Physical Environment | NH

He-P 805.24 Physical Environment.

• The physical environment shall be maintained, inside and outside, so as to provide for the health, safety, well-being and comfort of resident(s) and personnel, including reasonable accommodations for residents and personnel with
• Equipment providing heat within an SRHCF including, but not limited to, gas furnace or boiler, oil furnace or boiler, wood stove or pellet stove shall:
  • Maintain a temperature as follows, except where residents have control of the thermostat in their own room:
    1. Be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night; and
    2. Be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the day if the resident(s) are present; and
  • Be serviced once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer with written documentation of such service retained for at least 4
• Electric heating systems shall be exempt from (a)(2)
• Portable space heating devices shall be prohibited, unless the following are met:
  • Such devices are used only in employee areas where personnel are present and awake at all times; and
  • The heating elements of such devices do not exceed 212 degrees Fahrenheit;
• Unvented fuel-fired heaters shall not be used in any
• Plumbing shall be sized, installed, and maintained in accordance with the state plumbing code as adopted under RSA 329-A:15 and RSA 155-A.
• 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
• 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
• 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
• All showers and tubs shall have slip resistant floors and surfaces which are intact, easily cleanable, and impervious to
• All hand-washing facilities shall be provided with hot and cold running

• In an SRHCF licensed for 16 or fewer residents, there shall be at least 80 square feet per room with a single bed and 160 square feet per room with 2 beds, exclusive of space required for closets, wardrobe and toilet facilities.
• In an SRHCF licensed for 17 or more residents, there shall be 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;
• Bedrooms in an SRHCF licensed prior to the 2006 effective date of these rules shall:
  • Be exempt from (l) and (m) above;
  • Provide at least 80 square feet per resident in a private room; and
  • Provide at least 70 square feet per resident in a semi-private
• The space requirements in (l), (m), and (n) above shall be exclusive of space required for closets, wardrobes, and
• Each bedroom shall:
  • Contain no more than 2 beds;
  • Have its own separate entry to permit the resident to reach his/her bedroom without passing through the room of another resident;
  • Have a side hinge door and not a folding or sliding door or a curtain;
  • Not be used simultaneously for other purposes;
  • Be separated from halls, corridors and other rooms by floor to ceiling walls;
  • Be located on the same level as the bathroom facilities, if the resident has impaired mobility as identified by the RAT; and
  • 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 without requiring additional construction or
• The licensee shall provide the following for the residents’ use, as needed, except as requested by the resident or guardian and documented in their resident record:
  • A bed appropriate to the needs of the resident;
  • A firm mattress that complies with Saf-C 6000;
  • Clean linens, blankets and a pillow;
  • A bureau;
  • A mirror;
  • A bedside table;
  • A lamp;
  • A chair;

• A closet or storage space for personal belongings; and
• Window blinds, shades or curtains that provide

• The resident may use his or her own personal possessions provided they do not pose a risk to the resident or
• The licensee shall provide the following rooms to meet the needs of residents:
  • One or more living rooms or multi-purpose rooms; and
  • Dining facilities with a seating capacity capable of meeting the needs of all
• 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
• Lighting shall be available to allow residents to participate in activities such as reading, needlework or
• All bathroom, bedroom and closet door latches or locks shall be designed for easy opening from the inside and outside in an
• During seasons when insects are active, screens shall be provided for:
  • Doors;
  • Windows; and
  • Other openings to the
• Doors that are self-closing and remain closed when not in use shall be exempt from the requirement in (w)