Frequently Asked Questions

No. The 2013 sprinkler requirement only applies to long-term care facilities. Note: Keep in mind that this applies to all long-term care facilities, regardless of construction type, number of floors, prior approved compensatory measures, etc.

All long-term care facilities must be fully sprinklered.

No waivers (new or previous) or FSES (new or previous) will be accepted. If not incompliance by the August date they will be denied payment and be terminated from the CMS program.

The 18-inch (0.46-millimeter) dimension is not intended to limit the height of shelving on a wall or shelving against a wall in accordance with 5-6.6. Where shelving is installed on a wall and is not directly below sprinklers, the shelves, including storage thereon, can extend above the level of a plane located 18 inches (0.46 millimeters) below ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

Shelving, and any storage thereon, directly below the sprinklers cannot extend above a plane located 18 inches (0.46 millimeters) below the ceiling sprinkler deflectors.

Yes. Sprinklers shall not be required in clothes closets of patient sleeping rooms in hospitals where the area of the closet does not exceed 6 feet 2 inches (0.55 millimeters squared), provided that the distance from the sprinkler in the patient sleeping room to the back wall of the closet does not exceed the maximum distance permitted by National Fire Protection Agency 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. 2012 LSC 18/19.3.5.10

A supply of spare sprinklers (never fewer than six) shall be maintained on the premises so that any sprinklers that have operated or been damaged in any way can be promptly replaced. These sprinklers shall correspond to the types and temperature ratings of the sprinklers in the property. The sprinklers shall be kept in a cabinet located where the temperature to which they are subjected will at no time exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

A special sprinkler wrench shall also be provided and kept in the cabinet to be used in the removal and installation of sprinklers. The stock of spare sprinklers shall include all types and ratings installed and shall be as follows:

• For systems having less than 300 sprinklers, not fewer than six sprinklers
• For systems with 300 to 1000 sprinklers, not fewer than 12 sprinklers
• For systems with over 1000 sprinklers, not fewer than 24 sprinklers

They do not have to use the exact forms but all of the information shown in National Fire Protection Agency 25 must be provided on the vendor forms.

CMS and Office of the State Fire Marshal will only cite facilities if the corrosion, paint, dust, or lint is heavy and would prevent proper operation.

National Fire Protection Agency Standard: Sprinklers shall be inspected from the floor level annually. Sprinklers shall be free of corrosion, foreign materials, paint, and physical damage and shall be installed in the proper orientation (e.g., upright, pendant, or sidewall). Any sprinkler shall be replaced that is painted, corroded, damaged, loaded, or in the improper orientation. 1998 National Fire Protection Agency 25, 2-2.1.1