Part B: Health Facility Briefing & Design

Mortuary Unit

Part B – Health Facility Briefing & Design

215 Mortuary Unit

International Health Facility Guidelines

2023

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Table of Contents
215 MORTUARY - GENERAL ............................................................................................................ 3
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 3
2 FUNCTIONAL & PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................... 3
3 UNIT PLANNING MODELS ................................................................................................................. 4
4 FUNCTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ........................................................................................................... 5
5 DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................... 7
6 COMPONENTS OF THE UNIT .............................................................................................................. 9
7 SCHEDULE OF EQUIPMENT (SOE) .................................................................................................. 10
8 SCHEDULE OF ACCOMMODATION ................................................................................................... 10
9 FURTHER READING ....................................................................................................................... 14

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215 Mortuary - General

1 Introduction
The Mortuary Unit or “Morgue” is a facility for the temporary holding and storage of bodies. It may
also be used for viewing and/ or identification of the diseased persons.
The needs of hospital staff, relatives of the deceased and attendant authorised persons should be
considered in the design, layout and functionality of the unit to provide a safe and private
environment.
The design must address the following:
▪ Number of bodies to be stored
▪ Method of storage i.e., refrigerated cabinets, cool room, freezing capacity
▪ Separation of entries for families to view/ identify bodies
▪ Delivery of bodies from inside the hospital and external delivery (if applicable)
▪ Transfer of bodies outside the facility
It should be noted that the standard hospital Morgue facility should not be used for the storage of
bodies associated with criminal investigations. In such cases the body is regarded as evidence,
and enhanced security should be provided. Such facilities are generally centralised and
Government controlled.
Autopsy facilities are optional. According to the local laws Autopsy may be centralised and
provided only in certain Government facilities. This FPU does not cover centralised Government
Morgues.
2 Functional & Planning Considerations
Operational Model
Hours of Operation
Working hours will be on a routine eight hours per day, five days per week. Work times are
assumed 8.00am-5.00pm. The Hospital Morgue Unit will also be accessible to authorised
personnel 24 hours per day and 7 days per week.
Body Holding Capacity
The size of the Mortuary Unit is primarily determined by the body holding capacity. The body
holding capacity should be proportional to the number of beds in the hospital and its operational
policies.
There are two options available for body-holding provisions:
▪ Walk-in cool room for multiple trolleys
▪ Bank of individual refrigerated cabinets each accommodating 2, 3 or 4 bodies
In addition to the body holding capacity, consideration should be given to the following:
▪ Security of bodies
▪ Isolation and bariatric needs
▪ Expected length of time for retention of bodies
Morgue cold chambers could be provided in two ways as follows:
▪ Positive temperature +2/+4°C (the most common type)
▪ Negative temperature -15°C/-25°C (used by forensic institutes for the storage of bodies that
have not yet been identified)

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3 Unit Planning Models

The Unit should be ideally located in the same building as the main health facility away from any
public area to ensure that it is appropriately screened from visibility.
It should be ideally located at ground level to allow easy and discrete access to deliver and/ or
remove bodies via an exit lobby. If ground level is congested or not available, the second-best
alternative is the basement.
The size of the Unit will depend on the size of the facility, the calculated number of bodies to be
stored and its Operational Policy. The size is also influenced by the cultural and religious factors.
In some societies, bodies must be buried within a short time and therefore the Mortuary Unit tends
to be very small.
Functional Zones
The Hospital Mortuary Unit consists of the following key Functional Zones:
▪ Entry Lobby/ Exit Lobby
▪ Body Holding Area
▪ Body Washing Area
▪ Waiting/ Viewing Area
▪ Storage and Support Area
▪ Staff Area
Entry Lobby/ Exit Lobby
The Entry Lobby to the Unit is commonly connected with an internal corridor of the facility where
the body enters from. This also forms an air lock prior to entering the Body Holding Area. The Exit
Lobby will provide access for body retrieval from the Body Holding Area directly to the outside
where a vehicle could be parked close by.
Transport Trolley parking can be considered in the Lobbies if additional space is required to
accommodate mobile equipment. Both Lobbies should have access to hand washing facilities.
Body Holding Area
The Body Holding Area provides refrigerated space for the temporary storage of bodies. One part
of the Area will include refrigerated cabinets stacked or placed side by side to the quantity as
defined in the Operational Policy. Separate cabinets should be provided for isolation purposes.
Ample space to be provided in front of refrigerated cabinets for maneuvering and withdrawing
trays using special lifting devices which are typically battery operated.
Alternatively, if cool rooms are preferred a minimum of 3m2 per body holding (body on a loose tray
or trolley) should be provided.
In both options (refrigerated cabinets and cool rooms) the bodies may be stacked 2, 3 or 4 high. It
is recommended that some body cabinets (or bays) should be larger for bariatric or bloated
bodies.
A hand wash basin is required and ideally positioned with easy access to the entry and exit
lobbies. A workstation for body registration and removal records can be provided here or in a
separate office within the Unit.
Based on a risk assessment in the hospital service plan, a small percentage of bodies may be
bloated due to drowning. For such bodies, extra-large fridge bays will be required.
Within the body holding area or an adjacent corridor or bay, facilities for charging the electrical
trolley lifters should be provided.
Body Washing Area
Body Washing Area to be located adjacent to the Body Holding Area. Stainless Steel tables with
integral plumbing facilities and extendable hose should be found in the center of the room.
A separate sink and hand wash basin are required. A stainless-steel bench, waste bins and
storage facilities should be provided in this area.

