We design every drill around the fire and life-safety codes that apply to your facility — so you can stay compliant and focused on resident care.
Our Fire, Disaster & Evacuation Drills follow these codes plus the requirements of your State and local governing jurisdictions.
The IFC sets the baseline fire-safety requirements adopted by most jurisdictions. We align your drills with the edition your local authority has adopted.
NFPA 1 establishes comprehensive fire-prevention and protection requirements. Our drills reflect its standards for occupancies like yours.
NFPA 101 governs the protection of building occupants — especially critical in facilities caring for residents who may need assistance to evacuate.
Each state adds its own requirements for licensed care facilities. We tailor your drills to the rules that apply where you operate.
City and county fire authorities may have additional expectations. We account for your local governing jurisdiction in every drill.
Federally mandated codes apply to many skilled nursing and care facilities. Our programs are designed to keep you compliant and review-ready.
Requirements vary by facility type and license — here are the key rules our clients rely on.
Every facility must conduct 12 fire drills annually — one per shift, per quarter — so all staff are practiced regardless of when they work.
RCFE facilities are required to conduct evacuation drills bi-monthly. Many SNFs are now choosing to participate as well.
The number of disaster drills depends on your state and what your facility is licensed for. We help you determine the right cadence for your license.
These are key references our consultants use when planning drills. Requirements are extensive and change over time — we recommend reviewing the codes for your State and reaching out with any questions.
Small FacilitiesNFPA 101 33.2
Large FacilitiesNFPA 101 33.3
Health Care Occupancy DefinitionNFPA 1 3.3.192.11NFPA 1 20.4 – 20.4.2.2.3.3NFPA 101 3.3.196.7
Fire & Internal Disaster DrillsHSC 1531.1.4.j
Fire & External Disaster Drills(AB-3098 Sept 2018, into effect Jan 1, 2019) HSC 1569.695cCodes require drills to be conducted on a quarterly basis.
Alarm CodeNFPA 101 19.7.1.4 – 19.7.1.7
Fire & Internal Disaster DrillsCalifornia Code 72553.13.cCalifornia Code 75553.13.eNFPA 19.7.1.4NFPA A.9.7.1.4NFPA 19.7.1.6Codes require drills to be conducted on a quarterly basis.
External Disaster and Mass Casualty ProgramCalifornia Code 72551.13.e
Alarm CodeNFPA Code 19.7.1.4NFPA 19.7.1.7
Emergency Egress and Relocation DrillsNFPA 33.7.1.3NFPA 33.7.3NFPA 33.7.3.3NFPA 33.7.3.6
What is "Occupancy?""The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is used or intended to be used."
What is considered a Long-Term Care Facility?Nursing Homes, Skilled Nursing Facilities & Assisted Living Facilities
Federal Register / Vol 81Overview pages 63861–63862
Long-Term Care PreparednessPage 63909
Intermediate Care FacilitiesPages 63912–63914
The Federal Register Vol 81, No. 180 is very extensive. We encourage you to research the resources that apply to your facility and staff — including CMS, FEMA and govinfo.gov.
We stay current with the rules where you operate — including California and Washington fire-watch procedures and emergency-planning requirements.
Fire Watch Procedures: NFPA 9.6.1.5, NFPA 9.11.2. System out of service: California Fire Code 901.7. We strongly recommend establishing a fire watch immediately and continuously whenever the fire alarm or automatic sprinkler system is inoperative.
Washington follows the 2018 International Fire Code for fire-watch procedures (Seattle-area codes per NFPA 2012): NFPA 9.6.1.6. System out of service: CC&R Title 19, Division 1, 901.7. Establish a fire watch immediately and continuously when systems are inoperative.
Emergency Planning & Preparedness: IFC 403.8 – 403.8.1.7; 2015 Seattle / 2018 IFC 403.8.1.4/5; Seattle 405.2. Fire and disaster drills quarterly. Evacuation drills: 2018 IFC 405.2 — semiannually on each shift, all occupants.
Emergency Planning & Preparedness: IFC 403.8.2 – 403.8.2.3; Seattle / IFC 405.2, Table 405.2 Group I-2. Drills held at unexpected times and varying conditions (Seattle / IFC 405.4). Evacuation drills comply with Section 405.
NFPA 101 4.8.1 – 4.8.2.3 (extensive — please read thoroughly), NFPA 101 18.7.1.2, and NFPA 32.7.1 – 32.7.1.4.
Codes differ from state to state and facility to facility. Our experienced consultants are happy to walk you through exactly what your facility needs — just give us a call.
Requirements differ from state to state and facility to facility. We recommend reviewing the codes that apply in your State, and if you'd like help making sense of them, our experienced consultants are happy to walk you through exactly what your facility needs.
Let our consultants keep your drills on schedule and aligned with every code that applies to your facility.
