New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 8 - HEALTH › Chapter 43G - HOSPITAL LICENSING STANDARDS › Subchapter 24 - PLANT MAINTENANCE AND FIRE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS › Section 8:43G-24.13 - Fire and emergency preparedness

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The hospital shall
				comply with the National Fire Protection Association publication,
NFPA
				101(R): Life Safety Code(R)
, 2012 Edition, specifically, chapter 18 for new
				construction and chapter 19 for existing construction; National Fire Protection
				Association (NFPA), and which is available from NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
				MA 02269-7471. Phone: Toll-free: (800) 344-3555 or Direct: (617) 770-3000. Fax: 800
				593-NFPA. Website:
www.nfpa.org
If the building
				was constructed prior to 1968, the hospital shall have the option of applying for
				approval from the Department under Fire Safety Evaluation System requirements. Such
				approval shall be obtained prior to the annual licensure inspection survey and shall
				include prearranged inspection by a Department surveyor.
(b) All employees, including part-time employees,
				temporary agency personnel, and private duty nurses shall be trained in procedures
				to be followed in the event of a fire and instructed in the use of fire-fighting
				equipment and patient evacuation of hospital buildings as part of their initial
				orientation and at least annually thereafter.
(c) All employees, including part-time employees,
				temporary agency personnel, and private-duty nurses, shall receive printed
				instructions on procedures to be followed in case of emergency, including patient
				evacuation of the buildings.
(d) A
				written evacuation diagram specific to the unit that includes evacuation procedure,
				location of fire exits, alarm boxes, and fire extinguishers shall be posted
				conspicuously on a wall in each patient care unit.
(e) Exits, stairways, doors, and corridors shall
				be kept free of obstructions.
(f) Fire
				drills shall be conducted at least 12 times per year, with at least one drill on
				each shift and one drill on a weekend.
(g) Fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected
				at least monthly; fully inspected at least annually, recharged, repaired and
				hydrotested as required by manufacturer's instructions; and labeled with the date of
				the last inspection.
(h) Fire detectors
				and alarm systems shall be inspected and tested at least twice a year by a certified
				testing agency. Written reports of the last two inspections shall be kept on
				file.
(i) Fire suppression systems shall
				be tested at least twice a year by an approved and certified testing agency. Written
				reports of the last two inspections shall be kept on file.
(j) There shall be a comprehensive, current,
				written preventive maintenance program for fire detectors, alarm systems, and fire
				suppression systems that includes regular visual inspection. This program shall be
				documented.
(k) There shall be a
				procedure for investigating and reporting fires. All fires that result in a patient
				or patients being moved shall be reported to the Department immediately by telephone
				at (609) 292-5960 or, after business hours, (800) 792-9770, and followed up in
				writing within 72 hours. In addition, a written report of the investigation shall be
				forwarded to the Department as soon as it becomes available.
(
l
) The hospital shall have an
				alternate emergency power supply. If such emergency power supply is a diesel
				emergency power generator, there shall be enough stored fuel to maintain power for
				at least 24 hours.