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Iowa Department of Public SafetyState Fire Marshal Division Update

Kyle R. Gorsh

Fire Prevention BureauSpecial Agent in Charge

Life Safety Code Conference 2016

2000 Life Safety Code

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2012 Life Safety Code Adoption

NFPA Standards

Important NFPA standards NFPA 10, 1998 edition

NFPA 13, 1999 edition

NFPA 25, 1998 edition

NFPA 72, 1999 edition

NFPA 96, 1998 edition

NFPA 99, 1999 edition

NFPA 110, 1999 edition

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Pre-submitted Questions

Are smoke barriers required to be continuous to the roof deck/ceiling assembly?

AnswerYes. NFPA 101, 19.3.7.3 sends you to 8.3 which states:

8.3.2 Continuity – “Smoke barriers required by this Codeshall be continuous from an outside wall to an outside wall, from a floor to a floor, or from a smoke barrier to a smoke barrier or a combination thereof. Such barriers shall be continuous through concealed spaces, such as those found above a ceiling.”

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Smoke Barriers(outside wall to outside wall)

Smoke Barriers

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Pre-submitted Questions

Is a remote manual stop station required for my emergency generator?

Answer YesNFPA 110, 1999 edition 3-5.5.6

3-5.5.6* All level 1 and level 2 installations shall have a remote manual stop station of a type similar to a break glass station located outside the room housing the prime mover, where so installed or located elsewhere on the premises where the prime mover is located outside the building.

A3-5.5.6 For level 1 and level 2 systems located outdoors the manual shutdown should be located external to the weatherproof enclosure and should be appropriately identified.

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Remote Stop ButtonsBreak glass Station – May be necessary based on location.

CMS has approved emergency stop buttons.

The stop button should be labeled ‘Generator Emergency Shut-Off’ and staff should know the location.

Pre-submitted Questions

What areas of a NF/SNF don’t need sprinklers?

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Answer

NFPA 101, 2000 Edition, 19.3.5

“Where required by 19.1.6, health care facilities shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 9.7”

Continued

Answer (Cont’d)

NFPA 101, 2000 Edition, 9.7.1 Automatic Sprinklers.

9.7.1.1 – “ Each automatic sprinkler system required by another section of this Code shall be in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.”

CMS S& C Letter (October 3, 2008)

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Answer

What about Pre-built wardrobe units?

No. Yes.

Answer

What about Pre-built wardrobe units?

See the attached handout from the American Health Care Association (AHCA) for CMS clarification.

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Pre-submitted Questions

Can we have storage rooms? If so, what are the requirements?

Answer

Yes, you can have storage rooms.

2 Types of Storage Rooms

• Non-hazardous Storage Room• Hazardous Storage Room

NFPA 101, 2000 edition, 19.3.2.1

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Answer

Hazardous Storage Room

NFPA 101, 2000 edition, 19.3.2.1

19.3.2.1.5 Hazardous areas shall include, but shall not be restricted to, the following:

(7) Rooms or spaces larger than 50 ft2 (4.6 m2), including repair shops, used for storage of combustible supplies and equipment in quantities deemed hazardous by the authority having jurisdiction

Answer

Hazardous Storage RoomNFPA 101, 2000 edition, 19.3.2.1“Any hazardous areas shall be safeguarded by a fire barrier having a 1-hour fire resistance rating or shall be provided with an automatic extinguishing system in accordance with 8.4.1.”

“Where the sprinkler option is used, the areas shall be separated from other spaces by smoke partitions and doors. The doors shall be self-closing or automatic closing.

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Pre-submitted Questions

Where can we get copies of the Life Safety Code, International Fire Code, and NFPA standards?

