The fire alarm system testing and maintenance K-tag 345 was the most frequently cited K-tag in Ohio in 2022. Facilities must ensure a fire alarm system is tested and maintained in accordance with an approved program complying with the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 (National Electric Code) and NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code). An example of noncompliance includes a facility that is unable to provide record of sensitivity testing for the battery powered smoke detector in the resident rooms. Sensitivity shall be checked within one year after installation in accordance with 14.4.5.3.1 (NFPA 72) and every alternate year thereafter unless otherwise permitted by compliance with 14.4.5.3.3. 14.4.5.3.2 (NFPA 72). A facility would not be in compliance if they failed to provide evidence of smoke damper testing within the previous 12 months and location of dampers during the record review. All inspections and testing shall be documented indicating the location of the damper, date of inspection, name of inspector, and deficiencies discovered. The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how the deficiencies were corrected.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has updated their preventative maintenance manual to include a list of required documents they will review during the life safety code (LSC) survey. This list can be found on page 25 of the LSC Preventative Maintenance Manual 2021. ODH has restarted their quarterly emergency preparedness and life safety code committee meetings. The next committee call is scheduled for February 15 at 1:30PM. Anyone interested in attending can reach out to Stephanie DeWees at sdewees@leadingageohio.org.
LeadingAge continues to develop webinars and resources on the updated requirements of participation which will be located on the LeadingAge learning hub. QuickCasts on the regulatory groups continue to be added. Updated resources have also been added on the Nursing Home RoP Tools and Resources webpage. For more information about the updated requirements of participation and citations occurring in Ohio, please join us on the monthly STAT: Survey Tips and Tactics call. Register now for the March 8 call at 11:00AM. LeadingAge Ohio is sharing tips to assist members during the survey process. Send questions you’d like addressed in future Tips of the Week to Stephanie DeWees at sdewees@leadingageohio.org.