In dementia care units the nursing home must:
(1) Have proof that required approvals for any special egress control devices were obtained from the state fire marshal, department of social and health services, and the local official who enforces the International Building Code and International Fire Code; and
(2) In a new building or addition, or when adding special egress control devices to be used on doors and gates which are a part of the exit system, the building must:
(a) Have obtained approval from department of health construction review and the local official who enforces the International Building Code and International Fire Code;
(b) Have an approved automatic fire alarm system;
(c) Have an approved supervised automatic fire sprinkler system which is electrically interconnected with the fire alarm system; and
(d) Have a system which must:
(i) Automatically release if power to the system is lost;
(ii) Automatically release with activation of the building's fire alarm system;
(iii) Release with an override switch installed at each staff work station or at a constantly staff attended location within the building; and
(iv) Have directions for releasing the device at each egress controlled door and gate; and
(e) Prohibit the use of keyed locks at all doors and gates in all egress pathways.
[Statutory Authority: Chapters
18.51 and
74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-2920, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.]