In a recent Q&A on the FacilityCare website, consultant Brad Keyes answered a question about offsite fire drills.
Q: Our hospital has several out buildings, or offsite doctor’s offices. Are we required to do fire drills at these offices? Three of the buildings have fire alarm systems that are tested semi-annually. However, we aren’t sure if we are supposed to be conducting fire drills at these doctor’s offices and, if so, how often they need to be done in order to be in compliance.
A: Generally, yes, fire drills are required once per shift per year at offsite business occupancies, but it has much to do with your accreditor. Physician’s offices are typically classified as business occupancies and section 39.7.1 of the 2000 Life Safety Code (LSC) says fire drills are only required in business occupancies where the building is occupied by more than 500 persons, or if there is more than 100 persons above or below the street level.
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