“Don’t put off building this step into your strategic capital plan because you have five years to comply. Start planning for the installation of the sprinklers now,” urges Deborah Elsey, health care principal with LarsonAllen.

Types of providers required to abide by the new regulation
All long-term care facilities must have complete sprinkler systems in place by August 13, 2013. This rule applies to free-standing and hospital-attached nursing homes. Previously, the federal government didn’t require existing homes to supply automatic sprinkler systems, but the new regulation pertains to both new and old buildings.

According to CMS, nearly 16,000 nursing homes with approximately three million residents will be held to the improved safety standard.

Percentage of facilities not in compliance
Per CMS’ estimates, there are 2,446 long-term care facilities across the nation that either don’t have sprinkler systems or are only partially up to code.

Based on June 2008 data from CMS, the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) reimbursement and research department estimates that 11 percent of the country’s nursing facilities are only partially outfitted with sprinklers while 2.5 percent have no sprinklers. AHCA’s chart identifies the percentage of facilities by state that will be required to install full sprinkler systems.

Automatic sprinkler system requirements
The sprinkler systems must follow the National Fire Protection Association’s technical specifications; therefore, all areas require coverage (e.g., resident rooms, kitchens, dining and activity areas, corridors, attics, canopies, overhangs, offices, waiting areas, closets, storage areas for trash and linen, and maintenance areas).