Long-Term Care

Some Missouri nursing homes escape sprinkler requirements

Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly, May 31, 2007

State officials in Missouri joined together with healthcare industry officials to demand mandatory sprinkler systems for all residential care facilities, following a November 2006 fire that killed 11 people at a Jefferson City group home. But they sharply criticized the Missouri Legislature's new mandate, which would allow more than 60% of facilities lacking sprinklers to be exempt, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Of Missouri's 616 residential care facilities, which include nursing homes, 310 are currently without sprinklers. Because the legislation excludes existing residential care and assisted living facilities with 20 or fewer residents from the sprinkler requirement, only 120 of those without sprinklers would be forced to comply. A spokeswoman said the governor would sign the bill into law, despite criticism, the AP reported. The National Fire Protection Association recommends sprinkler systems for any group home with more than eight residents.

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