[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 12, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR482.41]

[Page 492-493]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
  CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF 
                 HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES--(Continued)
 
PART 482--CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION FOR HOSPITALS--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart C--Basic Hospital Functions
 
Sec. 482.41  Condition of participation: Physical environment.

    The hospital must be constructed, arranged, and maintained to ensure 
the safety of the patient, and to provide facilities for diagnosis and 
treatment and for special hospital services appropriate to the needs of 
the community.
    (a) Standard: Buildings. The condition of the physical plant and the 
overall hospital environment must be developed and maintained in such a 
manner that the safety and well-being of patients are assured.
    (1) There must be emergency power and lighting in at least the 
operating, recovery, intensive care, and emergency rooms, and 
stairwells. In all other areas not serviced by the emergency supply 
source, battery lamps and flashlights must be available.
    (2) There must be facilities for emergency gas and water supply.
    (b) Standard: Life safety from fire. (1) Except as otherwise 
provided in this section, the hospital must meet the applicable 
provisions of the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code of the National 
Fire Protection Association. The Director of the Office of the Federal 
Register has approved the NFPA 101[reg] 2000 edition of the 
Life Safety Code, issued January 14, 2000, for incorporation by 
reference in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. A copy 
of the Code is available for inspection at the CMS Information Resource 
Center, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD and at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Suite 700, Washington, 
DC. Copies may be obtained from the National Fire Protection 
Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. If any changes in 
this edition of the Code are incorporated by reference, CMS will publish 
notice in the Federal Register to announce the changes.
    (i) Chapter 19.3.6.3.2, exception number 2 of the adopted edition of 
the LSC does not apply to hospitals.
    (ii) After consideration of State survey agency findings, CMS may 
waive specific provisions of the Life Safety Code which, if rigidly 
applied, would

[[Page 493]]

result in unreasonable hardship upon the facility, but only if the 
waiver does not adversely affect the health and safety of patients.
    (iii) The provisions of the Life Safety Code do not apply in a State 
where CMS finds that a fire and safety code imposed by State law 
adequately protects patients in hospitals.
    (iv) A hospital must be in compliance with the following provisions 
beginning on March 13, 2006:
    (A) Chapter 19.3.6.3.2, exception number 2.
    (B) Chapter 19.2.9, Emergency Lighting.
    (2) The hospital must have procedures for the proper routine storage 
and prompt disposal of trash.
    (3) The hospital must have written fire control plans that contain 
provisions for prompt reporting of fires; extinguishing fires; 
protection of patients, personnel and guests; evacuation; and 
cooperation with fire fighting authorities.
    (4) The hospital must maintain written evidence of regular 
inspection and approval by State or local fire control agencies.
    (c) Standard: Facilities. The hospital must maintain adequate 
facilities for its services.
    (1) Diagnostic and therapeutic facilities must be located for the 
safety of patients.
    (2) Facilities, supplies, and equipment must be maintained to ensure 
an acceptable level of safety and quality.
    (3) The extent and complexity of facilities must be determined by 
the services offered.
    (4) There must be proper ventilation, light, and temperature 
controls in pharmaceutical, food preparation, and other appropriate 
areas.

[51 FR 22042, June 17, 1986, as amended at 53 FR 11509, Apr. 7, 1988; 68 
FR 1386, Jan. 10, 2003]