HospitalInspections.org

One-story Existing Health Care Occupancy buildings of Type III (200) construction are required to be protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

The facility failed to provide an automatic fire sprinkler system throughout the facility that meets the requirements of NFPA 13, Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems.

Observation determined the structural walls were concrete block and the roof assembly was constructed of combustible wood supports and wood boards. The building was not protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.

The facility failed to ensure corridors were separated from use areas by walls constructed with at least a 1/2-hour fire resistance rating.

Observation determined the corridor walls throughout the basement and main floor were not maintained as 1/2-hour fire resistant rated wall assemblies. The holes through the corridor walls caused by pipe, electrical conduit, air duct, and low-voltage wire penetrations, were not adequately sealed with fire rated material.

The facility failed to ensure that exit stairways were enclosed with construction having a fire resistance rating of at least one-hour to provide a continuous path of escape with protection provided against fire or smoke from other parts of the building.

Observation determined the north and south exit stairs from the basement discharged onto the main floor and were not arranged to provide a continuous fire resistant enclosure to the exterior of the building.