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K18 NFPA 101 LIFE SAFETY CODE STANDARD

Doors protecting corridor openings in other than required enclosures of vertical openings, exits, or hazardous areas are substantial doors, such as those constructed of 13/4 inch solid-bonded core wood, or capable of resisting fire for at least 20 minutes. Doors in sprinklered buildings are only required to resist the passage of smoke. There is no impediment to the closing of the doors. Doors are provided with a means suitable for keeping the door closed. Dutch doors meeting 19.3.6.3.6 are permitted. 19.3.6.3

Roller latches are prohibited by CMS regulations in all health care facilities.


Based on observation, the facility failed to maintain corridor doors to prevent smoke spread to their path of escape as evidenced by 1 door in 1 of 2 fire compartments that failed to fully close and latch.

Findings:


During the complaint investigation with the facility staff on April 12, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., the corridor door to the patient room occupied beds #5, 6 and 7 was obstructed from closure by a refrigerator. In the event of a fire in the bedroom, obstruction to the closure of a corridor door could prevent the formation of a barrier to the spread of fire and smoke into the corridor resulting in harm to patients needing to use the corridor as an evacuation path.

Means of egress are continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency. No furnishings, decorations, or other objects obstruct exits, access to, egress from, or visibility of exits. 7.1.10

Based on observation, the facility failed to maintain egress pathways free from obstructions. In the event of smoke and/or fire, an unobstructed means of egress is essential in prompt evacuation of personnel and staff as well as facilitating the fire department in response to an emergency.

Findings:

During the complaint investigation with the facility staff on April 12, 2010 at 2:05 p.m., the following was observed:

1. At 2:10 p.m. the exit hallway in the emergency room was obstructed with rack of oxygen tanks, soiled linen containers and the trash containers. This exit hallway was used to evacuate the residents in case of a fire emergency.

The Chief Operating Officer was informed that exit corridor needed to be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times.


2. At 2:20 p.m., the exit door from the Physical Therapy to the outside was blocked by a big chair and a furniture. This exit door was used to evacuate the residents in case of a fire emergency.

The Chief Operating Officer was informed that exit door needed to be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times.

K18 NFPA 101 LIFE SAFETY CODE STANDARD

Doors protecting corridor openings in other than required enclosures of vertical openings, exits, or hazardous areas are substantial doors, such as those constructed of 13/4 inch solid-bonded core wood, or capable of resisting fire for at least 20 minutes. Doors in sprinklered buildings are only required to resist the passage of smoke. There is no impediment to the closing of the doors. Doors are provided with a means suitable for keeping the door closed. Dutch doors meeting 19.3.6.3.6 are permitted. 19.3.6.3

Roller latches are prohibited by CMS regulations in all health care facilities.


Based on observation, the facility failed to maintain corridor doors to prevent smoke spread to their path of escape as evidenced by 1 door in 1 of 2 fire compartments that failed to fully close and latch.

Findings:


During the complaint investigation with the facility staff on April 12, 2010 at 1:30 p.m., the corridor door to the patient room occupied beds #5, 6 and 7 was obstructed from closure by a refrigerator. In the event of a fire in the bedroom, obstruction to the closure of a corridor door could prevent the formation of a barrier to the spread of fire and smoke into the corridor resulting in harm to patients needing to use the corridor as an evacuation path.

Means of egress are continuously maintained free of all obstructions or impediments to full instant use in the case of fire or other emergency. No furnishings, decorations, or other objects obstruct exits, access to, egress from, or visibility of exits. 7.1.10

Based on observation, the facility failed to maintain egress pathways free from obstructions. In the event of smoke and/or fire, an unobstructed means of egress is essential in prompt evacuation of personnel and staff as well as facilitating the fire department in response to an emergency.

Findings:

During the complaint investigation with the facility staff on April 12, 2010 at 2:05 p.m., the following was observed:

1. At 2:10 p.m. the exit hallway in the emergency room was obstructed with rack of oxygen tanks, soiled linen containers and the trash containers. This exit hallway was used to evacuate the residents in case of a fire emergency.

The Chief Operating Officer was informed that exit corridor needed to be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times.


2. At 2:20 p.m., the exit door from the Physical Therapy to the outside was blocked by a big chair and a furniture. This exit door was used to evacuate the residents in case of a fire emergency.

The Chief Operating Officer was informed that exit door needed to be maintained clear and unobstructed at all times.