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Autopsy Area (Optional and Restricted)

The provision of Autopsy is governed by the Laws of the Country. Autopsy may not be permitted in
all Hospitals, especially in Private Hospitals. The permission to provide Autopsy services should
be checked with the responsible authorities.
The Autopsy Area should be located adjacent to the body cool store and have ready access to a
clean-up or Dirty Utility area. Autopsy rooms should provide height adjustable post-mortem table/s
which are easily cleanable and free from areas and details which may harbor potentially infectious
material.
Downdraught ventilated tables are preferred. Each table should have a hot and cold water supply
and a waste outlet.
Waiting/ Viewing Area
Provide discrete and dedicated entry to the Unit for family members. This can be directly from
outside and separate from the Exit Lobby.
Separate Male and Female Waiting areas may be required according to custom. Waiting areas
are separate from Viewing Area. Waiting areas should have direct visibility through internal
windows into the adjoining Viewing Area. Toilet facilities for both male and female should be
provided in close proximity to the Waiting area.
Storage and Support areas
Provide sufficient storage area to the Unit for plastic body bags and sealing machine and other
consumables. Lockable storage for personal effects from the deceased should be considered.
Provide Clean-up room including storage of waste and used linen within the Unit.
Provide Cleaner’s room including cleaning equipment, materials and agents.
Staff Area
Staff Area to include the following:
▪ Changing facilities including lockers and toilets
▪ Storage of Clean Linen (can be inside the Change Rooms)
▪ Office(s) if required
▪ Meeting Room/s for education and tutorial sessions as well as meetings (optional or shared)
4 Functional Relationships
A functional Relationship can be defined as the correlation between various areas of activity which
work together closely to promote the delivery of services that are efficient in terms of
management, cost and human resources.
External Relationships
Mortuary/ Holding facilities shall be accessible through an interior and exterior entrance and shall
be located to avoid the need for transporting bodies through public areas. It should also be located
in close proximity to Anatomical Pathology laboratories (if provided) and relevant clinical areas for
transportation of laboratory specimens, if Autopsy is performed.
Internal Relationships
The Waiting Area and Viewing Area should be collocated however there should be no access to
other sections of the Morgue for viewers.
Entry Lobby, Exit Lobby and Administrative Area form part of a single area.

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Functional Relationships Diagram

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5 Design Considerations
General
The design of the Unit shall provide staff with sufficient space, working surfaces and appropriate
equipment to safely carry out their duties. Infection control, cooling and ventilation must be
considered.
The Viewing Room and Waiting Areas shall be pleasant spaces with consideration given to
adjustable lighting and possibly provision of a music system.
The Unit shall be ergonomically designed to avoid any potential injury to staff, family members and
maintenance personnel.
Body storage up to triple stacked fits within the general ceiling height of 2700mm used in
hospitals. However, quadruple stacked storage will likely require additional height.
Designers should check the exact height of the refrigerators or body racks to inform the correct
ceiling height.
Easy access should be provided for the maintenance staff, especially in relation to the
refrigeration facilities.
Environmental Considerations
Acoustics
Acoustic design shall ensure that conversations in adjoining rooms cannot be overheard by
relatives in the viewing/ waiting areas.
Accessibility
External
Mortuary Unit is to have separate access as follows:
▪ Direct access from the Hospital for delivery of the body
▪ Direct but separate and discreet access for relatives of the deceased from all relevant areas
of the hospital to Mortuary Unit’s waiting/ viewing area
▪ Adequate access for vehicle parking and screening provision surrounding the collection of
bodies.
▪ Adequate access for ambulances delivering bodies
▪ Adequate access for police vehicles
Internal
The Body Holding Room is to have direct access to/from:
▪ The hospital corridor for use by staff
▪ Viewing Room
▪ Discreet access from body hold/ cool room to hearse and ambulance or private vehicle
parking bays
Safety and Security
Selection of interior finishes to the Mortuary Unit shall consider the impact on safety aspects
including adequate drainage, protection from protrusions or sharp edges, stability and height of
equipment or fittings, adequate protection against infection and other hazards.
The security aspects of the Unit will include storage of the bodies, valuables left by the deceased,
staff personal belongings and security, access and egress in particular after hours.

