Inspection Reports for
Merrill Gardens at Tukwila

WAC 388-78A-2474 Training and home care aide certification requirements. The facility failed to ensure 4 of 6 staff completed required training, placing 9 residents at risk of unmet care needs.

WAC 388-78A-2100 Ongoing assessments. The facility failed to assess the need and safety risks of a medical device for 2 of 7 residents, placing them at risk of entrapment and injury.

WAC 388-78A-2140 Negotiated service agreement contents. The facility failed to document negotiated service agreements for 3 of 7 sampled residents, placing them at risk for unmet needs and worsening condition.

WAC 388-78A-2610 Infection control. The facility failed to ensure 3 of 3 staff followed infection control practices during laundry services, placing all residents at risk for cross contamination and infection.

WAC 388-78A-2600 Policies and procedures. The facility failed to implement policies to ensure safe use of a bed rail medical device for 1 resident, placing the resident at risk of entrapment and injury.

WAC 388-78A-2040 Other requirements. The assisted living facility must have its building approved by the Washington state fire marshal in order to be licensed.

IFC 310.7 (2021) - Lighted matches, cigarettes, cigars, or other burning objects shall not be discarded in a manner that could cause ignition of other combustible material.

IFC 315.3.2 (2021) - Combustible materials shall not be stored in exits or enclosures for stairways and ramps and must comply with Section 3311.3.

IFC 603.2.2 (2021) - Open junction boxes and open-wiring splices are prohibited; approved covers must be provided for all switch and electrical outlet boxes.

IFC 603.4 (2021) - Working space and clearances around electrical equipment must meet NFPA 70 requirements and not be obstructed.

IFC 0603.5.1 (2021) - Relocatable power taps must be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1363 and UL 498A.

IFC 603.9.1 (2021) - Only listed and labeled portable electric space heaters shall be used.

IFC 701.3 (2021) - The fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers must be maintained.

IFC 701.6 (2021) - The owner must maintain an inventory of all required fire-resistance-rated construction and verify annual inspection of such construction.

IFC 703.1 (2021) - Materials and firestop systems used to protect membrane and through penetrations in fire-resistance-rated construction must be maintained and inspected per manufacturer's instructions.

IFC 705.2 (2021) - Opening protectives in fire-resistance-rated assemblies and smoke barriers must be inspected and maintained per NFPA 80 and NFPA 105.

IFC 705.2.4 (2021) - Swinging fire doors must close from the full-open position and latch automatically.

IFC 903.5 (2021) - Sprinkler systems must be tested and maintained in accordance with Section 901.

IFC 906.6 (2021) - Portable fire extinguishers must not be obstructed or obscured and must have means to indicate their locations.

IFC 906.7 (2021) - Hand-held portable fire extinguishers must be installed on hangers or brackets and securely anchored per manufacturer's instructions.

IFC 909.20 (2021) - Smoke control systems must be maintained to ensure capability of controlling smoke as required by manufacturer's instructions and Sections 909.20.1 through 909.20.6.

IFC 915.6 (2021) WAC - Carbon monoxide alarms and detection systems must be maintained and replaced if inoperable or producing end-of-life signals.

IFC 1203.4 (2021) - Emergency and standby power systems must be maintained to supply service within the specified time for the type and duration required.

IFC 5303.5.3 (2021) - Compressed gas containers, cylinders, and tanks must be secured to prevent falling by approved methods.

NFPA Standard 10 Section 6.2.1 - Fire extinguishers must be inspected initially and at approximately 30-day intervals thereafter.

WAC 212-12-044 - At least twelve planned and unannounced fire drills must be held annually and properly documented.

IFC 310.7 (2021) - Burning objects such as matches and cigarettes must not be discarded in a manner that could cause ignition of combustible material.

IFC 315.3.2 (2021) - Combustible materials shall not be stored in exits or enclosures for stairways and ramps and must comply with egress requirements.

IFC 603.2.2 (2021) - Open junction boxes and wiring splices are prohibited and must have approved covers.

IFC 603.4 (2021) - Working space and clearance around electrical equipment must meet NFPA 70 standards for safe access.

IFC 0603.5.1 (2021) - Relocatable power taps must be listed and labeled according to UL standards.

IFC 603.9.1 (2021) - Only listed and labeled portable electric space heaters are permitted for use.

IFC 701.3 (2021) - Fire-resistance rating and smoke-resistant characteristics of smoke barriers must be maintained.

