CMS Occupancy Classifications

From ASHE.org - In The Spotlight

Pending CMS Revision to S&C Letter on Occupancy Classifications
On December 17, 2010, CMS issued a Survey and Certification letter updating its occupancy classifications to ensure alignment with the 2000 edition of NFPA 101: Life Safety Code. As a result of the content of this update-S&C 11-05-LSC-ASHE has been receiving numerous telephone calls, e-mails, and traffic on the LISTSERV® about the potential impact this "clarification" could have on our members' clinics and medical office buildings.

Over the past month, ASHE Advocacy staff have been communicating with Lieutenant Commander Martin Casey, U.S. Public Health Service Life Safety Engineer, about the need for further clarification of CMS S&C 11-05-LSC: Hospital and Critical Access Hospital Facility Life Safety Code Occupancy Classification Update. Just recently LCDR Casey asked ASHE to pass along a message that "a revision is pending within CMS which should address most of the concerns of the health care field."

As of February 14, ASHE staff have not seen the proposed revisions to the S&C letter; however, we will stay on top of this issue and provide more information as it is made available.

Note: For more information on this S&C letter, please read the ASHE Issue Brief on it posted in the Advocacy Issues section of the ASHE website (under the Advocacy tab).