N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 816.23

Current through Register No. 45, November 7, 2024
Section He-P 816.23 - Fire Safety
(a) All EHCs shall meet the requirements of the appropriate chapter of NFPA 101 as adopted by the commissioner of the department of safety in Saf-C 6000 under RSA 153, and as amended pursuant to RSA 153:5, I, by the state fire marshal with the board of fire control.
(b) All EHCs that have overnight beds shall have:
(1) Smoke detectors on every level and in every sleeping room that are interconnected to the building's fire alarm system and either hardwired, powered by the EHC's electrical service, or AC 120 volt wireless, as approved by the state fire marshal;
(2) At least one UL Listed, ABC type portable fire extinguisher, with a minimum rating of 2A-10BC, installed on every level of the building, and which meets the following requirements:
a. Maximum travel distance to each extinguisher shall not exceed 50 feet;
b. Fire extinguishers shall be inspected either manually or by means of an electronic monitoring device or system at least once per calendar month, at intervals not exceeding 31 days;
c. Records for manual inspection or electronic monitoring shall be kept to demonstrate that at least 12 monthly inspections have been performed for the most recent 12-month period;
d. Annual maintenance shall be performed on each extinguisher by trained personnel, and each extinguisher shall have a tag or label securely attached that indicates that maintenance was performed; and
e. The components of the electronic monitoring device or system shall be tested and maintained annually in accordance with the manufacturer's listed maintenance manual; and
(3) An approved carbon monoxide monitor on every level.
(c) An emergency and fire safety program shall be developed and implemented to provide for the safety of students and personnel.
(d) The EHC shall immediately notify the department by phone, fax, or electronic mail within 24 hours and in writing within 72 hours of any fire or situation, excluding a false alarm, that requires either an emergency response to the EHC or the evacuation of the licensed premises.
(e) The written notification required by (d) above shall include:
(1) The date and time of the incident;
(2) A description of the location and extent of the incident, including any injuries to students or personnel or damage sustained by the EHC;
(3) A description of events preceding and following the incident;
(4) The name of any personnel or students who were evacuated as a result of the incident, if applicable;
(5) The name of any personnel or students who required medical treatment as a result of the incident, if applicable; and
(6) The name of the individual the licensee wishes the department to contact if additional information is required.
(f) For the use and storage of oxygen and other related gases, EHCs shall comply with NFPA 99 as adopted by the commissioner of the department of safety as Saf-C 6000, under RSA 153, and as amended pursuant to RSA 153:5, I, by the state fire marshal with the board of fire control, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) All freestanding compressed gas cylinders shall be firmly secured to the adjacent wall or secured in a stand or rack;
(2) Storage locations shall be outdoors in an enclosure or within an enclosed interior space of noncombustible or limited-combustible construction, with doors, or with gates if outdoors, that can be secured against unauthorized entry;
(3) Oxidizing gases, such as oxygen and nitrous oxide, shall:
a. Not be stored with any flammable gas, liquid, or vapor;
b. Be separated from combustibles or incompatible materials by:
1. A minimum distance of 20 ft (6.1 m);
2. A minimum distance of 5 ft (1.5 m) if the entire storage location is protected by an automatic sprinkler system designed in accordance with NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems; or
3. An approved, enclosed flammable liquid storage cabinet of noncombustible construction having a minimum fire protection rating of one-half hour for cylinder storage; and
c. Shall be secured in an upright position, such as with racks or chains;
(4) A precautionary sign, readable from a distance of 5 ft (1.5 m), shall be conspicuously displayed on each door or gate of the storage room or enclosure, and shall include, at a minimum, the following: "CAUTION, OXIDIZING GAS(ES) STORED WITHIN - NO SMOKING"; and
(5) Precautionary signs, readable from a distance of 5 ft (1.5 m), and with language such as "OXYGEN IN USE, NO SMOKING", shall be conspicuously displayed wherever supplemental oxygen is in use and in aisles and walkways leading to the area of use, and shall be attached to adjacent doorways or to building walls or be supported by other appropriate means.
(g) Evacuation drills shall include the transmission of a fire alarm signal and simulation of emergency fire condition.
(h) Evacuation drills shall be conducted monthly if the EHC has licensed beds or quarterly if it does not have beds and vary in time to include all personnel.
(i) All personnel shall participate in at least one drill quarterly.
(j) For personnel who are unable to participate in the scheduled drill described in (i) above, on the day they return to work the administrator or designee shall, if applicable, instruct them as to any changes in the facility's fire and emergency plan and document such instruction in their personnel file.
(k) Personnel who are unable to participate in a drill in accordance with (i) above shall participate in a drill within the next quarter.
(l) Per-diem or temporary personnel shall not be the only person on duty unless they have:
(1) Participated in at least one actual fire drill in the facility in the past year; and
(2) Participated in the facility's orientation program pursuant to He-P 816.18(g) (5) .
(m) All emergency and evacuation drills shall be documented and include the following information:
(1) The names of the personnel and students involved in the evacuation;
(2) The time, including AM or PM, date, month, and year the drill was conducted;
(3) The exits utilized;
(4) The total time necessary to evacuate the EHC;
(5) The time needed to complete the drill; and
(6) Any problems encountered and corrective actions taken to rectify problems.

N.H. Admin. Code § He-P 816.23

#9193, eff 6-26-08

Amended by Volume XXXVI Number 45, Filed November 10, 2016, Proposed by #11199, Effective 10/14/2016, Expires 4/12/2017.
Amended by Volume XXXVII Number 23, Filed June 8, 2017, Proposed by #12197, Effective 6/2/2017, Expires 6/2/2027.