Bringing transparency to federal inspections
Tag No.: K0027
Based on observations, testing and interviews with facility staff, the facility failed to maintain fire protection and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to residents from smoke, fumes or panic should a fire occur. The facility did not maintain 3 of 40 plus sampled hazardous room doors to prevent impediments to closing them to limit the transfer of smoke / heated gases should a fire occur. NFPA 101-2006, 4.6.12.1 requires that "every...item of equipment / system required by this Code shall be continuously maintained in proper operating condition." Also, per NFPA 101-2006, 19.3.6.3 "must provide a means suitable for keeping the door closed (tightly closed in the frame)." This condition could allow smoke and fire gases to quickly spread, in the event of a fire, endangering building occupants.
Findings include:
At 1:45 p.m., in room 364 observed mixed storage on shelves in what had been formerly a patient room. The door lacked the required automatic or self-closing features required for storage.
At 1:55 p.m. room 215 was observed to be used for storage. Inquiry revealed that the room had formerly been a patient room and the door closer had not yet been installed.
At 2:05 p.m., in the Dialysis suite, a room used for storage, including oxygen, was tested and failed to self-close and latch. Observation revealed that the striker plate was missing and that the latching mechanism was jammed in the door.
These findings were re-confirmed during the closing conference at 4:30 p.m. with the administrator.
Tag No.: K0147
Based on observations and interviews with facility staff, the facility failed to maintain construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize hazards. The facility failed to maintain existing fire protection and life safety features such as electrical applications per the National Electric Code (NEC) and per NFPA 101-2009, 4.6.12.1, 19.3.6 & 19.3.2.1....'Features required by the Code...shall be thereafter permanently maintained'
Findings are:
During the life safety tour / observations on March 6, 2012 with the maintenance director, the following electrical applications/ conditions were not in accordance with NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code:
1. At approximately 10:30 a.m. we entered the " storage " area adjacent to the parking lot on the south side of the building. Inquiry with the maintenance director revealed that the area was formerly used as a smoking area for staff. A change in smoking policy left the space unused. The area lacks fire alarm features and is not equipped with a sprinkler. The construction is wood frame and the doors are typical of residential doors with screens. The building contains mixed storage on the floor and an open junction box could be observed from the doorway. Exposed wiring could be observed in the junction box.
2. At 1:30 p.m., in the 3rd floor employee break room, an extension cord was used to connect a microwave oven to a wall outlet.
3. At 2:10 p.m., in the 2nd floor electrical room a breaker indicated as spare was observed to be in the "on" position in the critical branch breaker panel.
4. At 2:45 p.m. in the first floor laboratory, a power strip was used to connect two large refrigerators.
5. At 2:55 p.m. a power strip was observed that supplied electrical power to a large printer in the Lab.
Note: Several non-conforming electrical connections were observed in the lab. It is recommended that an evaluation of the electrical distribution system be undertaken to eliminate the permanent use of temporary wiring.
These findings were re-confirmed with the administrator during the exit conference at 4:30 p.m.