Q. Do Soiled Utility Rooms have to be locked?
The Life Safety Code (NFPA 101-2000) does not require soiled utility rooms to be locked, but you may want to conduct a risk assessment, based on client/patient/resident occupancies (i.e., geriatric, pediatric, etc) to determine the appropriateness of locking these rooms and to consider the accessibility to staff only, or to the public from a public corridor. Include input from infection control, risk management, the safety officer, and other regulatory agencies (such as the state health department) in the risk assessment process.