K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
C

Deficiency in Corridor Door Smoke Resistance

Putnam Nursing & Rehabilitation CenterHolmes, New York Survey Completed on 03-31-2025

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that all corridor doors were designed to resist the passage of smoke, as required by the 2012 NFPA 101 standards. During a life safety survey, it was observed that the doors to the clinical social worker's office and the medical equipment storage closet were equipped with transfer grilles at the bottom, which is not permitted. Additionally, a large storage room on the first floor near the garage entrance was found to be lacking a door entirely. These deficiencies were noted on the first and third floors of the facility, and the Director of Maintenance acknowledged the issues during the survey.

Plan Of Correction

Plan of Correction: Approved April 17, 2025 K 353- Sprinkler System- Maintenance and Testing I. IMMEDIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION The 5-year internal pipe inspection of the sprinkler system was immediately scheduled with our vendor Sprinkler Company. The Maintenance Staff were educated to ensure that all required testing, inspection and maintenance was conducted on the facility's automatic sprinkler system. II. IDENTIFICATION OF OTHERS AFFECTED: All residents have the potential to be affected. In order to ensure full compliance of this standard throughout this facility, the Director of Maintenance will review any additional required Automatic Sprinkler Testing to ensure it too meets all aspects of the NFPA Standard. All other Maintenance and Testing current and up to date. III. SYSTEMIC CHANGES: A monthly compliance audit will be completed to ensure that all required Sprinkler Maintenance and Testing are done. This audit will begin (MONTH) 2025 and continue for a period of 12 months. Any negative findings will be immediately reported to facility administrator and corrected. IV. QAPI MONITORING: The findings of the audit will be reported to the facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Committee for 3 months by the Director of Maintenance. Any trends or concerns that may be identified will be discussed by the committee and any necessary interventions will be implemented. The QAPI Committee will determine the need for ongoing reporting. Completion date: 05/30/2025 Responsible Party: Director of Maintenance

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
See other K0353 citations
Missing Documentation for Required Sprinkler System Inspections
C
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain required documentation for its fire sprinkler system. During review and interview, the facility could not provide records of semi-annual inspections for valve supervisory switches or annual inspections for control valves. The maintenance supervisor confirmed that these sprinkler system inspection records were not available when requested by surveyors.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Sprinkler System Testing and Fire Drill Documentation
F
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility failed to maintain required documentation for multiple fire protection system tests and inspections, including the annual fire hydrant flow test, the five-year GPM test of the hydrant, the five-year internal inspection of the fire riser, and the five-year hydrostatic test of the FDC, as required by NFPA 101 and NFPA 25. In addition, the facility lacked records of required fire drills for each shift per quarter, with missing drills for one quarter’s third shift and for the second and third shifts of the last quarter of the prior year. The Maintenance Director acknowledged that these records were not available.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing 5-Year Internal Sprinkler System Inspection Report
D
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors determined that the facility did not maintain required documentation for its automatic sprinkler system. Record review showed the sprinkler system was past due for the mandated 5-year internal inspection, and the facility could not produce the most recent 5-year inspection report. During interview, the Maintenance Director confirmed that this inspection report was missing, and the deficiency was cited as affecting the entire facility.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Incomplete Sprinkler Inspection Records and Obstructed Exterior Sprinkler Head
E
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that required sprinkler system inspection documentation was incomplete, with only three quarterly reports available and the 2nd quarter annual sprinkler report missing. During observation of the exterior car port, one of six sprinkler heads was obstructed by underside aluminum paneling. The Administrator and Maintenance Director confirmed both the missing documentation and the obstruction.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Improper Support of Sprinkler Piping by Electrical Conduit in Two Smoke Compartments
E
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors identified that the facility did not maintain its automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA standards when electrical MC wire conduit was found resting directly on sprinkler piping above ceiling tiles in the elevator lobby areas on two separate floors, affecting two of fifteen smoke compartments. The Facility Administrator and Director of Maintenance acknowledged these sprinkler system deficiencies during interview.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Required Sprinkler System Inspection Documentation
F
K0353 K353: Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Short Summary

Surveyors identified that the facility failed to maintain required inspection and testing of its automatic sprinkler system in accordance with NFPA standards. Record review showed only one documented sprinkler inspection within the prior year, and no additional inspection records were produced despite multiple requests during the survey. The Maintenance Director confirmed that no other sprinkler inspection documentation was available, indicating that ongoing required inspections were not documented for all residents in the facility.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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