NAB NHA EXAM- PHYSICAL,
ENVIRONMENTAL, AND
ATMOSPHERE WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the physical plant - ANSWER-all designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect health and
safety of residents, personnel, public
Life Safety Code (LSC) - ANSWER-Entire construction plan and materials meet LSC standards|||CMS
requires unless have waiver or exception. CMS grants waivers on SNFs; states on NFs
(NFPA) - ANSWER-National Fire Protection Association ||established LSC
Purpose of LSC - ANSWER-to provide reasonable degree of safety from fire.
Waivers for Life Safety Code - ANSWER-If CMS finds a state fire and safety code adequately protects
residents and personnel thenLSC does not apply. OLder facilities may obtain a waiver if they are and
have been in compliance with an older addition of LSC as specified by CMS.||Before a nursing home
may be built it must present architectural plant to State Medicaid or designated agency that approves
construction. All major renovations, such as additional beds, change in utilization of space, and so on
must receive approval. The state provides guidelines on what must be a approved. Upkeep and repairs
do not require prior approaval.
Blue Prints - ANSWER-keep as-built plans available for surveyors who do LSC inspection as well as for
repair persons who may need prints for big jobs.
LSC and other standards - ANSWER-Building and contact standards are set by LSC, CMS, ANSI/ADAAG -
(dependent on which the state chooses) and state and local codes. ||- for handicapped|-follow which
on specific state requires (ANSI/ADAAG)
, LSC and ANSI/ADAAG - ANSWER-LSC accepts both standards so they are essentially all LSC standards.
Administrator does not need to know EVERY standard, but must keep a copy of the "LSC Handbook" as
reference. The architect who designs the facility must know and incorporate all LSC and other standards,
but it is advisable for the NHA to check his building to ensure compliance.
LSC, ANSI/ADAAG, and CMS - ANSWER-**- building materials - fire-rate according to number of stories.
2 hour and 1 hour rating|**- sprinklers - new buildings have automatically activated by smoke/heat|-
exits - no room more than 100 feet from exit. Lighted exit signs of specific size. |- walls extend
continuously to roof deck of next floor. wall finish must meet flame-spread requirements ( have
certificate of this)|- furnishings - curtains and carpet must meet fire rating|- rooms - CMS requirements
- 4 residents to room MAX. 80 sq ft/resident (multi-resident room), 100 sq ft for single occupancy.
requirement for rooms| - ANSWER-- direct access to corridor|- outside window (CMS) or door (LSC)|-
privacy|- furnishing| separate bed, proper size and height| bedding appropriate to climate| individual
closet space| bedside table| comfortable chair| enough overbid tables to meet needs of rsidents|-
toilets (CMS, ANSI, ADA)|- bathing facilities (CMS)|- resident call system (CMS, LSC) 24/7 - back up
system available|- temperature range (71-81 degree F) (three feet above floor), states set actual, A/C
not required
Doors - ANSWER-All 44" or more in new construction (41.5 opening)|outside doors open egress.|no
locks on resident door except staff has key (LSC)||Bathroom door 32" (ANSI/ADAAG)||Fire Doors with
automatic hold-open devices required in corridors||(over bed tables not required for patient)
corridors - ANSWER-no dead-ends (LSC)||8 feet wide (CMS)
Floors - ANSWER-at or above ground level. (LSC) |Fire rating if carpeted. (LSC)|Non-slip bath/toilet
(ANSI, LSC)|Asphalt tile best
Fire alarms - ANSWER-flashing and audible. |connect with local fire dept, if possible|must have NFPA 71
certification of fire alarm service|
ENVIRONMENTAL, AND
ATMOSPHERE WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the physical plant - ANSWER-all designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained to protect health and
safety of residents, personnel, public
Life Safety Code (LSC) - ANSWER-Entire construction plan and materials meet LSC standards|||CMS
requires unless have waiver or exception. CMS grants waivers on SNFs; states on NFs
(NFPA) - ANSWER-National Fire Protection Association ||established LSC
Purpose of LSC - ANSWER-to provide reasonable degree of safety from fire.
Waivers for Life Safety Code - ANSWER-If CMS finds a state fire and safety code adequately protects
residents and personnel thenLSC does not apply. OLder facilities may obtain a waiver if they are and
have been in compliance with an older addition of LSC as specified by CMS.||Before a nursing home
may be built it must present architectural plant to State Medicaid or designated agency that approves
construction. All major renovations, such as additional beds, change in utilization of space, and so on
must receive approval. The state provides guidelines on what must be a approved. Upkeep and repairs
do not require prior approaval.
Blue Prints - ANSWER-keep as-built plans available for surveyors who do LSC inspection as well as for
repair persons who may need prints for big jobs.
LSC and other standards - ANSWER-Building and contact standards are set by LSC, CMS, ANSI/ADAAG -
(dependent on which the state chooses) and state and local codes. ||- for handicapped|-follow which
on specific state requires (ANSI/ADAAG)
, LSC and ANSI/ADAAG - ANSWER-LSC accepts both standards so they are essentially all LSC standards.
Administrator does not need to know EVERY standard, but must keep a copy of the "LSC Handbook" as
reference. The architect who designs the facility must know and incorporate all LSC and other standards,
but it is advisable for the NHA to check his building to ensure compliance.
LSC, ANSI/ADAAG, and CMS - ANSWER-**- building materials - fire-rate according to number of stories.
2 hour and 1 hour rating|**- sprinklers - new buildings have automatically activated by smoke/heat|-
exits - no room more than 100 feet from exit. Lighted exit signs of specific size. |- walls extend
continuously to roof deck of next floor. wall finish must meet flame-spread requirements ( have
certificate of this)|- furnishings - curtains and carpet must meet fire rating|- rooms - CMS requirements
- 4 residents to room MAX. 80 sq ft/resident (multi-resident room), 100 sq ft for single occupancy.
requirement for rooms| - ANSWER-- direct access to corridor|- outside window (CMS) or door (LSC)|-
privacy|- furnishing| separate bed, proper size and height| bedding appropriate to climate| individual
closet space| bedside table| comfortable chair| enough overbid tables to meet needs of rsidents|-
toilets (CMS, ANSI, ADA)|- bathing facilities (CMS)|- resident call system (CMS, LSC) 24/7 - back up
system available|- temperature range (71-81 degree F) (three feet above floor), states set actual, A/C
not required
Doors - ANSWER-All 44" or more in new construction (41.5 opening)|outside doors open egress.|no
locks on resident door except staff has key (LSC)||Bathroom door 32" (ANSI/ADAAG)||Fire Doors with
automatic hold-open devices required in corridors||(over bed tables not required for patient)
corridors - ANSWER-no dead-ends (LSC)||8 feet wide (CMS)
Floors - ANSWER-at or above ground level. (LSC) |Fire rating if carpeted. (LSC)|Non-slip bath/toilet
(ANSI, LSC)|Asphalt tile best
Fire alarms - ANSWER-flashing and audible. |connect with local fire dept, if possible|must have NFPA 71
certification of fire alarm service|
