N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.15.66 - FIRE SAFETY SYSTEMS AND COMPLIANCE

All Boarding homes shall comply with the current applicable requirements of the state fire marshal, or local fire authority having jurisdiction, for fire prevention, safety, and fire safety systems. All equipment shall be properly maintained and inspected as recommended by the manufacturer, state fire marshal, or the local fire authority.

A. Fire clearance and inspections: Each boarding home must request from the state fire marshal, or local fire authority having jurisdiction, an annual fire inspection. Records of inspection shall be kept on file in the boarding home.

(1) Copies of the fire inspection records must be kept on file at the boarding home for the following:

(a) fire extinguishers;

(b) smoke and fire alarm systems;

(c) automatic detection equipment, including carbon monoxide detectors;

(d) kitchen hoods with fire suppression;

(e) automatic fire suppression systems, and

(f) other fire safety equipment.

(2) If the policy of the fire authority having jurisdiction does not provide for annual inspection of the boarding home, the boarding home must document the date the request was made and to whom. If the fire authorities conduct annual inspections, a copy of the latest inspection must be kept on file in the boarding home.

B. Staff fire and safety training: All staff of the boarding home must know the location of, and be instructed in proper use of fire extinguishers, fire safety systems, and other procedures to be observed in case of fire or other emergencies.

(1) Boarding home staff must be instructed as part of their duties to constantly strive to detect and eliminate potential safety hazards, such as loose handrails, frayed electrical cords, faulty equipment, blocked exits or exit ways, and any other condition which could cause burns, falls, or other personal injury to the residents or staff.

(2) The boarding home should request the fire authority having jurisdiction to give periodic instruction in fire prevention and techniques of evacuation.

C. Evacuation plan: Each boarding home must have a fire evacuation plan conspicuously posted in each separate area of the building for residents in case of fire or other emergencies, showing routes of evacuation and designated areas to meet. Staff shall be trained to direct and assist residents during an emergency evacuation.

D. Fire drills: All facilities shall conduct monthly fire drills which are to be documented. A record of the monthly fire drills shall be maintained on file in the boarding home and readily available. There shall be at least one documented fire drill per month. There shall be one documented fire drill for each daily work shift (i.e.: day, night or graveyard) per quarter, that employs the use of the fire alarm system or the detector system in the boarding home. Fire drill records shall show:

(1) the date and time of the drill;

(2) the number of staff participating in the drill;

(3) any problem noted during the drill;

(4) the evacuation time in total minutes, and

(5) if applicable, the local fire department may be requested to supervise and participate in fire drills.

E. Fire alarms, smoke detectors and other equipment: The system shall comply with the current applicable requirements of the state fire marshal, or local fire authority having jurisdiction.

(1) Facilities shall have an automatic fire alarm system, if required by the authority having jurisdiction. The fire alarm system(s) shall be inspected and approved in writing by the fire authority with jurisdiction.

(2) Approved smoke detectors that when activated provides an alarm which is audible in all sleeping areas shall be installed on each floor. Areas of assembly, such as the dining, living or activity room(s) must also be provided with smoke detectors.

(3) Approved carbon monoxide detectors that when activated provides an alarm which is audible in all sleeping areas shall be installed on each floor.

F. Fire extinguishers: Fire extinguisher(s) shall be installed in the boarding home, as approved by the state fire marshal or the local fire prevention authority with jurisdiction.

(1) Facilities must as a minimum have two 2A10BC fire extinguishers:

(a) One extinguisher located in the kitchen or food preparation area.

(b) One extinguisher centrally located in the boarding home.

(c) The maximum distance between fire extinguishers shall be 50 feet.

(d) All fire extinguishers shall be inspected yearly, recharged as needed and tagged noting the date of the inspection.

(2) Fire extinguishers, alarm systems, automatic detection equipment and other firefighting equipment shall be properly maintained and inspected as recommended by the manufacturer, state fire marshal, or the local fire authority.

G. Automatic fire protection (fire sprinkler) system: Facilities shall have an automatic fire protection (sprinkler) system. The system shall be in accordance with the New Mexico commercial building code, international building code (IBC), current edition as adopted by the New Mexico construction industries division and local building codes as applied by the state fire marshal, or local fire authority having jurisdiction.

(1) Exception: Boarding homes designated as "R-3" in the New Mexico commercial building codes, with 10 transient residents or less, are not required to have a fire sprinkler system, when they are housed in a one- or two-family dwellings units that are not more than three stories above grade plane in height and that have separate means of egress (as referenced in section 310.5 Residential Group R-3).

(2) Exception: Boarding homes designated as "R-3" in the New Mexico commercial building code, with 16 nontransient residents or less, are not required to have a fire sprinkler system, when they are housed in a one- or two-family dwellings units that are not more than three stories above grade plane in height and that have separate means of egress (as referenced in section 310.5 Residential Group R-3).

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.370.15.66

Adopted by New Mexico Register, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, June 25, 2024, eff. 7/1/2024