Fire Safety Deficiency Due to Inadequate Fire Watch Procedures
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its Fire Watch policy, which resulted in a deficiency related to fire safety procedures. The issue began when the water sprinkler system experienced a problem, causing low pressure after seven minutes of activation. This required the fire department to connect a water hose to assist with water pressure. The facility was on Fire Watch from 9/11/2024 to 9/17/2024, during which time the fire sprinklers were not functioning properly. Despite the critical nature of the situation, the facility did not provide an in-service training on Fire Watch procedures to all staff as required by their policy. The facility's administrator, V1, was unsure if an in-service was conducted and later confirmed that it was not done for all staff. The VP of Facilities Environmental Services and Life-safety, V5, and Corporate Maintenance, V4, indicated that only certain staff received in-service training, and there was no documentation to support this. The list of in-serviced staff was incomplete, missing many nursing staff and other departments that could be affected during a fire emergency. Additionally, the facility failed to notify the Fire Department and State Health Agency after the fire pump control was repaired and the system was restored. The new Building Manager, V9, who started during the Fire Watch period, was not informed about the Fire Watch procedures. The facility's Fire Watch policy requires that all department heads and designated staff be trained on Fire Watch procedures, and that a brief in-service be conducted at the beginning of each shift. The policy also mandates that the local fire department and State Health Department be notified in writing when the fire protection system is restored. These steps were not followed, leading to a deficiency in fire safety preparedness and communication.
Penalty
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