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Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that combustible items are stored within a hazardous area. This deficiency practice fails to provide proper separation of hazardous areas from other spaces allowing the spread of fire and smoke at a faster rate, affecting 5 of 91 smoke zones. The facility has a capacity of 586 with a census of 274 at the time of the survey.

Findings include:

During the complaint inspection on 4/25/12 between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, the following is observed:

1) 5th, 6th, and 7th floors, South Tower - Linens (towels, sheets, gowns, etc...) are being stored on portable open metal shelving/carts that are approximately 6 ft in height, 2 ft in depth, and 5 ft in width. These carts have a canvas tarp over the top which covers all sides of the cart. All of these carts are being stored within the alcoves of the corridors.

Maintenance Staff A and B were present and acknowledged the deficiency. They advised that the linen carts would be move immediately to a hazardous storage room.

NFPA Standard: Hazardous areas shall be safeguarded by a fire barrier of one-hour fire resistance rating or provided with an automatic sprinkler system and doors shall have self-closing devices and positive latches. 2000 NFPA 101, 19.3.2.1 and 2000 NFPA 101, 8.4.1. When the sprinkler option is used, the areas shall be separated from other spaces by smoke-resisting ceilings, partitions, and doors. The doors shall be self closing or automatic closing. 2000 NFPA 101.

Based on observation and staff interview, the facility fails to assure that all means of egress are free of obstructions. This deficient practice fails to ensure that exits are readily accessible, affecting 1 of 91 smoke zones. The facility has a capacity of 586 with a census of 274 at the time of the survey.

Findings Include:

During the complaint inspection on 4/25/12 between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, the following is observed:

1) On the 3rd floor, South Tower, by the Nourishment Room, located/stored in the corridor - an ice chest was sitting on the top shelf of a small cart that was approximately 36" in height.

Maintenance Staff A was present and acknowledged the deficiency. Nursing Staff C indicated that cold packs are kept in the ice chest for easy access by the nursing staff who use the ice packs for the "joint care" patients throughout the day on a daily basis.

NFPA Standard: There shall be no obstructions by railings, barriers, or gates that divide the open space into sections appurtenant to individual rooms, apartments, or other occupied spaces. Where the authority having jurisdiction finds the required path of travel to be obstructed by furniture or other movable objects, the authority shall be permitted to require that such objects be secured out of the way or shall be permitted to require that railings or other permanent barriers be installed to protect the path of travel against encroachment. NFPA 101, 2000 ed., 7.1.10.2.2.

Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure that combustible items are stored within a hazardous area. This deficiency practice fails to provide proper separation of hazardous areas from other spaces allowing the spread of fire and smoke at a faster rate, affecting 5 of 91 smoke zones. The facility has a capacity of 586 with a census of 274 at the time of the survey.

Findings include:

During the complaint inspection on 4/25/12 between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, the following is observed:

1) 5th, 6th, and 7th floors, South Tower - Linens (towels, sheets, gowns, etc...) are being stored on portable open metal shelving/carts that are approximately 6 ft in height, 2 ft in depth, and 5 ft in width. These carts have a canvas tarp over the top which covers all sides of the cart. All of these carts are being stored within the alcoves of the corridors.

Maintenance Staff A and B were present and acknowledged the deficiency. They advised that the linen carts would be move immediately to a hazardous storage room.

NFPA Standard: Hazardous areas shall be safeguarded by a fire barrier of one-hour fire resistance rating or provided with an automatic sprinkler system and doors shall have self-closing devices and positive latches. 2000 NFPA 101, 19.3.2.1 and 2000 NFPA 101, 8.4.1. When the sprinkler option is used, the areas shall be separated from other spaces by smoke-resisting ceilings, partitions, and doors. The doors shall be self closing or automatic closing. 2000 NFPA 101.

Based on observation and staff interview, the facility fails to assure that all means of egress are free of obstructions. This deficient practice fails to ensure that exits are readily accessible, affecting 1 of 91 smoke zones. The facility has a capacity of 586 with a census of 274 at the time of the survey.

Findings Include:

During the complaint inspection on 4/25/12 between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, the following is observed:

1) On the 3rd floor, South Tower, by the Nourishment Room, located/stored in the corridor - an ice chest was sitting on the top shelf of a small cart that was approximately 36" in height.

Maintenance Staff A was present and acknowledged the deficiency. Nursing Staff C indicated that cold packs are kept in the ice chest for easy access by the nursing staff who use the ice packs for the "joint care" patients throughout the day on a daily basis.

NFPA Standard: There shall be no obstructions by railings, barriers, or gates that divide the open space into sections appurtenant to individual rooms, apartments, or other occupied spaces. Where the authority having jurisdiction finds the required path of travel to be obstructed by furniture or other movable objects, the authority shall be permitted to require that such objects be secured out of the way or shall be permitted to require that railings or other permanent barriers be installed to protect the path of travel against encroachment. NFPA 101, 2000 ed., 7.1.10.2.2.