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Joint Commission’s New Requirement for Business Occupancies
The Joint Commission requires above and beyond what CMS and NFPA require regarding hazardous areas for business occupancies.
Business Occupancy Hazardous Area
Section 38.3.2.1 of the 2012 Life Safety Code references section 8.7 regarding hazardous areas, and section 8.7.1.1 says a hazardous area is required to have 1-hour fire-rated barriers or the area be protected with automatic sprinklers.
Separating an ASC from a Business Occupancy
Patient waiting areas (which includes check-in desks) and recovery areas must be separated between the ASC and business office areas.
Business Occupancy Below a Health Care Occupancy
If the building was a single-story, there is no business occupancy floor below the healthcare occupancy level.
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- Alcohol
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- Ceilings
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