CMS has published the long-awaited K-Tags that reflect the adoption of the 2012 codes (NFPA 101-2012® Life Safety Code® and NFPA 99-2012 Health Care Facilities Code).  Note that both of these codes also invoke many other NFPA codes and standards that can be between 10- and 15 years newer than the previously-enforced editions.

K-Tags are requirements pertaining to the adopted codes and related standards.  They will be scored by state agency surveyors surveying on behalf of CMS.  The Accrediting Organizations will also assess health care organization compliance with the requirements of these K-Tags.

Readers are encouraged to obtain a copy of these K-Tags, which are available as a document entitled “Form CMS—2786R, 2012, 10/2016”.

PART I – NFPA 101 LSC REQUIREMENTS includes Sections 1 through 7

These sections cover the following broad categories:

SECTION 1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS contains 9 K-Tags

SECTION 2 – MEANS OF EGRESS REQUIREMENTS contains 26 K-Tags

SECTION 3 – PROTECTION contains 31 K-Tags

SECTION 4 – SPECIAL PROVISIONS contains 2 K-Tags

SECTION 5 – BUILDING SERVICES contains 10 K-Tags

SECTION 6 – RESERVED (not presently used)

SECTION 7 – OPERATING FEATURES contains 11 K-Tags

PART II – HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CODE REQUIREMENTS contains 34 K-Tags reflecting NFPA 99-2012 requirements

SECTION 1 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS, includes the following K-Tags:

• K100 General Requirements – Other
• K111 Building Rehabilitation
• K112 Sprinkler Reqmts for Major Rehab
• K131 Multiple Occupancies – Sections of HCFs
• K132 Multiple Occupancies – Contiguous Non-Health Care Occupancies
• K133 Multiple Occupancies – Construction Type
• K161 Building Construction Type and Height
• K162 Roofing Systems Involving Combustibles
• K163 Interior Nonbearing Wall Construction

SECTION 2 – MEANS OF EGRESS REQUIREMENTS, includes the following K-Tags:

• K200 Means of Egress – Other
• K211 Means of Egress – General
• K221 Patient Sleeping Room Doors
• K222 Egress Doors
• K223 Doors with Self-Closing Devices
• K224 Horizontal-Sliding Doors
• K225 Stairways and Smokeproof Enclosures
• K226 Horizontal Exits
• K227 Ramps and Other Exits
• K231 Means of Egress Capacity
• K232 Aisle, Corridor or Ramp Width
• K233 Clear Width of Exit and Exit Access Doors
• K241 Number of Exits – Story and Compartment
• K251 Dead-End Corridors and Common Path of Travel
• K252 Number of Exits – Corridors
• K253 Number of Exits – Patient Sleeping & Non-Sleeping Rooms
• K254 Corridor Access
• K255 Suite Separation, Hazardous Content, and Subdivision
• K256 Sleeping Suites
• K257 Non-Sleeping Suites
• K261 Travel Distance to Exits
• K271 Discharge from Exits
• K281 Illumination of Means of Egress
• K291 Emergency Lighting
• K292 Life Support Means of Egress
• K293 Exit Signage

SECTION 3 – PROTECTION, includes the following K-Tags:

• K300 Protection – Other
• K311 Vertical Openings – Enclosure
• K321 Hazardous Areas – Enclosure
• K322 Laboratories
• K323 Anesthetizing Locations
• K324 Cooking Facilities
• K325 Alcohol Based Hand Rub Dispenser (ABHR)
• K331 Interior Wall and Ceiling Finish
• K332 Interior Floor Finish
• K341 Fire Alarm System – Installation
• K342 Fire Alarm System – Initiation
• K343 Fire Alarm – Notification
• K344 Fire Alarm – Control Functions
• K345 Fire Alarm System – Testing and Maintenance
• K346 Fire Alarm – Out of Service
• K347 Smoke Detection
• K351 Sprinkler System – Installation
• K352 Sprinkler System – Supervisory Signals
• K353 Sprinkler System – Maintenance and Testing
• K354 Sprinkler System – Out of Service
• K355 Portable Fire Extinguishers
• K361 Corridors – Areas Open to Corridor
• K362 Corridors – Construction of Walls
• K363 Corridor – Doors
• K364 Corridor – Openings
• K371 Subdivision of Building Spaces – Smoke Compartments
• K372 Subdivision of Building Spaces – Smoke Barrier Construction
• K373 Subdivision of Building Spaces – Accumulation Space
• K374 Subdivision of Building Spaces – Smoke Barrier Doors
• K379 Smoke Barrier Door Glazing
• K381 Sleeping Room Outside Windows and Doors

