Alcohol Based Hand Rub (ABHR) Installation Guidelines

The guidelines below are a compilation of the guidelines from the following sources: NFPA 101, Life Safety Code®, California Fire Code and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations. All of these guidelines are enforced by both the local and California State Fire Marshals, The Joint Commission, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and California Department of Public Health. It is important that we adhere to these guidelines when selecting locations to install our dispensers, when selecting the type of dispenser and when calculating total flammable substances in use and in storage.

• The maximum capacity of the dispensers shall be as follows:
  • .32 gal. (1.2L or 41oz) for dispensers in rooms, corridors, and areas open to corridors
  • .53 gal. (2L or 68oz) for dispensers in suites of rooms
  • 18oz for aerosol dispensers
  • Not more than 10 gal. (~37.5 liters) (or 1135oz for aerosols) of ABHR and/or other flammable substance shall be in use outside storage cabinet in any smoke compartment.
    • Note: One dispenser per room inside the room shall not be included in aggregated quantity.
  • Storage quantities greater than 5 gal. in a single smoke compartment shall meet the requirements of NFPA 30.
• Dispensers shall be installed as follows:
  • If the corridor width is a minimum of 6 feet the dispenser may project 4 inches into the means of egress.
  • The minimum separation between dispensers shall be 48 inches or 4 feet.
  • Not within 1-inch horizontal distance above ignition source (e.g., electrical outlet, switch, appliance)
  • Not within 1-inch horizontal distance to the side of an ignition source
  • Not within 1-inch vertical distance beneath ignition source
• Dispensers shall operate as follows:
  • The dispenser shall not release its contents except when the dispenser is activated, either manually or automatically by touch-free activation.
  • Any activation of the dispenser shall occur only when an object is placed within 4 inches (100 mm) of the sensing device.
  • An object placed within the activation zone and left in place shall not cause more than one activation.
  • The dispenser shall not dispense more solution than the amount required for hand hygiene consistent with label instructions.
  • The dispenser shall be designed, constructed, and operated in a manner that ensures the accidental or malicious activation of the dispensing device is minimized.
  • The dispenser shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s care and use instructions each time a new refill is installed.
• Recommend ensuring that the area under the dispenser is maintained free of flammables and combustibles.