A. Design. Every building and every portion thereof shall be designed and constructed to sustain all dead and live loads in accordance with American Society of Civil Engineers, (ASCE), “Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures.”

B. Foundations. Foundations shall rest on natural solid bearing if a satisfactory bearing is available at reasonable depths. Proper soil-bearing values shall be established in accordance with recognized standards. If solid bearing is not encountered at practical depths, the structure shall be supported on drive piles or drilled piers designed to support the intended load without detrimental settlement, except that one story buildings may rest on a fill designed by a soils engineer. When engineered fill is used, site preparation and placement of fill shall be performed under the direct full-time supervision of the soils engineer. The soils engineer shall issue a final report on the compacted fill operation and certification of compliance with the job specifications. All footings shall extend to a depth not less than one foot below the estimated maximum frost line.

C. Construction.

NOTE: NFPA 101 generally covers fire/safety requirements only, whereas most model codes also apply to structural elements. The fire/safety items of NFPA 101 would take precedence over other codes in case of conflict. In the event NFPA 101 does not specifically address a life safety requirement found only in the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, compliance with the requirement is not mandatory. Appropriate application of each would minimize problems. For example, some model codes require closers on all patient doors. NFPA 101 recognizes the potential fire/safety problems of this requirement and stipulates that if closers are used for patient room doors, smoke detectors shall also be provided within each affected patient room.

D. Elevators. All facilities located on other than the grade-level entrance floor shall have electric or hydraulic elevators. Elevator cars shall have inside dimensions that accommodate a patient bed with attendants. Cars shall be at least five feet eight inches wide by nine feet deep. Car doors shall have a clear opening of not less than four feet wide and seven feet high. In renovations, existing elevators that can accommodate patient beds used in the facility will not be required to be increased in size.

NOTE: Additional elevators installed for visitors and material handling may be smaller than noted above, within restrictions set by standards for disabled access.