Section 501.7. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subpart, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Basement—A story or floor level below the main or street floor. Where due to grade differences, there are two levels each qualifying as a street floor, a basement is a floor level below the lower of the two street floors. Basements may not be counted in determining the height of a building in stories.

Bathing facility—A bathtub or shower, or both.

Birth center—A facility not part of a hospital which provides maternity care to childbearing families not requiring hospitalization. A birth center provides a home-like atmosphere for maternity care, including prenatal labor delivery and postpartum care related to medically uncomplicated pregnancies.

Birthing room—A room designed, equipped, and arranged to provide for the care of a woman and newborn, and which includes accommodations for support persons during the process of vaginal childbirth, including the three stages of labor and recovery of a woman and newborn.


Department—The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

Grade—The average elevation of the ground, paved or unpaved, adjoining a building or structure, at the center of each exterior wall.

Hazardous area—Areas of structures, buildings or parts thereof, used for purposes that involve highly combustible, highly flammable, or explosive products or materials which are likely to burn with extreme rapidity, or which may produce poisonous fumes or gases, including highly toxic, or noxious alkalies, acids, or other liquids or chemicals, which involve flame, fume, explosive, poisonous, or irritant hazards; also uses that cause division of material into fine particles or dust subject to explosion or spontaneous combustion, and uses that constitute a high hazard because of the form, character, or volume of the material used.

Licensed practical nurse—A practical nurse who holds a current and valid license to practice in this Commonwealth, under the Practical Nurse Law (63 P. S. § § 651—667).

Low risk individual—A woman experiencing normal, uncomplicated prenatal course as determined by adequate prenatal care and prospects for a normal, uncomplicated, birth as defined by reasonably and currently accepted criteria of maternal and fetal health.

Midwife—A certified midwife holding a valid and current license to practice midwifery in this Commonwealth, under the act of April 4, 1929 (P. L. 160, No. 155) (63 P. S. § § 171—176).

Minor alterations—Structural or functional changes which do not affect the use of a room or an area.

New construction—Construction started after June 26, 1985, for use as a birth center, including:

(i) New buildings.

(ii) Additions to existing buildings.

(iii) Alterations, other than minor alterations.

Owner—The individual, partnership, association, or corporation which is authorized to operate a facility for licensure by the Department.

Physician—A Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy, who holds a current and valid license to practice in this Commonwealth.

Registered nurse—A nurse licensed to practice in this Commonwealth under The Professional Nursing Law (63 P. S. § § 211—225).

Support person—The individual selected or chosen by a patient to provide emotional support and to assist her during the process of labor and childbirth.