// CODE SNIPPET
1.3-3 Site Features
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1.3-3.1 Signage
Site signage shall be provided to direct people unfamiliar with the facility to parking areas and entrances.
*1.3-3.2 Lighting
Site lighting shall be provided on roads, parking lots, and pedestrian walkways.
A1.3-3.2 Site lighting. Lighting controls should permit zoned operation, allowing facilities to provide multiple lighting levels or to designate night parking nearer the building. Lighting design for the site, roadway, and parking lots should control glare and minimize light pollution to the surrounding properties.
1.3-3.3 Roads and Walkways
1.3-3.3.1 Roads
Paved roads shall be provided within the property for access to all entrances and to loading docks (for delivery trucks).
1.3-3.3.2 Pedestrian Walkways
Paved walkways shall be provided for pedestrian traffic.
1.3-3.4 Parking
*1.3-3.4.1 General
A1.3-3.4.1 Dedicated patient and visitor parking should be provided where possible. Additional parking considerations should be provided for emergency services patients, on-call clinicians, public safety, valet parking, and those working during non-traditional hours.
1.3-3.4.1.1
Hospitals shall provide parking capacity to meet the needs of patients, personnel, and the public.
1.3-3.4.1.2
Parking needs shall be evaluated for each new facility, major addition, or major change in function.
1.3-3.4.2
In the absence of local parking standards or ordinances, refer to individual chapters governing specific facility types for required parking capacity. In all instances, review individual chapters for requirements for dedicated emergency department, patient transfer, and service parking.
*1.3-3.4.3
Unless otherwise prohibited by individual chapters, reduction of parking requirements shall be permitted, as acceptable to local authorities having jurisdiction.
A1.3-3.4.3 Parking requirements may be reduced in locations convenient to pedestrians, public transportation, or public parking facilities or where carpool, shuttle bus, or other alternative transportation arrangements have been developed.
*1.3-3.5 Emergency Access
A1.3-3.5 Other vehicular or pedestrian traffic should not conflict with access to the emergency services.
1.3-3.5.1
Hospitals with an organized emergency service and freestanding emergency facilities shall have the emergency access well marked to facilitate entry from public roads or streets serving the site.
1.3-3.5.2
Access to emergency services shall be located to incur minimal damage from floods and other natural disasters. For additional requirements, see Section 1.2-6.5 (Emergency Preparedness and Management).
1.3-3.6 Landscape Design Features
1.3-3.6.1 Outdoor Water Features
Where provided, open water features shall be equipped to safely manage water quality to protect the public from infectious or irritating aerosols.
*1.3-3.6.2 Landscape and Gardens
See appendix section A1.2-6.2.1.3-a (Potable water quality and conservation-Conservation strategies) for recommendations.
A1.3-3.6.2 Landscape and gardens
- Use and availability of views and other access to nature should be considered in the design of the physical environment, as indicated in Section 1.2-5.4.2 (Views of and Access to Nature). Subject to site constraints, health care organizations should consider opportunities to promote physical activity and/or outdoor uses for staff and visitors. For example, therapeutic uses of landscape elements such as healing gardens or natural landscapes should be integrated into hospitals wherever possible. Consider a range of uses, including roof gardens, horticulture therapy gardens, walking trails, etc., to provide diverse outdoor experiences.
- Use of indigenous and low maintenance landscape materials and plants should be specified to reduce the use of water for irrigation and the life cycle costs of maintenance.
1.3-3.7 Transfer Support Features
1.3-3.7.1 Heliports
*1.3-3.7.1.1
Heliport landing pads and flight approach paths shall comply with applicable regulations governing placement, safety features, lighting, fencing, and other site elements to accommodate safe and secure transport services.
A1.3-3.7.1.1 Refer to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5390-2C: Heliport Design for information on design of heliports for hospitals.
*1.3-3.7.1.2
Facilities with heliports shall incorporate noise mitigation strategies to meet the acoustic requirements outlined in the Guidelines. See Section 1.2-6.1 (Acoustic Design).
A1.3-3.7.1.2 Noise considerations for heliports. The location of heliports on a hospital site should be evaluated for noise impacts on the facility and community. Heliports can be located at ground level on the hospital site or on a hospital building roof. Helicopter noise at nearby residences and at hospital buildings requires special consideration under the following conditions:
- Where helicopter sound levels exceed 80 dBA at nearby residences. (This generally occurs when the slant distance from the helicopter to the residence is 700 feet (213.36 meters) or less. Slant distance is the minimum distance in feet directly between a residence and a helicopter at its closest approach. Patient transport agencies expecting to use the heliport can provide guidance on slant distances for various helicopter approaches. Helicopter approaches to a heliport are influenced by wind direction and locations of nearby buildings.)
- Where the number of helicopter operations exceeds three per day
- Where there are likely to be more than two helicopter flights per week between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
- Where the slant distance to the nearest residence is 1,000 feet (304.80 meters) or less
- Where the heliport is atop a hospital building. (Special attention to the design of building windows is required when helicopters will land on the building. Sound levels at windows directly below the flight path to the roof can exceed 90 dBA and may require special acoustical glazing.)
- Where the heliport is located on the ground and situated so that helicopters will approach within 500 feet (152.40 meters) of hospital buildings
- Where military helicopters, which often are larger than civilian medevac helicopters, are expected to use the heliport more than once per week Helicopters, particularly military helicopters and large civilian helicopters, can induce low frequency vibration in building windows and facades that can vibrate building fixtures and furnishings. Such vibration generally is not acceptable; however, it can be difficult to predict. As a guide, unacceptable vibration can occur when low frequency sound levels (16—31 Hz) exceed 75 dB and when helicopters are within 500 feet (152.40 meters) of buildings.
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Related Code Sections
*1.3-3 Site, Site Features
with applicable regulations governing placement, safety features, lighting, fencing, and other site elements. A1.3-3.6.1.1 Refer to FAA Advisory ...
1.3-3 Site, Site Features
features, lighting, fencing, and other site elements to accommodate safe and secure transport services. A1.3-3.7.1.1 Refer to FAA Advisory ...
*1.3-3.5 Site, Emergency Access
have the emergency access well marked to facilitate entry from public roads or streets serving the site ...
1.3-3.1 Site, Signage
Site signage shall be provided to direct people unfamiliar with the facility to parking areas and entrances ...