As we have previously reported, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) adopted the 2012 version of the Life Safety Code (NFPA) earlier this summer. The good news is that the 2012 version contained a number of initiatives that were supported by the American Health Care Association and the Pioneer Network.

The bad news is that the changes affect the 2012 version of the Life Safety Code … not the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code. At this point in time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires compliance with the 2000 edition of the code. So these changes will not be applicable to nursing facilities until CMS adopts the 2012 version. At best … that could be in 2014.

We have had discussions with Jim Merrill at the CMS central office about the possibility of CMS issuing a memorandum adopting certain parts of the 2012 edition prior to full adoption of the code. Mr. Merrill was open to the idea but to date, we have seen nothing.

Positive changes included in the 2012 edition include:

• Kitchens serving no more than 30 residents will be permitted to be open to the corridor and other spaces, and either residential or commercial stoves or cooktops may be used provided certain criteria are met.
• Furniture may be provided in corridors so that residents can sit and rest and then continue to their destination provided certain criteria are met.
• Combustible decorations will be permitted in resident rooms, corridors, on doors, and in common space. There are limitations on the percentage of coverage depending on whether the building is sprinklered and where located.
• Gas or electric fireplaces will be allowed to be used in smoke compartments that contain sleeping rooms, but not within individual sleeping rooms, with some restrictions. Some of the restrictions are that the controls must be locked and a sealed glass front must be provided to prevent anyone from throwing objects into the flames.

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

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