Long Term Care Issues: Life Safety Code Update

Due to a drafting error in the 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code ("LSC), interior wall finishes that had were in place before 2000 and that were less than 1/28" in thickness were inadvertently subject to regulations that required documentation of flammability or flame spreading ratings. While the 2000 version did in fact intend to regulate interior wall finishes less than 1/28" in thickness that were completed after the publication of the LSC, it was only recently discovered that the drafters had accidentally omitted an exception for interior finishes in existence prior to the 2000 publication. Unfortunately, due to the oversight, hundreds of thousands of dollars in deficiency citations have been issued to date. If your facility has been cited under the oversight, you are encouraged to contact your state survey agency contact personnel to seek clarification.

If you have questions about the 2000 LSC or the omitted exception, please contact Susan Ziel at 317-238-6244.