Section 250.2670  Plumbing and Other Piping Systems

a)         General

            All plumbing systems shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Plumbing Code, except that the number of waterclosets, urinals, lavatories, bathtubs, showers, drinking fountains, and other fixtures shall be as required by the hospital programs.

b)         Plumbing Fixtures

1)         Plumbing fixtures shall be of nonabsorptive acid-resistant materials.

2)         Hand-washing lavatories used by medical and nursing staff shall be trimmed with valves that can be operated without the use of hands where specifically required in Section 250.2630.

A)        When blade handles are used for this purpose the blade handles shall not exceed 4½ inches in length, except that the handles on clinical sinks shall not be less than 6 inches in length.

B)        The hand-washing and scrub sinks in surgery and emergency treatment, nursery, and delivery units shall be trimmed with valves that are aseptically operated (i.e., knee or foot controls) without the use of hands.  Wrist blades are not acceptable.

3)         Shower bases and tubs shall be provided with nonslip surfaces for standing patients.

c)         Water Supply Systems

1)         Systems shall be designed to supply water at sufficient pressure to operate all fixtures and equipment during maximum demand periods.

2)         Bedpan-flushing devices shall be provided on each patient toilet unless a clinical service sink is centrally located in each nursing unit.  This requirement does not apply to psychiatric units.

3)         Water distribution systems shall be arranged to provide hot water at each hot water outlet at all times.  Hot water temperature at shower, bathing, and hand-washing facilities shall not exceed 110º F (43º C).

d)         Water Heaters and Tanks

            Storage tanks shall be fabricated of corrosion-resistant metal or lined with non-corrosive material.

e)         Drainage Systems

1)         Drain lines from sinks in which acid wastes may be poured shall be fabricated from acid-resistant material.

2)         Floor drains shall not be installed in operating rooms.  Flushing rim-type drains may be installed in cystoscopic operating rooms.

3)         Building sewers shall discharge into a public sewer system.  When a public sewer system is not available, sewage and liquid waste shall be collected, treated, and disposed of in a private sewage disposal system.  The design, construction, maintenance, and operation of the system shall comply with the Department's Private Sewage Disposal Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 905).

f)         Medical Gas Service

Medical gas inlets and outlets shall be provided as identified in Table E.

g)         Service Outlets

            Service outlets for central housekeeping vacuum systems, if used, shall not be located within operating rooms.

h)         Fire Extinguishing Systems

1)         All existing fire extinguishing systems shall be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, NFPA 13, Standards for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems and NFPA 25, Standards for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems.

2)         All buildings more than two stories in height shall be provided with a Class III, Type 1 inside standpipe system.  Such standpipe systems shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 14, Standards for the Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrants, and Hose Systems.

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