F0921

E

Failure to Maintain Heating Units and Thermostats in Good Repair

Mentor, Ohio Survey Completed on 02-05-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain heating units in good repair, resulting in malfunctioning thermostats and an overheating incident. A fire department incident report documented that a blower motor belt in the conference room heating unit began smoking and generating excessive heat, which triggered the facility’s fire alarm system. The Administrator reported that the motor on this heating unit had frozen, causing the belt to smoke and produce excessive heat.

Subsequent review of facility documentation titled "Monitoring of Heaters" showed that 18 thermostats were not functioning correctly in identified resident rooms, affecting 20 residents. A service quote confirmed that 21 thermostats in the building required replacement, including two in non-resident areas. The Administrator confirmed that the rooms listed on the monitoring document were resident rooms identified during a heating unit inspection. The facility’s own "Quality of Life – Homelike Environment" policy stated that residents are to be provided a safe, clean, comfortable environment with comfortable and safe temperatures, which was not met due to the malfunctioning heating equipment.