Section He-P 804.25 - Physical Environment(a) The physical environment shall be maintained, inside and outside, so as to provide for the health, safety, well-being, comfort, and privacy of resident(s) and personnel, including reasonable accommodations for residents and personnel with mobility limitations.(b) The ALR-RC shall: (1) Have all emergency entrances and exits accessible at all times;(2) Be maintained in good repair and kept free of hazards to personnel and residents, including but not limited to hazards from falls, burns, or electric shocks;(3) Be free from environmental nuisances, including excessive noise and odors;(4) Keep all corridors free from obstructions; and(5) Take reasonable measures to prevent the presence of rodents, insects, and vermin to include but not limited to:a. Having tightly fitting screens on all doors, windows, or other openings to the outside unless the door is self-closing and remains closed when not in use;b. Repairing holes and caulking of pipe channels; andc. Extermination by a pesticide applicator licensed under RSA 430. (c) Equipment providing heat within an ALR-RC 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; andb. 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) Electric heating systems shall be exempt from (c) (2) above.(e) Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited, unless the following conditions 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.(f) Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used in any ALR-RC.(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) Bedrooms shall have 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.(m) Bedrooms in an ALR-RC licensed prior to 4/3/2008 shall: (1) Be exempt from (l) 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.(n) Each bedroom shall: (1) Contain no more than 2 beds;(2) Have its own separate entry to permit the resident to reach his or 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 within 24 hours and without requiring additional construction or renovation.(o) The licensee shall provide the following for the residents' use, as needed: (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, mirror, and bedside table;(7) A closet or storage space for personal belongings; and(8) Window blinds, shades, or curtains that provide privacy.(p) The resident may use his or her own personal possessions provided they do not pose a risk to the resident or others and may waive any of the items in (o) above with a note signed by the resident or guardian and which note shall be placed in the resident's file.(q) The licensee shall provide the following rooms to meet the needs of residents: (1) One or more living rooms or multipurpose rooms; and(2) Dining facilities with a seating capacity capable of meeting the needs of all residents.(r) 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.(s) Lighting shall be available to allow residents to participate in activities such as reading, needlework, or handicrafts.(t) All bathroom, bedroom, and closet doors shall either swing or slide and have latches or locks which shall be designed for easy opening from the inside and outside in an emergency.(u) Screens shall be provided for doors, windows, or other openings to the outside.N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 804.25
Amended by Volume XXXVI Number 49, Filed December 8, 2016, Proposed by #12047, Effective 11/19/2016, Expires 5/18/2017.Amended by Volume XXXVII Number 45, Filed November 09, 2017, Proposed by #12414, Effective 11/3/2017, Expires 11/3/2027.