Florida Administrative Code › 59 - AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION › 59A - Health Facility and Agency Licensing › Chapter 59A-4 - MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR NURSING HOMES › Section 59A-4.1265 - Emergency Environmental Control for Nursing Homes

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1) DETAILED NURSING HOME EMERGENCY POWER
				PLAN. Each nursing home shall prepare a detailed plan ("plan"), to serve as a
				supplement to its Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, to address emergency
				power in the event of the loss of primary electrical power in that nursing
				home, which includes the following information:
(a) The acquisition of a sufficient alternate
				power source such as a generator(s), maintained at the nursing home, to ensure
				that current licensees of nursing homes will be equipped to ensure the
				protection of resident health, safety, welfare, and comfort for a minimum of
				ninety-six (96) hours in the event of the loss of primary electrical power.
				Safe indoor air temperatures in resident occupied areas shall be determined by
				the licensee to meet the clinical needs of residents, but shall not exceed
				eighty-one (81) degrees Fahrenheit.
1. The
				required temperature must be maintained in an area or areas determined by the
				nursing home of sufficient size to maintain all residents safely at all times
				and is appropriate for the care needs and life safety requirements. For
				planning purposes, no less than thirty (30) net square feet per resident must
				be provided. This may include areas that are less than the entire nursing home
				if the nursing home's comprehensive emergency management plan includes
				relocating residents to portions of the building where the health, safety,
				welfare, and comfort of the residents will be maintained as required by this
				rule. The plan shall include information regarding the area(s) within the
				nursing home where the required temperature will be maintained.
2. The alternate power source for the
				equipment necessary to maintain the safe indoor air temperature required by
				this rule may be provided by the essential electrical system required by the
				Florida Building Code for Nursing Home design and construction or onsite
				optional standby system as defined by NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
				supplying normal power to the nursing home maintained onsite at all times when
				the building is occupied. If an optional standby system is used, it must be
				connected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
				The alternate power source and fuel supply shall be located in an area(s) in
				accordance with local zoning and the Florida Building Code.
3. Each nursing home is unique in size; the
				types of care provided; the physical and mental capabilities and needs of
				residents; the type, frequency, and amount of services and care offered; and
				staffing characteristics. Accordingly, this rule does not limit the types of
				systems or equipment that may be used to maintain the safe indoor air
				temperature required by this rule for a minimum of ninety-six (96) hours in the
				event of the loss of primary electrical power. The plan shall include
				information regarding the systems and equipment that will be used by the
				nursing home required to operate the systems and equipment.
a. A nursing home in an evacuation zone
				pursuant to Chapter 252, F.S., must maintain an alternative power source and
				fuel as required by this subsection at all times when the facility is occupied
				but is permitted to utilize a mobile generator(s) to enable portability if
				evacuation is necessary.
b.
				Facilities located on a single campus with other facilities licensed by the
				Agency under common ownership, may share fuel, alternative power resources, and
				resident space available on the campus if such resources are sufficient to
				support the requirements of each facility's residents, as specified in this
				rule. Details regarding how resources will be shared and any necessary movement
				of residents must be clearly described in the emergency power plan.
c. A multistory facility, whose comprehensive
				emergency management plan is to move residents to a higher floor during a flood
				or surge event, must place its alternative power source and all necessary
				additional equipment so it can safely operate in a location protected from
				flooding or storm surge damage.