Alcohol Dispenser Mounting Restrictions

Alcohol can be used to help kill germs. Alcohol dispensers allow medical staff and visitors to improve hygiene. Yet alcohol within dispensers is potentially flammable. This has led to alcohol dispenser mounting restrictions on where these items can be installed.

Allowed

• Alcohol dispensers are allowed near the doors to patients' rooms. They can be located either inside or outside patients' rooms. Alcohol dispensers can be located near nursing stations, examination rooms and sinks, although use of alcohol dispensers does not eliminate the need for proper hand washing.

Not Allowed

• Alcohol dispensers cannot be mounted near heat sources like heaters and incubators. They must be at least 12 inches from electrical outlets and light switches. Dispensers cannot be closer than 4 feet from each other. Alcohol dispensers can only be placed above carpet if the room also contains a sprinkler system. Alcohol dispensers can only be placed in corridors at least 6 feet across.

Government Regulations

• Placing alcohol dispensers where patients can see them creates increased use.

  According to "Hand Hygiene" by Joint Commission Resources, "In 2005, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began to allow organizations to install dispensers in egress and exit corridors as well as within patient rooms." However, local fire marshals can override this and prohibit alcohol dispensers from being mounted in hallways to and from building exits. Alcohol dispensers cannot project more than 6 inches from the corridor wall. They are allowed to be placed near an intensive care unit (ICU), but this is not required.