted environment.  Perforated, tegular, serrated, cut, or highly textured tiles are not acceptable.

5)         Ceiling finishes in areas such as operating rooms and other rooms where open wounds are present shall be monolithic, scrubbable, and capable of withstanding harsh chemicals.  Cracks or perforations in these ceilings are not allowed.

i)          The following areas shall have acoustical ceilings:

1)         Corridors in patient areas;

2)         Nurses' stations;

3)         Labor rooms;

4)         Day rooms;

5)         Recreation rooms;

6)         Dining areas; and

7)         Waiting areas.

(Source:  Amended at 35 Ill. Reg. 6386, effective March 31, 2011)