S06 00004 - S02 AttF 585-21-111 SPEC 013526 Part 1.12_Rev1 Infection Control Spec.docx

1.12 INFECTION CONTROL

A. Infection Control is critical in all Medical Center facilities. Interior construction activities causing disturbance of existing dust, or creating new dust, must be conducted within ventilation-controlled areas that minimize the flow of airborne particles into patient areas. Exterior construction activities causing disturbance of soil or creates dust in some other manner must be controlled.

B. An AHA associated with infection control will be performed by VA personnel in accordance with FGI Guidelines (i.e. Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA)). The ICRA procedure found on the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) website will be utilized. Risk classifications of Class II or lower will require approval by the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority before beginning any construction work. Risk classifications of Class III or higher will require a permit before beginning any construction work. Infection Control permits will be issued by the Resident Engineer. The Infection Control Permits will be posted outside the appropriate construction area. More than one permit may be issued for a construction project if the work is located in separate areas requiring separate classes. In general, the following will apply for this project:

Class 2: Sub Basement, Basement (except SPS, dining room, canteen, kitchen), 1st Floor Near Police and Chapel, 5th floor, and 6th Floor (except laboratory) Class 3: All other areas that are not listed above.

The required infection control precautions with each class are as follows:

1. Class I Requirements:

a. During Construction Work:

1) Notify the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority.

2) Execute work by methods to minimize raising dust from construction operations.

3) Ceiling tiles: Immediately replace ceiling tiles displaced for visual inspection.

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b. Upon Completion:

1) Clean work area upon completion of task

2) Notify the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority.

2. Class II Requirements:

a. During Construction Work:

1) Notify the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority.

2) Provide active means to prevent airborne dust from dispersing into atmosphere such as wet methods or tool mounted dust collectors where possible.

3) Water mist work surfaces to control dust while cutting.

4) Seal unused doors with duct tape.

5) Block off and seal air vents.

6) Remove or isolate HVAC system in areas where work is being performed.

b. Upon Completion:

1) Wipe work surfaces with cleaner/disinfectant.

2) Contain construction waste before transport in tightly covered containers.

3) Wet mop and/or vacuum with HEPA filtered vacuum before leaving work area.

4) Upon completion, restore HVAC system where work was performed

5) Notify the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority

3. Class III Requirements:

a. During Construction Work:

1) Obtain permit from the Contracting Officer Representative.

2) Remove or Isolate HVAC system in area where work is being done to prevent contamination of duct system..

3) Complete all critical barriers i.e. sheetrock, plywood, plastic, to seal area from non-work area or implement control cube method (cart with plastic covering and sealed connection to work site with HEPA vacuum for vacuuming prior to exit) before construction begins. Install construction barriers and ceiling protection carefully, outside of normal work hours Water mist work surfaces to control dust while cutting.

4) Maintain negative air pressure, 0.01 inches of water gauge, within work site utilizing HEPA equipped air filtration units and continuously monitored with a digital display, recording and alarm instrument, which must be calibrated on installation, maintained with periodic calibration and monitored by the contractor..

5) Contain construction waste before transport in tightly covered containers..

6) Cover transport receptacles or carts. Tape covering unless solid lid.

b. Upon Completion:

1) Do not remove barriers from work area until completed project is inspected by the Contracting Officer Representative and thoroughly cleaned by the VA Environmental Services Department.

2) Remove construction barriers and ceiling protection carefully to minimize spreading of dirt and debris associated with construction, outside of normal work hours.

3) Wet mop and/or vacuum with HEPA filtered vacuum before leaving work area.

4) Upon completion, restore HVAC system where work was performed

5) Notify the Contracting Officer Representative or Government Designated Authority

C. Products and Materials:

1. Sheet Plastic: Fire retardant polyethylene, 6-mil thickness meeting local fire codes

2. Barrier Doors: Self-closing solid core wood in steel frame, painted

3. Dust proof drywall

4. High Efficiency Particulate Air-Equipped filtration machine rated at 95% capture of 0.3 microns including pollen, mold spores and dust particles. HEPA filters should have ASHRAE 85 or other prefilter to extend the useful life of the HEPA. Provide both primary and secondary filtrations units. Maintenance of equipment and replacement of the HEPA filters and other filters will be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Exhaust Hoses: Heavy duty, flexible steel reinforced; Ventilation Blower Hose

6. Adhesive Walk-off Mats: Provide minimum size mats of 24 inches x 36 inches

7. Disinfectant: Hospital-approved disinfectant or equivalent product

8. Portable Ceiling Access Module

D. Before any construction on site begins, all contractor personnel involved in the construction or renovation activity shall be educated and trained in infection prevention measures established by the Medical Center.

E. A dust control program will be established and maintained as part of the contractor’s infection preventive measures in accordance with the FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Healthcare Facilities. Prior to start of work, prepare a plan detailing project-specific dust protection measures with associated product data, including periodic status reports, and submit to Project Manager and Facility CSC for review for compliance with contract requirements in accordance with Section 01 33 23, SHOP DRAWINGS, PRODUCT DATA AND SAMPLES.

F. Medical Center Infection Control personnel will monitor for airborne disease (e.g. aspergillosis) during construction. A baseline of conditions will be established by the Medical Center prior to the start of work and periodically during the construction stage to determine impact of construction activities on indoor air quality with safe thresholds established.

H. In general, the following preventive measures shall be adopted during construction to keep down dust and prevent mold.

1. Contractor shall verify that construction exhaust to exterior is not reintroduced to the Medical center through intake vents, or building openings. HEPA filtration is required where the exhaust dust may reenter the Medical Center.

2. Exhaust hoses shall be exhausted so that dust is not reintroduced to the Medical Center.

3. Adhesive Walk-off/Carpet Walk-off Mats shall be used at all interior transitions from the construction area to occupied Medical Center area. These mats shall be changed as often as required to maintain clean work areas directly outside construction area at all times.

4. Vacuum and wet mop all transition areas from construction to the occupied Medical Center at the end of each workday. Vacuum shall utilize HEPA filtration. Maintain surrounding area frequently. Remove debris as it is created. Transport these outside the construction area in containers with tightly fitting lids.

5. The contractor shall not haul debris through patient-care areas without prior approval of the Resident Engineer and the Medical Center. When, approved, debris shall be hauled in enclosed dust proof containers or wrapped in plastic and sealed with duct tape. No sharp objects should be allowed to cut through the plastic. Wipe down the exterior of the containers with a damp rag to remove dust. All equipment, tools, material, etc. transported through occupied areas shall be made free from dust and moisture by vacuuming and wipe down.

6. There shall be no standing water during construction. This includes water in equipment drip pans and open containers within the construction areas. All accidental spills must be cleaned up and dried within 12 hours. Remove and dispose of porous materials that remain damp for more than 72 hours.

7. At completion, remove construction barriers and ceiling protection carefully, outside of normal work hours. Vacuum and clean all surfaces free of dust after the removal.

I. Final Cleanup:

1. Upon completion of project, or as work progresses, remove all construction debris from above ceiling, vertical shafts and utility chases that have been part of the construction.

2. Perform HEPA vacuum cleaning of all surfaces in the construction area. This includes walls, ceilings, cabinets, furniture (built-in or free standing), partitions, flooring, etc.

3. All new air ducts shall be cleaned prior to final inspection.