SECTION 4 – SPECIAL PROVISIONS, includes the following K-Tags:

• K400 Special Provisions – Other
• K421 High-Rise Buildings

SECTION 5 – BUILDING SERVICES, includes the following K-Tags:

• K500 Building Services – Other
• K511 Utilities – Gas and Electric
• K521 HVAC
• K522 HVAC – Any Heating Device
• K523 HVAC – Suspended Unit Heaters
• K524 HVAC – Direct-Vent Gas Fireplaces
• K525 HVAC – Solid Fuel-Burning Fireplaces
• K531 Elevators
• K532 Escalators, Dumbwaiters, and Moving Walks
• K541 Rubbish Chutes, Incinerators, and Laundry Chutes

SECTION 6 – RESERVED is not presently used.

SECTION 7 – OPERATING FEATURES, includes the following K-Tags:

• K700 Operating Features – Other
• K711 Evacuation and Relocation Plan
• K712 Fire Drills
• K741 Smoking Regulations
• K751 Draperies, Curtains, and Loosely Hanging Fabrics
• K752 Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses
• K753 Combustible Decorations
• K754 Soiled Linen and Trash Containers
• K771 Engineer Smoke Control Systems
• K781 Portable Space Heaters
• K791 Construction, Repair, and Improvement Operations

The document does not presently contain a Section 8.

PART II – HEALTH CARE FACILITIES CODE REQUIREMENTS includes the following K-Tags although it is not identified as a Section 9:

• K900 HC Facilities – Other
• K901 Fundamentals – Building Systems Categories
• K931 Hyperbaric Facilities
• K932 Features of Fire Protection – Other
• K933 Features of Fire Protection – Fire Loss Prevention in ORs
• K902 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Other
• K903 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Categories
• K904 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Warning Systems
• K905 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Central Supply System Identification and Labeling
• K906 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Central Supply System Operations
• K907 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Maintenance Program
• K908 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Inspection and Testing Operations
• K909 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Information and Warning Signs
• K910 Gas and Vacuum Piped Systems – Modifications
• K911 Electrical Systems – Other
• K912 Electrical Systems – Receptacles
• K913 Electrical Systems – Wet Procedure Locations
• K914 Electrical Systems – Maintenance and Testing
• K915 Electrical Systems – Essential Electrical System Categories
• K916 Electrical Systems – Essential Electrical System Alarm Annunciator
• K917 Electrical Systems – Essential Electrical System Receptacles
• K918 Electrical Systems – Essential Electrical System Maintenance and Testing
• K919 Electrical Equipment – Other
• K920 Electrical Equipment – Power Cords and Extension Cords
• K921 Electrical Equipment – Testing and Maintenance Requirements
• K922 Gas Equipment – Other
• K923 Gas Equipment – Cylinder and Container Storage
• K924 Gas Equipment – Testing and Maintenance Requirements
• K925 Gas Equipment – Respiratory Therapy Sources of Ignition
• K926 Gas Equipment – Qualifications and Training of Personnel
• K927 Gas Equipment – Transfilling Cylinders
• K928 Gas Equipment – Labeling Equipment and Cylinders
• K929 Gas Equipment – Precautions for Handling Oxygen Cylinders and Manifolds
• K930 Gas Equipment – Liquid Oxygen Equipment

We will address some of these K-Tags in more detail within future newsletters.

You may contact the writer at DStymiest@ssr-inc.com if you have questions on this content or if you would assistance with your AEM program.