Mortuaries

OVERVIEW

This document outlines the policy and service context and attempts to illustrate the desired planning principles and design considerations for mortuary services.

LEGISLATIVE CONTEXT

The following documents, as amended (though not an exhaustive list) pertain and contain an additional resource of information which would supplement and provide the basis of a design brief. A finer sense of standard operating procedures and legislative context is likely to inform and enhance the design process, so the professional teams are encouraged to use these as an additional resource:

• Births and Deaths Registration Act 1992. (c.51).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Criminal Procedure Act 1977.(c.51).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning Western Cape Province,2004. Western Cape health care waste management draft bill.(P.N.255/

2004). Province of Western Cape South Africa: Provincial Gazette.

• Department of Health (DoH),2013.Regulations relating to the management of human remains. (Government notice No.R.363 of the National Health Act,2003.(c.61).South Africa: DoH.
• Department of Public Works,2005.Space planning norms and standards for office accommodation used by organs of state. (Government notice 1665).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Health Professions Act of 1974. (c.56).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Inquests Act 1959.(c.58).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Municipal By-laws, as applicable
• National Archives of South Africa Act 1996. (c.42).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• National Code of Guidelines for Forensic Pathology Practice in South Africa,20 Aug 2007
• National Environmental Management: Waste Act 2008. (c.59).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• National Health Act 2003.(c.61).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Standard Operating Procedures, Forensic Pathology Service, PGWC DoH,2006
• U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health,2007.Biosafety in microbiological and biomedical laboratories. (Fifth Edition)..Atlanta Georgia USA: U.S.Department of Health and Human Services.
• University of Pretoria (UP) in partnership with Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII),2012.Regulations relating to the registration of microbiological laboratories and the acquisition, importation, handling, maintenance and supply of human pathogens.(Government notice No.R.178 of the National Health Act,2003.(c.61). Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• University of Pretoria (UP) in partnership with Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII),2007.Regulations regarding the rendering of forensic pathology service.(Government notice No.R.636 of the National Health Act,2003.(c.61).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL LEGISLATION

The National Infection Prevention and Control Policy and Strategy document makes specific reference to certain Acts and their relevant regulations, which bear relevance to the development and implementation of these health facility guidelines. These are:

• Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996. s.2,24,27,36&39.
• Department of Health,2003.Regulations relating to the application of the hazard analysis and critical control point system (HACCP system).(Government notice No.R.908 of the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectant Act,1972.(c.54)).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Department of Labour,2001.Regulations for hazardous biological agents. (Government notice No.R.1390 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act,1993.s.43).Pretoria South Africa: Government Gazette.
• The Environmental Conservation Act 1989. (c.73).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• The Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 1972. (c.45).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993.s.8(1).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.

BUILDING LEGISLATION

The following legislation and regulations impact and provide guidance on the provision and design of health care facilities as above:

• Building Regulations and Building Standards Act 1977.(c.103).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act,2000.(c.4).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),1986.SABS 1200 A-1986 Standardized specification for civil engineering construction.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),1992.SABS 0100-1 The structural use of concrete Part 1: Design.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),1992.SABS 0100-2 The structural use of concrete Part 2: Materials and execution of work.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),1993.SABS 0160 General procedures and loadings adopted in the design of buildings.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),2010.SANS 10400-A: 2010 The application of the national building regulations Part A: General principles and requirements.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.
• The National Environmental Management Act 1998.(c.107). Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.

SOUTH AFRICAN BUILDING PRACTICE POLICY AND GUIDELINES

• Department of Health (DoH),1980.Regulations governing private hospitals and unattached operating theatres. (Government notice No.R.158 of the Health Act,1971.(C.63).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.
• The South African Pharmacy Council,2004.Good pharmacy practice.(Board notice 129).Cape Town South Africa: Government Gazette.

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN GUIDANCE

• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),1999.ANSI/ASHRAE standard 52.2-1999 Method of testing general ventilation air-cleaning devices for removal efficiency by particle size.Atlanta USA: ASHRAE.
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),1989.ASHRAE standard 62 Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality.Atlanta USA: ASHRAE.
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),2003.HVAC design manual for hospitals and clinics.Atlanta USA: ASHRAE.
• American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE),2009.ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE standard 170-2008 ventilation of health care facilities.Atlanta USA: ASHRAE.
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE),1997.CIBSE applications manual AM10 natural ventilation in non-domestic buildings.London: CIBSE.
• Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE),2000.CIBSE applications manual AM13 mixed-mode ventilation.London: CIBSE.
• Department of Health and Human Services (Center for Disease Control and Prevention),2003.Environmental control for tuberculosis: Basic upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation guidelines for healthcare setting.USA: DHHS.
• QASA.“Know Your Rights” [Accessibility & the Built Environment]
• World Health Organisation (WHO),2009.WHO policy on TB infection control in health-care facilities, congregate settings and households.Geneva Switzerland: WHO.
• Guidance has also been provided by AIA (USA), NHS (UK), and Australian Health Facility Guidelines on Healthcare Building Design.Additional references can be sourced from www.tb-ipcp.co.za

Further reference material and precedent

• Australasian Health Infrastructure Alliance (AHIA),2007.Australasian health facility guidelines: Part B: Health facility briefing and planning.[online] New South Wales: AHIA.Available at: |AllItems.aspx Accessed 4 March 2014.
• Department of Public Works (DPW),1998.Fire security: A guide for architects. (Ref: F.P.O./G.61/3E).South Africa: DPW.
• Department of Public Works (DPW),1998.Standard specification for air-conditioning and ventilation installations. (PW 327).South Africa: DPW.
• Department of Public Works (DPW),2004.Standard electrical specifications. (PW 354).South Africa: DPW.
• NHS Estates,2001.Health Building Note (HBN) 20: Facilities for mortuary and post-mortem room services.Norwich England: The Stationery Office (TSO).
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),2013.CKS 336:2013 Mortuary trolleys.Pretoria South Africa: SABS Standards Division.