Table of Contents
Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center
Deficiency Details, Certification Survey, November 25, 2011
PFI: 7875
Regional Office: MARO--New York City Area
K22 NFPA 101: ENCLOSURE DOORS
Scope: Isolated
Severity: Potential for more than Minimal Harm
Corrected Date: January 3, 2012
Access to exits is marked by approved, readily visible signs in all cases where the exit or way to reach exit is not readily apparent to the occupants. 7.10.1.4
Citation date: November 25, 2011
REPECT DEFICIENCY
Based on observations and interview it was determined that the facility did not ensure that exit access from the electrical/ generator room leading to the public way was marked with appropriate directional signs.
This resulted in no actual harm with potential for greater than minimal harm that is not immediate jeopardy.
The findings are:
During the annual Life Safety Code Survey on 11/18/11 at approximately 10:15 am, the following was observed.
The electrical/ generator room located in the basement of the facility was equipped with three doors of the same design and color. Two of these doors lead into an enclosed area and the other directly to the corridor that will lead occupants to the closest stairway exit and out into the public way. None of these doors was identified as a means of egress from this area.
In an interview with the Director of Facility's Management at approximately 10:45 am on 11/18/11, she stated that the exit signs would be ordered an installed as soon as possible.
711.2 (a) (1)
K71 NFPA 101: LINEN AND TRASH CHUTES
Scope: Isolated
Severity: Potential for more than Minimal Harm
Corrected Date: January 17, 2012
Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators and Laundry Chutes: (1) Any existing linen and trash chute, including pneumatic rubbish and linen systems, that opens directly onto any corridor is sealed by fire resistive construction to prevent further use or is provided with a fire door assembly having a fire protection rating of 1 hour. All new chutes comply with section 9.5. (2) Any rubbish chute or linen chute, including pneumatic rubbish and linen systems, is provided with automatic extinguishing protection in accordance with 9.7. (3) Any trash chute discharges into a trash collection room used for no other purpose and protected in accordance with 8.4. (4) Existing flue-fed incinerators are sealed by fire resistive construction to prevent further use. 19.5.4, 9.5, 8.4, NFPA 82
Citation date: November 25, 2011
Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility did not ensure that the door to the linen chute was maintained to be self-closing or automatic closing. This was evidenced by the linen chute door being held open with stacks of soiled linen wedged within the chute door and its frame.
The findings include:
On 11/18/11 at approximately 12:00 pm, the following was observed:
The door to the linen chute was noted to be propped open with numerous bags of dirty laundry wedged within the chute door and its frame.
In an interview with the Director of Facility's Management at approximately 12:15 pm on 11/18/11, she stated that the housekeeping staff comes around approximately 3 times per shift to remove the soiled linen to prevent the blockage. She further stated that he would inform the housekeeping staff of the present situation so that something can be done immediately.
NFPA 82, NFPA 101 2000 19.5.4, 9.5
711.2 (a) (1)