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If an autopsy facility is available, the storage and disposal of specimens during the removal shall
be handled with care via a secure refrigerated storeroom.
Finishes
Floor finishes shall be non-slip for all wet areas or areas subject to water. It should be impervious,
easy to clean, sealed with covering at the edges and have adequate drainage. Drains should be
fitted with appropriately filtered traps for ease of hosing down.
Wall surfaces in the body holding area should be washable and/or scrubbable.
Ceiling linings within the Unit are to be washable, impermeable, and non-porous.
Refer to Part C - Access, Mobility and OH&S.
Fittings, Fixtures and Equipment
The Equipment layout of the Mortuary Unit shall ensure:
▪ Adequate provision for operation and maintenance
▪ Provision of services as required
▪ Door sized to allow for delivery and removal of the equipment
▪ Design for the required heat loads
▪ Adequate provision for weight loads
Building Service Requirements
This section identifies unit specific services briefing requirements only and must be read in
conjunction with Part E - Engineering Services for the detailed parameters and standards
applicable.
Information and Communication Technology
It is recommended that an intercom be provided from the main/ exit (external) door/s to the to the
body holding area to alert attendants.
Heating Ventilation and Air-conditioning (HVAC)
The temperature of the body holding area should be maintained within a comfortable range not
exceeding 20-21°C. The ventilation system should be isolated from other ventilation systems by
being designed to minimize the spread of odors and airborne pathogens.
The working area of the body holding is regarded as a non-refrigerated area. The autopsy area is
also regarded as a non-refrigerated area with the temperature ranging from 20 to 21°C. This non-
refrigerated area, which handle bodies should be kept under negative pressure. Refrigerated
cabinets or rooms do not require negative pressure.
The operating temperatures of all cooled and freezing facilities should be continuously monitored
and fitted with alarms which are activated when the temperature exceeds a predetermined level.
The alarms should be transmitted to a permanently manned station.
The risk of a single source of failure for the refrigeration systems should be considered and if
necessary, backups should be provided.
All HVAC units and systems are to comply with services identified in Standard Components and
Part E – Engineering Services.
Power Supply
Provide protective covers to power supply outlets to protect outlets from wetting. Provide an
emergency back-up system for the power supply to the refrigeration with high priority equipment
and illumination.
Refer to Part E - Engineering Services for details.
Infection Control
Bodies stored in the Mortuary Unit which may contain infectious diseases must be contained.

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Cleaned instruments and materials shall be re-circulated under normal procedures through the
Sterile Supply Unit or autoclaved within the Mortuary Unit. The unit shall be designed to control
infections utilizing the following:
▪ Layout designed to minimise cross contamination in work areas
▪ Provision of a small wash-down/ disposal/ booting area
▪ Provision of an adequate number of hand wash facilities
▪ Provision of appropriate cleaning, waste storage and waste disposal
▪ Use of suitable materials and finishes
▪ Specimen storage facilities
▪ First aid facilities
▪ Adequate isolation of space and ventilation systems which present potential hazard
Safety Showers and Eye Wash
Provision of safety shower and eye wash or eye/ face wash equipment within the Unit.
Hand Basins
Handbasins for staff hand washing are required in areas where handling of the bodies occurs.
Antiseptic Hand Rubs
Antiseptic Hand Rub dispensers can be provided within the Unit and to comply with Part D -
Infection Control. Antiseptic Hand Rubs, although very useful and welcome, cannot fully replace
Handwash Bays. A combination of both is required.
Refer to Part D – Infection Control for additional details.
6 Components of the Unit
Standard Components
Standard Components are typical rooms within a health facility, each represented by a Room Data
Sheet (RDS) and a Room Layout Sheet (RLS).
The Room Data Sheets are written descriptions representing the minimum briefing requirements
of each room type, described under various categories:
▪ Room Primary Information; includes Briefed Area, Occupancy, Room Description and
relationships, and special room requirements).
▪ Building Fabric and Finishes; identifies the fabric and finish required for the room ceiling,
floor, walls, doors, and glazing requirements.
▪ Furniture and Fittings; lists all the fittings and furniture typically located in the room; Furniture
and Fittings are identified with a group number indicating who is responsible for providing the
item according to a widely accepted description as follows:
Group Description
1 Provided and installed by the Builder/ Contractor
2 Provided by the Client and installed by the Builder/Contractor
3 Provided and installed by the Client

