NFPA Notes
All areas of the building shall be accessible: All areas of the facility must be accessible during all shifts by the charge nurse (or another designated staff, i.e. security) so that in the case of a fire, staff (including emergency response staff) can find and fight the fire (when possible). Reports show that recently facilities in varying areas of the country have had fires in areas that were locked (such as laundry rooms or the kitchen) during the evening/night shifts. When the fire alarm system sounded, staff did not have a key accessible to gain entry into the locked areas causing a delay in the response time.
- NFPA 2012 101, 19.7.2.1.1
For health care occupancies, the proper protection of patients shall require the prompt and effective response of health care personnel.
- NFPA Standard: 2012 NFPA 101, 19.1.1.3.1
All health care facilities shall be designed, constructed, maintained, and operated to minimize the possibility of a fire emergency requiring the evacuation of occupants.
- NFPA 101 2012, 4.8.2.1
Emergency plans shall include the following:
(1) Procedures for reporting of emergencies
(2) Occupant and staff response to emergencies
(3) Evacuation procedures appropriate to the building, its occupancy, emergencies, and hazards (see Section 4.3)
(4) Appropriateness of the use of elevators
(5) Design and conduct of fire drills
(6) Type and coverage of building fire protection systems
(7) Other items required by the authority having jurisdiction
- NFPA 2012 101, 7.2.1.1.3.2
Where means of egress doors are locked in a building that is not considered occupied, occupants shall not be locked beyond their control in buildings or building spaces, except for lockups in accordance with 22.4.5 and 23.4.5, detention and correctional occupancies, and health care occupancies.