Resources for Health-Care Facilities

The 2009 Joint Training for Adult Care Home Staff and Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office Healthcare Staff was held on July 9th in Topeka and July 10th in Wichita. I would first like to say thank you for the warm welcome and the great feedback that we have received concerning the presentation and information provided. This was my first opportunity to formally present information to the healthcare industry and I really enjoyed the experience and look forward to working with everyone in the future.

Questions:
Surprisingly, there were really no questions that went unanswered. However, there were some questions that were asked during the presentation that I felt needed some additional clarification.

Q. Does the 2013 sprinkler requirement apply to assisted living and residential board and care type facilities?

A. No. The 2013 sprinkler requirement only applies to long-term care facilities. See below for more information and a link to the final ruling that applies to the long-term care facilities.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this applies to ALL long-term care facilities, regardless of construction type, number of floors, prior approved compensatory measures, etc.
ALL Long-term Care Facilities must be FULLY-SPRINKLERED by 2013

Q. What are the testing and maintenance schedule/requirements for generators?

A. The requirements for testing and maintenance of generators is somewhat lengthy so we ’ve created a Fire Fact.

CMS Releases Final Rule on Sprinkler Protection

On August 13, 2008, CMS released a final ruling requiring all long-term care facilities to be completely sprinklered by August 13, 2013, five years from the publication date.

This regulation will be found at F454, under the requirements for physical environment at 42 CFR 483, Subpart B 483.70 (2) (a) (8). As a part of the requirements for healthcare, there are no provisions for alternative methods of compliance, such as waivers, FSES or performance-based design.

This final rule requires all long term care facilities, regardless of construction type, to be equipped with an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system by August 13, 2013. If the facility is located within another occupancy, such as a hospital, the LTC unit will be required to be sprinklered.

These systems must be installed in accordance with the 1999 edition of NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and maintained in accordance with the 1998 edition of NFPA 25, Standard for the Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems, once they are installed. CMS incorporated these older editions so that facilities will continue to be in compliance with the provisions of the 2000 edition of NFPA 101, the current adopted Life Safety Code standard.

Healthcare Highlights

The Fire Prevention Division has come out with a new newsletter! This was mailed out to healthcare facilities and provides a brief overview of recent news from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office, as well as some quick insights into changes or areas of concern. If you didn't receive a copy, download this first edition here.

Five Minutes to Fire Safety - Health Care Edition

Check out our new publication, 'Five Minutes to Fire Safety'! These are emailed out every few weeks and are short, one-page PDF documents that offer fire prevention tips and CMS clarifications geared towards healthcare facilities. To have your email address added to the list, contact Kenya Patzer at patzerk@ksfm.state.ks.us. Copies of 'Five Minutes to Fire Safety will be archived here:

• July 1, 2008 - Doors With 15-Second Delay
• October 14, 2008 - Combustible Decorations

The FireFacts are intended to provide additional information and/or clarification about some of the K-tags cited during healthcare inspections.

HC01 – K69 Cooking Equipment
HC02 – K144 Generator Inspection and Testing

CMS and KSFM Updates

The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services or the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office will occasionally release clarifications or updates regarding topics of common interest.

• December 2008 - Door construction, sprinkler systems, electrical wiring, smoke partitions, fire drills, generators, emergency lighting, eyewash stations and emergency showers, construction type, and inspection documentation

KSFM Training

Education Consultant Amanda Yorkey is available for staff in-service and training sessions with maintenance and administrative personnel.

Supplemental material for previous presentations:

• December 10 - KHA Webinar

Waiver Request Form

Life Safety Code Entrance Checklist

Fire Safety Survey Report, Healthcare - 2000 Code (2786R)

Nursing Home Comparison

Generator Fuel in Type 1/Level 1 Systems for Life Support

This is an example of one item that is not currently UL listed for use with a fire alarm.

Cigarette Lighters

A patient in a psychiatric hospital unit has set bedding on fire with a wristwatch that has a built-in lighter. Information on the wristwatch lighter can be found on the web site below. Please share this information with the appropriate staff in your facilities. http://www.shockinglighters.net/watchlighter/index.htm

Emergency and Exit Light Recall

The Consumer Product and Safety Commission has isued a recall of Cooper Lighting emergency and exit lights. There is a possibility these units could fail to stay illuminated in an emergency. For more specific information and the recall notice, visit the CPSC website.