Canadian health care facilities

1.1 General

1.1.1
This Standard describes essential elements and specific requirements for the planning, design, and construction of health care facilities (HCFs), both public and private. It applies to all facilities providing health care services regardless of type, size, location, or range of services, including:
(a) acute care hospitals;
(b) inpatient continuing care hospitals;
(c) long-term care facilities;
(d) community-based providers;
(e) leased/rental suites in office buildings;
(f) ambulatory care clinics; and
(g) outpatient care (e.g., clinics, dentists- offices, and doctors- offices).

Notes:
(1) See Clause 3 for the definition of HCF.
(2) The requirements specified in this Standard supplement the requirements of the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC), National Building Code (NBC), National Plumbing Code (NPC), National Fire Code (NFC), and provincial/territorial or local regulatory authorities.

1.1.2
This Standard applies to new facilities and to existing facilities undergoing addition or renovation.

1.1.3
This Standard includes requirements for:
(a) planning and design principles, and the planning process;
(b) site and facility development;
(c) general functional service;
(d) inpatient functional service;
(e) diagnostic and treatment functional service;
(f) support functional service;
(g) common requirements for all facilities; and
(h) building services and environmental design.

1.2 Exclusions

1.2.1
This Standard does not apply to veterinary facilities, funeral homes, or mobile health units.

1.2.2
This Standard does not address clinical practice.

1.2.3
This Standard does not include requirements for operation and maintenance of an HCF.

1.2.4
This Standard does not specify requirements for operational models, policies, and procedures.

Note: An HCF should provide the necessary environment so that services can be offered in accordance with the operational model. The design process begins with the HCF defining its expected operational model and activities. It then designs and constructs the physical infrastructure to support the defined model and activities.

1.3 Terminology
In CSA standards, "shall" is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; "should" is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; and "may" is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (nonmandatory) to define their application.