Answer

NFPA 101, Life Safety Code - 2000 EditionNFPA Website:http://catalog.nfpa.org/NFPA-101-Life-Safety-Code-Prior-Years-P4160.aspx?icid=B484

International Fire Code – 2009 EditionInternational Code Council (ICC) Website:http://shop.iccsafe.org/codes/2009-international-codes/2009-international-fire-code.html

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Answer

NFPA StandardsNFPA Website:http://shop.iccsafe.org/codes/2009-international-codes/2009-international-fire-code.html

NFPA 10, 1998 editionNFPA 13, 1999 editionNFPA 25, 1998 editionNFPA 72, 1999 editionNFPA 96, 1998 editionNFPA 99, 1999 editionNFPA 110, 1999 edition

Pre-submitted Questions

What’s the difference between semi-annual and 6-month inspection intervals?

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Answer

For testing that is required on a semi-annual basis, we require that the testing be completed every 6 months.

Pre-submitted Questions

Is the Fire Safety Evaluation System (FSES) still available to solve regulatory problems?

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Answer

Yes, however the SFM will no longer provide the FSES.

Each facility will need to hire someone certified in FSES and provide an inspection report and FSES paperwork to the Des Moines Office for approval.

** Can’t be used in lieu of sprinkler requirements.

Pre-submitted Questions

How long does a fire alarm monitoring company have to receive a trouble signal from phone line disconnect?

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Answer

When placed in trouble (phone line disconnect), the automatic dialer shall notify all panels of the system (within the facility) and the monitoring company within 4 minutes. NFPA 72, 99 edition, Table 7-2.2 (16b).

Pre-submitted Questions

Please explain the power strip guidance in CMS S&C Letter 14-46

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Answer

CMS is permitting a categorical waiver to allow for the use of power strips in existing and new health care facility patient care areas/rooms, if the provider/supplier complies with all applicable 2012 NFPA 99 power strip requirements and with all other 1999 NFPA 99 and 2000 LSC electrical system and equipment provisions.

o Resident rooms in long-term care or other residential care facilities that do not use line-operated electrical appliances for diagnostic, therapeutic, or monitoring purposes are not subject to the more restrictive NFPA 99 requirements regarding the use of power strips in patient care areas/rooms. Resident rooms using line-operated patient-care-related electrical equipment in the patient care vicinity must comply with the NFPA 99 power strip requirement and may elect to utilize this categorical waiver.

Answer

In Summary:

The categorical waiver only applies to non-long term care facilities and residential care facilities (unless those facilities provide life support services & they need to use surge strips for additional outlets)

The SFM Surge Protector Policy can be found on our website under the Fire Prevention page.

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Pre-submitted Questions

What are the code requirements concerning scent lights (Scentsy Warmers) & de-odorizers?

Answer

Air fresheners are not prohibited in the Life Safety Code.

• Plugged in Air Fresheners• Scentsy Wax Air Fresheners

The Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals (DIA) does not permit Scentsy Warmers due to safe environment

requirements.

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Pre-submitted Questions

What are the requirements pertaining to monthly generator load testing?

AnswerNFPA 110, Emergency & Standby Power Systems, 1999 Edition, 6-4.1• Generators are to be inspected weekly and shall be exercised

under load at least monthly.

Weekly Inspection: Visually check and document generator components such as:

Fuel Level Oil Level

Cooling System Generator Housing

Battery System Housekeeping

Electrical System Lubrication System

Exhaust System Transfer Switch

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AnswerNFPA 110, Emergency & Standby Power Systems, 1999 Edition, 6-4.2

Generator sets in Level 1 and Level 2 service shall be exercised at least once a month, for a minimum of 30 minutes, using one of the following methods:

(a) Under operating temperature conditions (or) at not less than 30 percent of the EPS nameplate rating.

(a) Loading that maintains the minimum exhaust gas temperatures as recommended by the manufacturer

AnswerNFPA 110, Emergency & Standby Power Systems, 1999 Edition, 6-4.2.2

Diesel powered generators that do not meet the requirements of 6-4.2 shall be exercised monthly with the available EPSS load and exercised annually with supplemental loads at :• 25% of the nameplate rating for 30 minutes• 50% of the nameplate rating for 30 minutes• 75% of the nameplate rating for 60 minutes

For a total of 2 continuous hours.

