The Kansas Fire Marshal has distributed a Q & A on a few different topics from CMS that nursing homes may be struggling with.
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CMS Question and Answer
2012 NFPA 101
Delayed egress doors must swing in the direction of egress travel. Signage should not be
changed to say, ‘Keep Pulling’. The signage is required, even if it is on a memory care unit.
Signage must also be on a contrasting background.
7.2.1.6.1.1
The door leaves shall unlock in the direction of egress
A readily visible, durable sign in letters not less than 1 in. (25 mm) high and not less than 1⁄8 in. (3.2
mm) in stroke width on a contrasting background that reads as follows shall be located on the door leaf
adjacent to the release device in the direction of egress:
- PUSH UNTILALARM SOUNDS
- DOOR CAN BE OPENED IN 15 SECONDS
2010 NFPA 72
Sensitivity testing is required within one year of install, two years after that and if there are
no problems may be extended to every five years – but only if records of nuisance alarms are
maintained.
14.4.5.3.1 Sensitivity shall be checked within 1 year after installation.
14.4.5.3.2 Sensitivity shall be checked every alternate year thereafter unless otherwise permitted
by compliance with 14.4.5.3.3.
14.4.5.3.3 After the second required calibration test, if sensitivity tests indicate that the device
has remained within its listed and marked sensitivity range (or 4 percent obscuration light gray
smoke, if not marked), the length of time between calibration tests shall be permitted to be
extended to a maximum of 5 years.
14.4.5.3.3.1 If the frequency is extended, records of nuisance alarms and subsequent trends of
these alarms shall be maintained.
14.4.5.3.3.2 In zones or in areas where nuisance alarms show any increase over the previous
year, calibration tests shall be performed.
2012 NFPA 101
Hazard room doors shall be self-closing. If held open with a magnet, the magnet must be
tied to the fire alarm.
19.3.2.1.3 The doors shall be self-closing or automatic-closing.
2010 NFPA 110
Diesel generator fuel shall be tested annually.
8.3.8 A fuel quality test shall be performed at least annually using tests approved by ASTM
standards.
7.9.1.2* Fuel system design shall provide for a supply of clean fuel to the prime mover.
A.7.9.1.2 Commercial distillate fuel oils used in modern diesel engines are subject to various
detrimental effects. The origin of the crude oil, refinement processing techniques, time of year,
and geographical consumption location all aid in the determination of fuel blend formulas.
Sulfur, naturally occurring gums, waxes, soluble metallic soaps, water, dirt, and temperature all
begin to degrade fuel as it is handled and stored. These effects begin at the time of fuel
refinement and continue until consumption. Proper fuel storage is critical to engine start-up,
efficiency, and longevity. Storage tanks should be kept water-free and have provisions for
drainage on a scheduled basis. Water can contribute to steel tank corrosion and the potential
development of microbiological growth where fuel and water interface. Copper and its alloys,
along with zinc or zinc coatings, should be avoided in fuel-handling systems. These elements can
react with fuel to form certain gels or organic acids, resulting in clogging of filters or further
system corrosion. Stable storage temperatures are conducive to fuel health. Tanks that are
aboveground and subject to extreme daily temperature variations cause fuel to degrade more
rapidly. This is further exacerbated with large aboveground tanks that are less than full. Airspace
allows for condensation that can further add to the contaminant levels. Reflective exterior tank
coatings reduce but do not eliminate the solar heating effect. Scheduled fuel maintenance and
testing help to reduce or nearly eliminate fuel contamination. Fuel maintenance filtration can
remove contaminants and water and return fuel to conditions where it will provide reliability and
efficiency for standby generators when called upon in emergency conditions. Fuel maintenance
and testing should begin the day of installation and first fill to establish a benchmark guideline
for further comparison. Fuel monitoring and testing services are available nationwide from many
companies
