| Facility failed to meet the following Requirement(s): | Corrected Date | Level of Harm | Residents Affected |
| Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness.
(A) All facilities shall have a written plan to meet potential emergencies or disasters and shall request consultation and assistance annually from a local fire unit for review of fire and evacuation plans. If the consultation cannot be obtained, the facility shall inform the state fire marshal in writing and request assistance in review of the plan. An up-to-date copy of the facility ' s entire plan shall be provided to the local jurisdiction ' s emergency management director. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness.
(B) The plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. A phased response ranging from relocation of residents to an immediate area within the facility; relocation to an area of refuge, if applicable; or to total building evacuation. This phased response part of the plan shall be consistent with the direction of the local fire unit or state fire marshal and appropriate for the fire or emergency;
2. Written instructions for evacuation of each floor including evacuation to areas of refuge, if applicable, and a floor plan showing the location of exits, fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and any areas of refuge;
3. Evacuating residents, if necessary, from an area of refuge to a point of safety outside the building;
4. The location of any additional water sources on the property such as cisterns, wells, lagoons, ponds, or creeks;
5. Procedures for the safety and comfort of residents evacuated;
6. Staffing assignments;
7. Instructions for staff to call the fire department or other outside emergency services;
8. Instructions for staff to call alternative resource(s) for housing residents, if necessary;
9. Administrative staff responsibilities; and
10. Designation of a staff member to be responsible for accounting for all residents ' whereabouts. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness.
(D) A minimum of twelve (12) fire drills shall be conducted annually with at least one (1) every three (3) months on each shift. At least four (4) of the required fire drills must be unannounced to residents and staff, excluding staff who are assigned to evaluate staff and resident response to the fire drill. The fire drills shall include a resident evacuation at least once a year. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| Fire Drills and Emergency Preparedness.
(F) The fire alarm shall be activated during all fire drills unless the drill is conducted between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., when a facility-generated predetermined message is acceptable in lieu of the audible and visual components of the fire alarm. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| Fire Safety Training Requirements.
(A) The facility shall ensure that fire safety training is provided to all employees:
1. During employee orientation;
2. At least every six (6) months; and
3. When training needs are identified as a result of fire drill evaluations. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| Exits, Stairways, and Fire Escapes.
(D) An " area of refuge " shall have-
1. An area separated by one- (1-) hour rated smoke walls, from the remainder of the building. This area must have direct access to the exit stairway or access the stair through a section of the corridor that is separated by smoke walls from the remainder of the building. This area may include no more than two (2) resident rooms;
2. A two- (2-) way communication or intercom system with both visible and audible signals between the area of refuge and the bottom landing of the exit stairway, attendants ' work area, or other primary location as designated in the written plan for fire drills and evacuation;
3. Instructions on the use of the area during emergency conditions that are located in the area of refuge and conspicuously posted adjoining the communication or intercom system;
4. A sign at the entrance to the room that states " AREA OF REFUGE IN CASE OF FIRE " and displays the international symbol of accessibility;
5. An entry or exit door that is at least a one and three-fourths inch (1 3/4") solid core wood door or has a fire protection rating of not less than twenty (20) minutes with smoke seals and positive latching hardware. These doors shall not be lockable;
6. A sign conspicuously posted at the bottom of the exit stairway with a diagram showing each location of the areas of refuge;
7. Emergency lighting for the area of refuge; and
8. The total area of the areas of refuge on a floor shall equal at least twenty (20) square feet for each resident who is blind or requires the use of a wheelchair or walker housed on the floor. II
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5/20/2025
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| Complete Fire Alarm Systems.
(E) Facilities shall test by activating the complete fire alarm system at least once a month. I/II
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5/20/2025
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| Protection from Hazards.
(H) All facilities shall be divided into at least two (2) smoke sections with each section not exceeding one hundred fifty feet (150') in length or width. If the floor ' s dimensions do not exceed seventy-five feet (75') in length or width, a division of the floor into two (2) smoke sections will not be required. II
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5/20/2025
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| Sprinkler Systems.
(A) Facilities licensed on or after August 28, 2007, or any section of a facility in which a major renovation has been completed on or after August 28, 2007, shall install and maintain a complete sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA 13, 1999 edition. I/II
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5/20/2025
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| Sprinkler Systems.
(B) Facilities that have a sprinkler system installed prior to August 28, 2007, shall inspect, maintain, and test these systems in accordance with the requirements that were in effect for such facilities on August 27, 2007. I/II
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5/20/2025
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| Emergency Lighting.
(A) Emergency lighting of sufficient intensity shall be provided for exits, stairs, resident corridors, and required attendants ' station. II
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5/20/2025
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| Interior Finish and Furnishings.
(D) All curtains and drapes in a licensed facility shall be certified or treated to be flame-resistant as defined in NFPA 101, 2000 edition. II
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5/20/2025
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| Trash and Rubbish Disposal.
(A) Only metal or UL- or FM-fire-resistant rated wastebaskets shall be used for trash. II
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5/20/2025
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| Oxygen storage shall be in accordance with NFPA 99, 1999 Edition. II/III
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5/20/2025
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| In newly licensed facilities or if a new heating system is installed in an existing licensed facility, the heating of the building shall be restricted to steam, hot water, permanently installed electric heating devices or a warm air system employing central heating plants with installation such as to safeguard the inherent fire hazard, or approved installation of outside wall heaters which bear the approved label of the American Gas Association or National Board of Fire Underwriters. The foregoing requirements are applicable to residential care facilities. In assisted living facilities, the heating of the building shall be restricted to steam, hot water, permanently installed electric heating devices or a warm air system employing central heating plants with installation such as to safeguard the inherent fire hazard, or approved installation of outside wall heaters which bear the approved label of the American Gas Association or National Board of Fire Underwriters. For all facilities, oil or gas heating appliances shall be properly vented to the outside and the use of portable heaters of any kind is prohibited. If approved wall heaters are used, adequate guards shall be provided to safeguard residents. I/II
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5/20/2025
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| In facilities that are constructed or have plans approved after July 1, 2005, electrical wiring shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, 1999 edition, National Fire Protection Association, Inc., incorporated by reference, in this rule and available by mail at One Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269, and local codes. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions to the materials incorporated by reference. Facilities built between September 28, 1979 and July 1, 2005 shall be maintained in accordance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code, which was in effect at the time of the original plan approval and local codes. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions. In facilities built prior to September 28, 1979, electrical wiring shall be maintained in good repair and shall not present a safety hazard. All facilities shall have wiring inspected every two (2) years by a qualified electrician. II/III
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5/20/2025
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