Life Safety Code

The Life Safety Code (LSC) is a set of standards governed and published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The LSC, also known as the NFPA-101, establishes the minimum requirements for new and existing buildings to protect occupants from fire, smoke and toxic fumes. CMS adopted the 2012 edition of the LSC to assist health care facilities with compliance issues commonly encountered during LSC surveys.

This page provides current information related to provider compliance with LSC requirements and includes links to applicable laws, regulations and compliance information.

Federal and State Requirements

Interpretations

Compliance Issues

  • LSC Health Care Tag 2000 to 2012 Crosswalk - The LSC Health Care Tag Crosswalk provides a listing of the changes from 2000 to 2012 in the K tags that may be cited during a LSC survey effective November 1, 2016.
  • LSC Scope and Severity (S/S) Grid - For any K-Tag issued during a LSC survey a letter score relating to the scope and severity of the deficiency is assigned. This decision matrix adopted by CMS includes definitions of scope and severity levels.

Certified Facility LSC Incident Reporting

OIG-DHC Certified Facility LSC Incident Reporting Form (PDF)

CMS Guidance

See Also...

Health Care Facility Variance Information

  • Health Care Facility Variance Request Form 
  • 902 KAR  -  Chapter 20 Health Services and Facilities provides facility specifications. (Note: Once hyperlink has been opened, you must scroll down to find Chapter 20 information) 
  • 906 KAR - Chapter 1 Office of the Inspector General

CMS Life Safety Code Waiver Request Information

Miscellaneous Information

Additional Information