Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 4 Homes for the Aged and Mental Institutions

In addition to the provisions of Part 1 of this chapter, homes for the aged and mental institutions shall comply with the provisions set out in this Part 4.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (part), 1959.)

No person shall be kept, cared for, or maintained as a boarder or patient in any sleeping room existing as of September 25, 1959, which has less than 80 square feet of superficial floor area. Where a ward or semiprivate room is occupied by more than one person, there shall be provided not less than 60 square feet of superficial floor area for each person.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (a), 1959.)

No person shall be kept, cared for or maintained as a border or patient in any sleeping room which has less than 100 square feet of superficial floor area. When two or more persons are kept in any sleeping room, not less than 70 square feet of superficial floor area for each person shall be required.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (b), 1959.)

Each bedroom, or bed in a ward shall be provided with a table or similar facility for the keeping of personal belongings of each individual inmate. Sufficient additional storage facilities shall be provided for the reasonably safekeeping of articles or personal belongings which are not in daily use.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (c), 1959.)

All bedpans, washbasins, mouthwash cups and other utensils used by patients and inmates shall be free from cracks or chips. Bedpans used individually shall be properly stored, marked and thoroughly cleaned after each use. Bedpans not individually used shall be sterilized after each use by boiling in water for 30 minutes, or autoclaved (15 pounds pressure for 30 minutes). All bedpans and urinals shall be sterilized once a week by boiling in water for 30 minutes, or autoclaved (15 pounds pressure for 20 minutes).

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (d), 1959.)

A.

Utility Rooms. Utility rooms of adequate size shall be provided for any home for the aged or mental institution which has bed patients. Such rooms shall be provided with a bedpan hopper or its equivalent. Bathtubs, lavatories and laundry trays shall not be used for the cleaning of bedpans.

B.

Water Closets and Lavatories. Where seven or more ambulatory or semiambulatory patients or aged boarders are cared for or housed, there shall be provided at least one water closet and one lavatory for each seven patients, or fractional part thereof, of each sex, within the building. Where there are less than seven ambulatory or semiambulatory patients or aged boarders, there shall be one water closet and one lavatory, regardless of sex.

C.

Baths and Showers. Where there are 10 or more ambulatory or semiambulatory patients or aged boarders cared for or housed, there shall be provided at least one bath or one shower for each 10 patients, or fractional part thereof, of each sex, within the building. Where there are less than 10 ambulatory or semiambulatory patients, or aged boarders, there shall be at least one bath or one shower, regardless of sex.

D.

Such toilet rooms, baths and showers shall comply with the provisions of Section 11.20.190 of this Division 1.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (e), 1959.)

Adequate emergency lighting facilities shall be provided and distributed so as to be readily available to the personnel on duty. An open-flame light shall not be used at any time.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 12 § 873 (f), 1959.)