The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, published proposed rules this spring that would amend the fire safety standards for hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, hospice inpatient, and many other healthcare facilities that participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs.
CMS proposed adopting the 2012 editions of the Life Safety Code, which includes measures devised by the National Fire Protection Association, and includes the Healthcare Facilities Code. A key change is a requirement that buildings over 75 feet tall have sprinkler systems throughout the structure. Existing buildings would have 12 years to install them.
Automatic sprinkler systems will be required in all habitable areas, closets, roofed porches, balconies, and decks of new residential health care facilities. CMS also strongly encouraged existing facilities to be sprinklered in all habitable areas. Under the new provisions, sprinklers also must be installed in attics of new and existing residential facilities if the attic is used for living purposes, storage, or the housing of fuel-fired equipment. Or, it must have a heat detection system, be of noncombustible construction, or be constructed of fire retardant treated-wood.
Newly-constructed facilities would have to install approved smoke alarms inside every sleeping room, outside every sleeping area, and on all levels within a residential unit. CMS is soliciting public comment regarding whether that requirement should be applied to existing facilities, as well.
(http://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/new-federal-health-care-facility-regulat-93481/)
Related Stories
| Mar 18, 2014
Canadian wood industry pushes for ‘wood first’ legislation on mid-rise public projects
The wood lobby is pushing Canadian provinces to pass “wood first” legislation specifying wood framed structures as the default for mid-rise public works projects where warranted.
| Mar 13, 2014
USGBC hits back at Environmental Policy Alliance criticism
The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Policy Alliance has launched a campaign to make the claim that LEED-certified buildings are less energy efficient than other buildings. In response, USGBC told its members: "Don’t be fooled, the Environmental Policy Alliance isn’t the 'EPA' you might think."
| Mar 13, 2014
North Carolina board recommends switch to six-year code update cycle
In a nine to six vote, the North Carolina State Building Code Council on March 11 approved moving the commercial building code (except for the electrical code) to a six-year cycle for updating instead of a three-year cycle.
| Mar 13, 2014
OSHA’s funding disclosure requirement for those offering silica rule comments draws ire
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requiring those who submit comments on the silica rule to disclose their funding sources for their scientific research to avoid conflict of interest.
| Mar 13, 2014
EPA publishes ‘best management practices’ rule on erosion, stormwater at construction sites
The Environmental Protection Agency published a new rule this month that will require the construction, housing, and utility sectors to carry out "best management practices" in order to prevent erosion and harmful stormwater discharges at construction sites.
| Mar 5, 2014
San Francisco board seeks remedies to code enforcement complaints
Two supervisors charged that a lack of adequate code enforcement has led to blight from dilapidated or unfinished buildings.
| Mar 5, 2014
Obama proposes $1 billion for climate change risk mitigation
President Barack Obama would spend $1 billion to “better understand the projected impacts of climate change,” encourage local action to reduce future risk, and fund technology and infrastructure that will be more resilient to climate change.
| Mar 5, 2014
Southern Forest Products Assn. revamps pressure-treated pine specifications
It provides information to assist with the proper specification and use of pressure-treated Southern Pine materials.
| Mar 5, 2014
UL, PRI Construction Materials Technologies reach product certification agreement
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. reached an agreement with PRI Construction Materials Technologies LLC (PRI) through which PRI will participate in UL's "Data Acceptance Program," enabling the acceptance of data generated at PRI toward UL product certification.
| Mar 5, 2014
Quebec's building code doesn't meet needs of its aging population
The issue was raised in the wake of a tragic fire at a seniors' residence in L'Isle-Verte.