▪ Fixtures and Equipment; includes all the serviced equipment typically located in the room
along with the services required such as power, data and hydraulics; Fixtures and
Equipment are also identified with a group number as above indicating who is responsible for
provision.
▪ Building Services; indicates the requirement for communications, power, Heating, Ventilation
and Air conditioning (HVAC), medical gases, nurse/ emergency call and lighting along with
quantities and types where appropriate. Provision of all services items listed is mandatory.

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The Room Layout Sheets (RLS’s) are indicative plan layouts and elevations illustrating an
example of good design. The RLS indicated are deemed to satisfy these Guidelines. Alternative
layouts and innovative planning shall be deemed to comply with these Guidelines provided that
the following criteria are met:
▪ Compliance with the text of these Guidelines
▪ Minimum floor areas as shown in the schedule of accommodation
▪ Clearances and accessibility around various objects shown or implied
▪ Inclusion of all mandatory items identified in the RDS
The Mortuary Unit will consist of Standard Components to comply with details described in these
Guidelines. Refer also to Standard Components Room Data Sheets and Room Layout Sheets.
Non-Standard Components
Non-standard rooms are those which have not yet been standardized within these guidelines. As
such there are very few Non-standard rooms. These are identified in the Schedules of
Accommodation as NS and are separately covered below.
Mortuary - Body Washing / Embalming Room
Body Washing Area to be located adjacent to the Body Holding Area. Stainless Steel table with
integral plumbing facilities and extendable hose should be found in the center of the room. A
separate sink and hand wash basin are required. Stainless steel benches, waste bins and storage
facility can be found in this area.
Autopsy Area
The Autopsy Area should be located adjacent to the body cool store and have ready access to a
clean-up area. Autopsy rooms should provide height adjustable post-mortem table/s which are
easily cleanable and free from areas which may harbor potentially infectious material.
Downdraught ventilated tables are preferred. Each table should have a hot and cold water supply
and a waste outlet.
7 Schedule of Equipment (SOE)

Room Name
Mortuary - Autopsy Room, Roome Code (mor-au-i)
Bench: stainless steel Scale: morgue, in-floor, digital Shelf: SS, under
Cabinet: instrument Scale: organ/ tissue/ swab Table: autopsy, with sink, vented
Light: procedure, single, ceiling mounted Sharps disposal: on trolley, 11L Trolley: mortuary, hydraulic
Linen carrier: dirty, single Shelf: SS, over Trolley: SS, multi-purpose
Waste bin: clinical, 120 litres
Mortuary - Body Washing & Embalming Room, Room Code (mor-bw-i)
Basin: handwash, Type B Waste bin: clinical, 120 litres Table: body wash, with sink
Embalming unit: benchtop Sharps disposal: on trolley, 11L Trolley: SS, multi-purpose
Mortuary - Clean-up Area, Room Code (mor-cu-i)
Waste bin: clinical, 120 litres Rack system: cool room, with 5 body trays Trolley: mortuary, hydraulic
CT Scanning - Procedure Room, Room Code ( ctpr-i)
Basin: scrub, Type A Scanning unit: CT, 128-slice Waste bin: General, 20 Litres

8 Schedule Of Accommodation
The Schedule of Accommodation (SOA) provided below represents generic requirements for this
Unit. It identifies the rooms required along with the room quantities and the recommended room
areas. The simple sum of the room areas is shown as the Sub Total. The Total Area is the Sub
Total plus the circulation percentage. The circulation percentage represents the minimum
recommended target area for internal corridors in an efficient and appropriate design.
Within the SOA, room sizes are indicated for typical units and are organized into Functional
Zones. Not all rooms identified are mandatory therefore, optional rooms are indicated in the
Remarks. These guidelines do not dictate the size of the facilities, therefore, the SOA provided
represents a limited sample based on an assumed unit size.

