The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Emergency Medical Service Room - DECON Room
I have a dumb question:
I am part of a team designing 2 new FireStations and one of the rooms is in question per NFPA Code.
Does anybody know if there is an NFPA code or any related code that requires the EMS-Decon Room to have direct access to the outside without going through another room?
If this is a room where the backboards are to be washed and disinfected after a call, is cross contamination an issue if it is only accessed through another room?
As an Architect/Engineer we are required to abide with the code. Any input you can provide will be helpful.
Thanks,
Rossi
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on
-
I may be able to help you out using H occupancy logic. Send me a message with contact info. I miss doing code work having authored a component of UFC A80 and Appx VIA. TCsS CBz
-
-
I may be able to help you out using H occupancy logic. Send me a message with contact info. I miss doing code work having authored a component of UFC A80 and Appx VIA. TCsS CBz
-
Permalink Reply by Dustin J. Millis on
-
I guess maybe I am giving a dumb answer.... um... I don't recall ever seeing a fire station (EMS provider or not) that has a specific room to decon their equipment. In fact, I know the ambulance shack down the road from our station does NOT have a "decon" room. Is this some kind of state specific law? Let us all know CB
-
Permalink Reply by Rossi Paloma on
-
The design for these fire stations has specific rooms to decon their equipment. Not a State Specific law or anything like that.
-
Permalink Reply by Oldman on
-
I'm not aware of a specific NFPA requirement, but I believe there is OSHA requirements which carry more weight than NFPA.
Ours is accessible only from the apparatus bay with an emergency shower, and hot and cold faucets to be used for cleaning backboards and equipment.
-
Permalink Reply by Jason Brooks on
-
Our newest station opened in 2001. We have a decon room that has access to the outside as well. It is also used as the hazmat room for that purpose. The lighting in that room is also explosion proof versus just normal flourescent lighting. The room has a emergency decon eyewash, 8 foot stainless steel sink and emergency decon shower.
-
-
02-20-2010 Update: To provide both closure and guidance for readers on this discussion, please note that Ms. Rossi was able to successfully located the appropriate NFPA reference code that deals with infection control related issues as they pertain to the EMS-Decon Room.
Here's the information using a PDF File format for NFPA 1581.
Origin and Development of NFPA 1581
In many fire departments, the majority of responses are emergency medical service departments (EMS)-related. The need for a proactive infection control policy and program is paramount in working in this, as members come in contact with potentially infectious victims or other persons in both emergency and nonemergency settings. It is also crucial that those fire that do not provide emergency medical services have a proactive infection control program. Given the variety of situations that fire departments are called to, including domestic violence, hazardous materials releases, and even routine structural fires, the potential for infection of a fire department member exists.
NFPA 1581 was developed to provide requirements for infection control practices. The requirements were developed to be compatible with guidelines and regulations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that apply to public safety and emergency response personnel. The first edition of the document was issued in 1992.
Click on the attached NFPA 1581 PDF file, and download to read further...
CBz - Attachments:
-
-
NFPA_1581.pdf, 500 KB
-
-
-
Thanks for the post and the support Cap. Have a great rest of the weekend.
R
-
-
We all know now that there is a NFPA standard now thanks to your post. CBz
-
-
So now you know about the NFPA standard that addresses this. I still feel that using H occupancy guidelines would be appropriate to follow, specifically the ventilation, number of air exchanges and containment requirements.
CBz
-
-
Yupper. I learn something new everyday. Thanks for the input......R
-
-
I will defintely follow up with our Chiefs tomorrow. Thanks again.....R
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
