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1. Patient room doors. Doors to patient rooms are required to have latches. The Joint Commission expects an organization to have in its fire plan a process to ensure that patient room doors close and latch in a fire emergency. Healthcare organizations seeking Joint Commission accreditation cannot use roller latches.
2. Corridor walls. In non-sprinkler-protected buildings, corridor walls should have a 30-minute fire rating and walls that extend from the floor to the underside of the floor or roof above. In addition, there should not be any unsealed penetrations between the corridor and patient care rooms. In a fully sprinkler-protected compartment, there is no fire rating and the corridor wall may be separated from patient rooms.
3. Corridors and air supply. The Joint Commission does not allow the use of the corridor as a part of air supply, air return or air plenum, as this air flow could contribute to the spread of a fire. However, The Joint Commission does allows the space above the ceiling to be used as unducted common air plenum for either supply or return air, as long as smoke dampers protect the air transfer openings extending through smoke barriers. Healthcare organizations should consult with state regulations to see if this design is allowed.
4. Headway. Healthcare organizations must be mindful of headroom and compliance to the Life Safety Code. For instance, providers must comply with requirements for angles and projections for large screen monitors in corridors. This is to reduce lighting glare and eliminate obstructions of view to exit signs and other projections.
More Articles on The Joint Commission:
Coshocton Hospital Receives Joint Commission Accreditation
Joint Commission’s Annual Report Indicates Improved Quality of Care
Dr. Ronald M. Wyatt Named Medical Director of Joint Commission’s Division of Healthcare Improvement
