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Resources for Health-Care Facilities |
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. |
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:
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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.
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Life Safety Code Entrance Checklist Fire Safety Survey Report, Healthcare - 2000 Code (2786R) Generator Fuel in Type 1/Level 1 Systems for Life Support
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| Fire Alarm Components |
| Make sure your fire alarm components are UL listed for use with a fire
alarm. There are products on the market, and in use as fire alarm equipment
in healthcare facilities. If the component it is not listed for this
use, the fire alarm is not in compliance with NFPA 72. If the component
is not a fire alarm brand you recognize ask to see the specifications.
Absence of a statement saying it is UL listed for use with a fire alarm
means it should not be used – even if the literature or the company’s
tech support states that it can be used with a fire alarm.
This is an example of one item that is not currently UL listed for
use with a fire alarm. |
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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
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