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Pre-Submitted Questions

What type of emergency lighting is needed in the generator location?

Answer

NFPA 110, 1999 Edition, 5-3.1

Level 1 and Level 2 generator equipment locations shall be provided with battery-powered emergency lighting. The emergency lighting charging system and the normal service room lighting shall be supplied from the load side of the transfer switch.

* 5-3.2 - The intensity of illumination shall be 30 foot candles.

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Pre-submitted Questions

Who is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)?

Is it CMS?Is it the SFM?Is it the local FD?

Answer

YES

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Pre-submitted Questions

Is there a requirement to conduct disaster drills (other than fire drills) in Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Facilities?

AnswerNFPA 101, 2000 Edition, 18.7.1/19.7.1

There is a requirement to have a written plan for the protection of all persons in the event of a fire, for their evacuation to an area of refuge, and for their evacuation from the building when necessary.

All employees shall be periodically instructed and kept informed with respect to their duties under the plan.

No requirement for drills. Check with DIA about their disaster drill requirements.

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Pre-submitted Questions

Does the State Fire Marshal require Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets be tested?

Answer

No. This is not something the 1999 edition of NFPA 70, National Electric Code requires.

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Pre-submitted Questions

How many oxygen e-cylinders can be stored in a Resident Room?

AnswerThis issue was addressed in CMS C&C Letter 07-10

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AnswerThis issue was addressed in CMS C&C Letter 07-10

Up to 300 cubic feet (12 E sized cylinders) of nonflammable medical gas may be accessible as operational supply rather than storage, when properly secured (per smoke zone).

AnswerThis issue was addressed in CMS C&C Letter 07-10

• This includes areas that are open to the corridor.

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Pre-submitted Questions

When did the Fire Marshal start requiring documentation of the operator number when the system is taken off-line for fire alarm testing?

Answer

SFM Fire Inspectors have been documenting the name and number of the Monitoring Companies for approximately 13 years.

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Pre-submitted Questions

What testing form is required to be used by fire alarm testing companies?

Answer

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code, 1999 Edition, 7-5.2.2

“A permanent record of all inspections, testing, and maintenance shall be provided that include the following information regarding tests and all the applicable information requested in Figure 7-5.2.2.”

Continued

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Answer (Cont’d)

Examples of items required to be listed on fire alarm testing report

(1) Date (2) Test Frequency(3) Name of Property (4) Address(5) Name of person performing inspection, maintenance,

tests, or combination thereof, and affiliation, business address, and telephone number.

(6) Functional test of detectors(7) Disposition of problems identified during test (Ex. –

owner notified, problem corrected, successfully retested)

Answer (Cont’d)

“…and all applicable information in Figure 7-5.2.2”

Figure 7-5.2.2 is included in your handouts.

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Facility Disaster/ Emergency Plan

CMS requires the following verbiage used in your evacuation plan (used for various smoke zones):

“The residents will be evacuated from the immediate area of danger (x smoke zone) to (ysmoke zone ) located on the other side of the smoke barrier.”

Smoke Compartment Evacuation

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Facility Disaster/ Emergency Plan

Make Sure to Include:

Current Contact Information to contact the SFM Division and DIA.

Questions on your statement of deficiencies

Contact the inspector in your area if you have questions on cited deficiencies.

If you have questions reference your plan of correction, waiver submittal, or interpretations, call Kyle R. Gorsh at (515) 725-6161.

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Visit our website

www.dps.state.ia.us/fm Territory Map

Inspection forms (CMS waivers)

Frequently asked questions

Specialized locking guide

Surge protector policy

Plan of correction guide

Annunciator panel waiver information

Social Media

Twitter  ‐ @IowaSFM

Facebook  ‐ Facebook.com (search Iowa SFM)

Instagram  ‐ iowa_sfm