There is no requirement for "built-in" furniture. Because of the lack of clear standards in Behavioral Healthcare, accreditation surveyors often provide varying recommendations. The real issue is what safety expectation is applied to that room. Is it a room where patients will always be under direct supervision? If so, it is not required to meet the same standards for safety required in other rooms as long as it is clearly marked as such and is protected by a self closing, self locking door. This also requires that the facility's operational protocols incorporate this.
If the room is intended to be a patient observed room (as opposed to direct supervision), then there is an expectation that furniture will be appropriate to the space. That does not inherently mean "built in" or even weighted. It means that it is appropriate to the space and intended to be used per the facility's operational protocols (which should be documented).
Also, if you do want to provide bolted down furniture, your statement about that not being available is not correct. All of the major furniture suppliers who specialize in BH furniture make safe, appropriate bolted down or weighted furniture.
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Kevin Turner AIA
Principal Architect
Human eXperience
Charlotte NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2021 10:30 AM
From: Heather Graham Lewis
Subject: Behavioral Health Built in Furniture for consultation rooms?
Hello,
We were advised by a consultant from our accrediting agency to replace furniture in consultation rooms with "built in" furniture.
Has anyone run into a similar advise from an accrediting agency?
I'm struggling with how to address this. I was thinking along the lines of "booth" type seating, however it would have to be constructed much more durably that a typical restaurant seating. The upholstery shop I contacted typically staples the vinyl covered cushions, which would not be appropriate. But almost any kind of commercially available behavioral health seating furniture is not appropriate to simply bolt to the floor without creating ligature points.
Thank you for any suggestions and/or pictures!
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Heather Graham Lewis AIA
Ann Arbor MI
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