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The actual size of the facilities is determined by Service Planning or Feasibility Studies. Quantities
of rooms need to be proportionally adjusted to suit the desired unit size and service needs.
The table below shows a typical Unit within a Hospital from RDL 4 to 6.
Any proposed deviations from the mandatory requirements, justified by innovative and alternative
operational models may be proposed within the departure forms included in Part A of these
guidelines for consideration by the health authority for approval.

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Mortuary Unit
ROOM/ SPACE Standard Component RDL 4 - 6 Remarks
Room Codes Qty x m2
Mortuary Unit
Waiting – (Male/Female) wait-15-i 2 x 15 Gender separation according to local custom
Viewing Room mor-vr-i 1 x 8 Provide viewing windows to the waiting areas
Toilet – Accessible (Male/ Female) wcac-i 2 x 6 Separate for Male and Female or shared with other WCs if nearby.
Airlock - Entry airl-6-i 1 x 6
Office - Workstation off-ws-i 1 x 5
Bay - Mobile Equipment bmeq-4-i 1 x 4 For transport equipment/ trolley
Bay - Handwashing, Type B bhws-b-i 1 x 1
Mortuary - Exit Lobby mor-ex-i 1 x 7
Mortuary - Cool Store/ Body Holding Room mor-cs-i 1 x 35 Sized for 12 body holding capacity; body holding area with refrigerated cabinets,
triple stacked, or 16 bodies quadruple stacked (not including the fridges)
Mortuary - Body Washing / Embalming NS 1 x 16 Typically used before the transfer of bodies
Room
Ablution Room ablu-13-i similar 1 x 5 Adjacent to body washing room
Cleaners Room clrm-6-i 1 x 6
Mortuary - Clean-up Room mor-cu-i 1 x 6
Disposal Room disp-8-i similar 1 x 5
Change – Staff (Male/ Female) chst-12-i similar 2 x 6 Lockers, WC and optional shower (allow additional 2m2 per shower cubicle);
separate Male and Female
Store - General stgn-8-i 1 x 8
Office - Single off-s9-i 1 x 9 Optional
Sub Total 166.5
Circulation % 20
Area Total 200

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Autopsy (Optional cased on the hospital service plan and Govt permission)
ROOM/ SPACE Standard Component RDL 4 - 6 Remarks
Room Codes Qty x m2
Mortuary Unit
Autopsy Room NS 1 x 15 Number of bays as per the service plan
The area is per station
Viewing Room obs-i similar 1 x 8 Police and forensic personnel only, Bench and chairs Optional
Secure Sample Store stgn-8-i similar 1 x 5 Lockable, Optional Refrigerators
Dissection Bay /Room mor-bw-i 1 X 18 May be integrated with the Autopsy Room
Police / Legal Office off-s9-i 1 X 9
Dirty Utility Room - with access to Autopsy dtur-14-i 1 X 14
Sub Total 56
Circulation % 20
Area Total 67

Please note the following:

▪ Areas noted in Schedules of Accommodation take precedence over all other areas noted in the Standard Components.
▪ All the areas shown in the SOA follow the No-Gap system described elsewhere in these Guidelines.
▪ Exact requirements for room quantities and sizes shall reflect Key Planning Units (KPU) identified in the Clinical Service Plan and the Operational
Policies of the Unit.
▪ The room sizes indicated should be viewed as a minimum requirement; variations are acceptable to reflect the needs of individual Unit.
▪ Offices are to be provided according to the number of approved full-time positions within the Unit.

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9 Further Reading
In addition to Sections referenced in this FPU, i.e., Part C- Access, Mobility, OH&S and Part D -
Infection Control and Part E - Engineering Services, readers may find the following helpful:
▪ International Health Facility Guidelines (iHFG) www.healthdesign.com.au/ihfg
▪ The Facility Guidelines Institute (US), Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals,
2018. Refer to website www.fgiguidelines.org
▪ The Facility Guidelines Institute (US), Guidelines for Design and Construction of Outpatient
Facilities, 2018. Refer to website www.fgiguidelines.org
▪ Health Building Note 00-04 Circulation and communication spaces, Department of Health
(UK), 2013 refer to:
▪ https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/187026/Health
_Building_Note_00-04_-_Circulation_and_communication_spaces_-_updated_April_2013.pdf
▪ Health Building Note - HBN 20, Facilities for mortuary and post-mortem room services, NHS
Estates (UK), 2001, refer to website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/health-
building-notes-core-elements.