IFC 701.6 (2021) - The owner must maintain an inventory and visually inspect fire-resistance-rated construction annually; no documentation was provided to verify this inspection.

IFC 703.1 (2021) - Materials and firestop systems protecting membrane and through penetrations must be maintained and inspected per manufacturer instructions.

IFC 705.2 (2021) - Opening protectives in fire-resistance-rated assemblies must be inspected and maintained per NFPA standards.

IFC 705.2.4 (2021) - Swinging fire doors must close automatically from the full-open position and latch.

IFC 903.5 (2021) - Sprinkler systems must be tested and maintained; documentation for 5-year internal pipe testing and FDC hydro testing was not provided.

IFC 906.6 (2021) - Portable fire extinguishers must be unobstructed and visible with proper signage.

IFC 906.7 (2021) - Hand-held portable fire extinguishers must be securely mounted on supplied hangers or brackets.

IFC 909.20 (2021) - Smoke control systems must be maintained to ensure capability to control smoke; maintenance was confirmed.

IFC 915.6 (2021) WAC - Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors must be maintained and replaced if inoperable; documentation of monthly testing for the past 12 months was not provided.

IFC 1203.4 (2021) - Emergency and standby power systems must be maintained to supply service within specified timeframes.

IFC 5303.5.3 (2021) - Compressed gas containers and tanks must be secured to prevent falling by approved methods.

NFPA Standard 10 Section 6.2.1 - Fire extinguishers must be inspected initially and at approximately 30-day intervals.

WAC 212-12-044 - Fire drills must be planned and unannounced at least twelve times per year with proper documentation; fire drill documentation was not properly completed.

WAC 388-78A-2305 Food sanitation. The assisted living facility must manage food and maintain any on-site food service facilities in compliance with chapter 246-215 WAC. The facility failed to ensure proper hot and cold holding temperatures for potentially hazardous foods, risking foodborne illness.

IFC 610.1.2 Maintenance. The lint trap, mechanical and heating components, and the exhaust duct system of a clothes dryer shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions to prevent the accumulation of lint or debris that prevents the exhaust of air and products of combustion.

IFC 603.5 (2021) Relocatable power taps and current taps shall be in accordance with NFPA 70. The Kitchen has multiple unapproved multi plug adapters in use, including resident room 621.

IFC 603.6 (2021) Extension cords shall not be a substitute for permanent wiring and shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 817. Extension cords were observed in resident room 621, wellness exam room, and Lifestyle & Leisure Director's office.

IFC 606.3.3.3 (2021) Records for inspections shall state the individual and company performing the inspection and when the inspection took place. The facility was unable to provide documentation for their annual and semi annual hood cleaning.

IFC 703.1 (2021) Materials and firestop systems used to protect membrane and through penetrations in fire-resistance-rated construction shall be maintained. The facility was unable to provide inventory record of their annual inspection and/or repairs for all fire-resistant-rated doors.

IFC 705.2.4 (2021) Swinging fire doors shall close from the full-open position and latch automatically. The S2 Housekeeping door did not close/latch properly when retested on the 4th floor.

IFC 706.1 (2018) Dampers protecting ducts and air transfer openings shall be inspected and maintained. Dampers were inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 80 and NFPA 105.

IFC 903.5 (2021) Sprinkler systems shall be tested and maintained in accordance with Section 901. Facility has forward flow and quarterly sprinklers scheduled.

IFC 904.13.5.2 (2021) Automatic fire-extinguishing systems shall be serviced not less frequently than every six months. The facility was unable to provide a service report for their current kitchen suppression servicing.

IFC 907.8 (2021) The maintenance and testing schedules and procedures for fire alarm and fire detection systems shall be maintained. The fire alarm is in trouble status and the facility was unable to provide correction reports, stating they are waiting on parts.

IFC 915.1.4 (2021) Carbon monoxide detection shall be provided in dwelling units and classrooms with fuel-burning appliances. There are no carbon monoxide alarms in the main laundry room where gas appliances are used.

IFC 1203.4 (2021) Emergency and standby power systems shall be maintained to supply service within the time specified. The facility was unable to provide documentation for their fuel testing and monthly 30 minute full load test. The generator lacks emergency lighting.

IFC 5303.5.3 (2021) Compressed gas containers, cylinders and tanks shall be secured to prevent falling. The kitchen has CO2 cylinders that are not secured.

WAC 212-12-044 Fire drills shall be held at least twelve times per year. The facility was not able to provide documentation for the completion of twelve planned and unannounced fire drills in the previous 12 months.