National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) (Nursing Care Center / Nursing Care Center)
Hand Hygiene - Corridor Dispensers of Alcohol-based Hand Products
Publish | January 01, 0001
What are the "conditions" that have to be met to be able to install alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers in egress corridors?
Location conditions and permissible volume specifications for gel ABHR dispensers to be installed in egress corridors are as follows:
- The corridor width is 6 feet or greater and dispensers are at least 4 feet apart.
- The dispensers are not installed over or directly adjacent to an ignition source such as an electrical outlet or switch. Adjacent is defined as being at least 6 inches from the center of the dispenser to an ignition source.
- In locations with carpeted floor coverings, dispensers installed directly over carpeted surfaces are permitted only in sprinklered smoke compartments.
- Each smoke compartment may contain a maximum aggregate of 10 gallons (37.8 liters) of ABHR gel in dispensers and a maximum of 5 gallons (18.9 liters) in storage.
- The maximum individual dispenser fluid capacity is 0.3 gallons (1.2 liters) for dispensers in rooms, corridors, and areas open to corridors.
- The maximum dispenser size for individual dispensers in areas designated as suites of rooms is 0.5 gallons (2.0 liters).
The situation is a little different with respect to foam ABHR products because all of the testing upon which the NFPA and CMS decisions were based was done on the gel product, not on foam. However, industry experts and CMS have indicated that small-quantity ABHR foam dispensers may be handled the same as for ABHR gel. Therefore, pending further review, both The Joint Commission and CMS will allow any ABHR foam installation that meets the location criteria stated above for ABHR gel. Volumes of ABHR foam are based on suppliers' recommendations and in no case exceed the permissible volumes for ABHR gel as defined above. In the event that subsequent testing demonstrates a safety concern relating specifically to foam dispensers in egress corridors, The Joint Commission reserves the right to modify its position on the acceptability of such installations. In that event, previously installed dispensers would be subject to the newer restrictions; that is, they would not be "grandfathered," and noncompliant installations would have to be removed.
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