Failure to Provide Fire Barrier Protection in Hazardous Area
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that hazardous areas were protected by a fire barrier with a 1-hour fire resistance rating or an automatic fire extinguishing system as required. Specifically, a battery charger for a wheelchair was observed in use within a resident's room located in B hall. The battery was being recharged during night hours while the resident was present in the room. This practice was confirmed through an interview with the facility Maintenance Director at the time of observation. The deficiency was identified during an observation on April 29, 2025, at approximately 11:31 AM. The report notes that the area where the battery charging occurred did not meet the required fire safety standards, as the room was not separated by the necessary fire barrier or equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system. The finding was based on direct observation and staff interview, with no mention of corrective actions or follow-up steps included in the report.
Plan Of Correction
Element #1 The power chair battery charger for room 10 was removed from the resident room and relocated to a non-resident care area for overnight charging. Element #2 The power chair battery charger for room 10 was removed from the resident room and relocated to a non-resident care area for overnight charging. A facility-wide audit was conducted to identify additional power wheelchairs that would require charging in the facility. All staff will be re-educated on the requirement for power chairs to be charged in non-resident care areas by 5/26/25 or prior to their next day worked in the case of the leave of absence or vacationing employee. Element #3 The EVS manager and/or designee will audit twice weekly to validate power chairs are being charged in the designated, non-resident care areas. The EVS facility manager will report recommendations and audit findings to the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee monthly, times one, and periodically thereafter. The Administrator will assume responsibility for attained compliance.