This regulation establishes fire safety and life safety requirements for laboratories within healthcare facilities, including fire-resistance-rated separation, automatic sprinkler protection, and compliance with NFPA 45, NFPA 54, and NFPA 99 standards. It is a CMS Life Safety Code survey tag (K322) applied during inspections of inpatient healthcare facilities. Facility operators must ensure laboratories with severe hazardous materials are properly separated and sprinklered, and that gas appliances and medical oxygen systems meet applicable NFPA standards.
View official sourceK322 Laboratories Laboratories employing quantities of flammable, combustible, or hazardous materials that are considered a severe hazard are protected by 1-hour fire resistance-rated separation, automatic sprinkler system, and are in accordance with 8.7 and with NFPA 99. Laboratories not considered a severe hazard are protected as hazardous areas (see K321). Laboratories using chemicals are in accordance with NFPA 45, Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals. Gas appliances are of appropriate design and installed in accordance with NFPA 54. Shutoff valves are marked to identify material they control. Devices requiring medical grade oxygen from the piped distribution system meet the requirements under 11.4.2.2 (NFPA 99). 18.3.2.2, 19.3.2.2, 8.7, 8.7.4.1 (LSC) 9.3.1.2, 11.4.3.2, 15.4 (NFPA 99) Form CMS-2786R (07/2018) Page 17 Name of Facility 2012 LIFE SAFETY CODE ID PREFIX MET NOT MET N/A REMARKS