Part of making sure that your healthcare facility is in compliance with the Life Safety Code is having an egress survey. An egress survey is a 15 point Life Safety or 23 K-TAGS inspection of your facility’s egress system. The survey examines a facility’s stairwells, photoluminescence / signage, corridors and life safety documentation to make sure that they are in compliance with the latest code. But what exactly are the surveyors looking for during the inspection? To help give you an idea, here are the 15 points an LSS surveyor would be checking during an egress survey:
Stairwells
- Verify stairwell signage at each access point
- Verify physical condition of stairwells
- Verify barricades and signage in stairwells above and below exit level
- Check for improper use of stairwells
Photoluminescence / Signage
- Verify ‘NO EXIT’ signs as applicable
- Verification of location and visibility of exit signs
- Review illumination of means of egress/emergency lighting
Corridors
- Verify Documentation of Fire / Smoke rating of wall, floor and ceiling finishes in exit corridors
- Review exit corridors for ceiling issues (missing / broken / skewed tiles / missing escutcheon rings)
- Measure width of exit corridors and check for obstructions
- Measure length of dead end corridors
- Measure horizontal travel distance of egress corridors to outside exit or next fire/smoke compartment
- Verification of at least two remotely located unobstructed exits per floor
Documentation
- Review Life Safety drawings
- Review written evacuation plan
A facility’s egress system is a key component to the building’s fire and life safety system. Not only is it important to keep your facility’s fire protection systems maintained, but your egress should be in compliance as well. A facility should have a clear evacuation plan, and all the exits clearly marked and free from obstacles. That way you will ensure a safe evacuation in the event of a fire!
