R432-14-3. General Design Requirements

  (1) Birthing centers shall be constructed in accordance with the requirements of R432-4-1 through R432-4-23 and the requirements of section 5.2 of the Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities, 2010 edition (Guidelines) and are adopted and incorporated by reference.

  (2) Birthing centers shall consist of at least one, but not more than five birth rooms. Licensure is not required for birthing centers with only one birth room.

  (3) Birthing rooms and ancillary service areas shall be organized in a contiguous physical arrangement.

  (4) Birthing centers with 4 or 5 birth rooms shall comply with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Chapter 20, New Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies. Birthing centers with one to three birth rooms shall comply with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, Chapter 38, New Business Occupancies and NFPA 101 A.3.3.178.3, as indicated in section 5.2-7.1 of the Guidelines.

  (5) A Birthing center located contiguous with a general hospital may share radiology services, laboratory services, pharmacy services, engineering services, maintenance services, laundry services, housekeeping services, dietary services, and business functions. The owner shall retain in the birthing center a written agreement for the shared services.