The Fire Marshal’s office has received a few questions lately about the fuel testing requirement that CMS has issued. Here are some supporting elements to meet this requirement:

NFPA 110 8.3.8 says “A fuel quality test shall be performed at least annually using tests approved by ASTM standards.” What this means is that we will be needing to see the analysis which is usually a one page document from a laboratory. This testing also just applies for diesel fuel. The OSFM wants to make this process to having the fuel tested as easy as possible for facilities. With that in mind, we will not be enforcing this until March 19th. In addition to that, read the waiver request form and instructions on how to apply for a waiver.

  1. Complete the top portion of the wavier (name of facility down to the requested waiver end date).
  2. EVIDENCE THE DEFICIENCY DOES NOT POSE A HAZARD TO THE OCCUPANTS – Please address the life safety equipment within your facility. (i.e.  fire alarm system, smoke detected, fire extinguisher, pull stations…..)
  3. HOW CORRECTION OF THE DEFICIENCY POSES A HARDSHIP TO THE FACILITY – Please address why your facility is needing the extra time to complete this deficiency.
  4. CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES – This is a timeline from the beginning to the completion of the deficiency. (i.e. contacted vendor  (calendar date), bid accepted (calendar date), fire alarm plans submitted to OSFM (calendar date), vendor to start the FA installment  (calendar date), FA installment completed (calendar date and this date must be the same as the requested waiver end date at the top of waiver form)
  5. ADDITIONAL SAFETY MEASURES IMPLEMENTED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DEFICIENCY – Must choose 2 safety measures.

Please reach out to Joel Beckner in the Fire Marshal’s office if you have more questions, you can reach him by email or by phone at (785) 296-0659.

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Rachel Monger, JD, LACHA is President/CEO. Rachel joined LeadingAge Kansas in 2011 as the Director of Government Affairs and has been a powerful voice for our membership ever since. Rachel is a Kansas licensed attorney and adult care home administrator. She received her bachelor’s degree from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Great Barrington, MA, and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law. Over the years, Rachel has served in many volunteer roles in her community and in the state of Kansas to support senior needs, aging services education, and community mental health services. She is also a member of the Board of Governors for the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund. As an award-winning trial lawyer, turned award-winning senior care advocate, she has spent nearly two decades passionately supporting quality of care and quality of life for Kansas seniors. When not at work, Rachel loves reading, crafting, volunteering with her church, and spending time with her partner Steven. You can reach Rachel directly at 785.670.8046.