HospitalInspections.org

Based on observation the facility failed to ensure that doors that are held in an open position are done so only by approved closers connected to the fire alarm system for the laundry area and a storage area. This affects all patients in a census of 31. Findings included:
Observation during tour of the facility on 7/12/10 revealed that at 8:30 a.m. while staff was processing laundry in the room a wood wedge was placed under the door to the corridor to hold it in an open position. Observation a half hour later revealed that the wood wedge was not in place and the room had no personnel.
Observations during tour on 7/12/10 revealed that an area used for office space for two persons and general storage of strollers and car seats for infants had a wood wedge under the door to the corridor holding it in an open position.

Based on observations the facility failed to ensure that all sprinklers were unobstructed and would provide extinguishment protection in two corridor areas of the facility. The facility census was 31. Findings included:
1. Observations during tour of the facility on 7/12/10 revealed an entry corridor into the therapy gym protected by smoke detectors and two sprinkler heads. Both sprinkler heads were located on opposite ends of a duct suspended below the ceiling. The sprinkler heads were approximately one and a half foot above the bottom of the duct and within one foot of the end of the duct. The placement near the duct if the sprinkler should ever be activated due to fire would not provide protection to the middle of the corridor area. The corridor area was approximately 25 feet in length.
2. One sprinkler head was noted to provide protection to a short corridor outside the volunteer staffing office. The sprinkler was located at the intersection of a large round duct and a square duct. A light for the area was also located near to and below the sprinkler location. The sprinkler was located above all three of these items and if activated due to fire would not be able to provide full sprinkler protection to the corridor as the proximity and size of the obstructions would prevent proper flow and complete coverage of the area. The sprinkler was above and within two to three feet of the three obstructions. The sprinkler was two foot above the bottom of the light, four foot above the bottom of the round duct and approximately one and half foot above the bottom of the square duct. The ducts were large ventilation ducts.