The nursing home must ensure that department of health, construction review approves of all carpet installation.

(1) Carpets may be used in all areas except: Toilet rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry, utility rooms, medication rooms, maintenance, isolation rooms if provided, and areas subject to high moisture or flooding. Specifications for acceptable carpeting are:

(a) Pile yarn fibers are easily cleanable;

(b) Pile is looped texture in all resident use areas. Cut pile may be used in nonresident use areas;

(c) Average pile density of five thousand ounces per cubic yard in resident use areas and four thousand ounces per cubic yard in nonresident areas. The formula for calculating the density of the carpet is: Yarn weight in ounces times 36, divided by pile height in inches equals ounces per cubic yard of density; and

(d) A maximum pile height of .255 inches in resident use areas and .312 inches in nonresident use areas.

(2) Carpets must:

(a) Be cemented to the floor; and

(b) Have the edges covered and top set base with toe at all wall junctures.

(3) When recarpeting, the safety of residents must be assured during and after recarpeting installation within the room or area. The nursing home must ensure the room or area is:

(a) Well ventilated;

(b) Unoccupied; and

(c) Unavailable for use until room is free of volatile fumes and odors.