Inspection Reports for Merrill Gardens at Auburn
18 1st St SE, Auburn, WA 98002, WA, 98002
Back to Facility ProfileDeficiencies per Year
16
12
8
4
0
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Census Over Time
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Oct 21, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint (#197134) regarding smoke detectors at Merrill Gardens at Auburn.
Findings
The inspection found that on 10/3/2025, a smoke alarm was triggered by a smoldering zipfizz on a stove top, which caused smoke but no fire alarm activation or fire department response. The resident was unharmed, and the room was cleared with no smoke-related issues observed. No IFC violations were found.
Complaint Details
Complaint #197134 involved smoke detectors. The smoke detector in resident rooms activated and notified nursing staff, but no fire alarm was activated and the fire department did not respond. No injuries were reported. The complaint was investigated and no violations were found.
Report Facts
Complaint number: 197134
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Van Gorkum | Deputy State Fire Marshal | Conducted the inspection and signed the report |
| Jeremy Fowler | Maintenance Director | Named in the report as facility representative involved in the incident |
Inspection Report
Re-Inspection
Deficiencies: 3
Aug 12, 2025
Visit Reason
A re-inspection was conducted on 08/12/2025 by the Office of the State Fire Marshal at Merrill Gardens at Auburn to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.
Findings
Most previously cited deficiencies were corrected except for some fire doors that did not latch during testing and a rehabilitation room door that was propped open.
Deficiencies (3)
| Description |
|---|
| The following fire doors did not latch during testing: Resident room 320, Corridor door by room 320. |
| Rehabilitation room door was propped open. |
| Breaker Panel 31B does not have a label on the outside indicating Fire Alarm circuit. |
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Fowler | Maintenance Director | Signed as Maintenance Director on the inspection report. |
| Jessica Teobaldino-Mutton | Deputy State Fire Marshal | Signed as Deputy State Fire Marshal on the inspection report dated 08/12/2025. |
Inspection Report
Re-Inspection
Deficiencies: 2
Aug 12, 2025
Visit Reason
A re-inspection was conducted on 08/12/2025 at Merrill Gardens at Auburn to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.
Findings
Several deficiencies related to fire and life safety code violations were observed during the inspection on 08/12/2025, including fire doors not latching properly and a breaker panel lacking proper labeling. Some deficiencies were corrected, while others remained uncorrected at the time of re-inspection.
Deficiencies (2)
| Description |
|---|
| Fire doors did not latch during testing in resident room 320 and corridor door by room 320; rehabilitation room door was propped open. |
| Breaker Panel 31B does not have a label on the outside indicating Fire Alarm circuit. |
Report Facts
30 day extension approval: 30
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Fowler | Maintenance Director | Named as Owner or Authorized Representative signing the inspection documents. |
| Alan Harlan | Deputy State Fire Marshal | Conducted the inspection on 08/12/2025. |
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Census: 47
Deficiencies: 0
Jan 28, 2025
Visit Reason
Follow-up inspection of the Assisted Living Facility to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.
Findings
The Department found no deficiencies during the follow-up inspection and confirmed the facility meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements. Previously cited deficiencies were corrected.
Report Facts
Residents reviewed: 3
Total residents: 47
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Forkgen | ALF Licensor | Department staff who did the on-site verification |
| Kathy Young | Licensor | Department staff who did the on-site verification |
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Census: 47
Deficiencies: 2
Jan 3, 2025
Visit Reason
The Department of Social and Health Services completed a follow-up visit to Merrill Gardens at Auburn to assess correction of previously cited deficiencies and to impose civil fines based on violations found during the visit.
Findings
The facility was found to have uncorrected deficiencies related to hand sanitation and nurse delegation services, placing residents at risk of foodborne illnesses and improper medication administration. Civil fines totaling $900 were imposed based on these violations.
Deficiencies (2)
| Description |
|---|
| Failure to ensure one staff member followed required hand sanitation guidelines. |
| Failure to ensure that two residents receive nurse delegation services. |
Report Facts
Residents at risk due to hand sanitation failure: 47
Residents at risk due to nurse delegation failure: 2
Civil fines total: 900
Civil fine for food sanitation violation: 300
Civil fine for intermittent nursing services violation: 600
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Hauser | Compliance Specialist | Signed the enforcement letter regarding civil fines. |
| Laurie Anderson | Field Manager | Contact person for the plan of correction and appeals. |
Inspection Report
Life Safety
Deficiencies: 14
May 13, 2024
Visit Reason
An unannounced Fire and Life Safety Code inspection was conducted at Merrill Gardens at Auburn by a representative of the Washington State Patrol, State Fire Marshal's Office to determine compliance with all applicable codes.
Findings
Multiple fire and life safety code deficiencies were cited, including failure to sound fire alarms during drills, use of unapproved multi plug adapters, missing documentation for fire wall repairs, penetrations in fire-resistant walls, malfunctioning fire doors, deficiencies in sprinkler system inspections, and issues with emergency exit signs and power systems.
Deficiencies (14)
| Description |
|---|
| Facility has not sounded their fire alarm during fire drills; staff stated alarm only initiated once a year. |
| Unapproved multi plug adapters in resident rooms 413, 335, and Select Rehabilitation office - 1st floor. |
| Resident room 307 has a power strip daisy chained into another power strip. |
| Facility unable to provide record of annual fire wall and/or repairs for all fire-resistant-rated construction. |
| Penetrations in fire-resistant walls outside resident room 413 and Electrical room / Storage by 331; conduits have paper shoved on outside; ceiling tile penetration in dining room around sprinkler head. |
| Facility unable to provide documentation for all fire doors; unclear when fuse link drop down window/door was last inspected; penetrations in fire door in SW storage room in garage. |
| Several fire doors did not close/latch properly when tested in multiple locations including electrical room by 410 and stairwell 4NW27 by room 406. |
| Facilities fore damper report shows 9 dampers have failed. |
| Memory care exit door is lined with decorative plastic and is all the way down. |
| Annual sprinkler report shows multiple deficiencies; 3 year full flow trip test is overdue; missed 4th quarter sprinkler inspection. |
| Exit sign on patio (memory care side) is an exit sign that is full of water and does not work. |
| Dining room has a table and chairs blocking the exit door. |
| Facility unable to provide documentation showing 90-minute annual testing of emergency lighting has been performed in last 12 months. |
| Facility's generator does not have an emergency stop switch located outside of the generator and lacks an annunciation panel for the new generator. |
Report Facts
Failed dampers: 9
Next inspection date: Jun 12, 2024
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Fowler | Maint Dir | Named as Owner or Authorized Representative and Maintenance Director on signature page. |
| Cozetta Christian | Deputy State Fire Marshal | Conducted the inspection and signed the report. |
Inspection Report
Life Safety
Deficiencies: 15
Mar 6, 2023
Visit Reason
An unannounced Fire and Life Safety Code inspection was conducted at Merrill Gardens at Auburn by a representative of the Washington State Patrol, State Fire Marshal's Office to determine compliance with all applicable codes.
Findings
Multiple fire and life safety code violations were observed, including unapproved multiplug adapters, extension cords in use, missing or broken receptacle covers, lack of documentation for annual fire wall inspection and fire/smoke damper testing, missing carbon monoxide alarms, unsecured oxygen bottle, failure to document emergency lighting and fire drill testing, and other deficiencies related to door operation and securing compressed gas containers.
Deficiencies (15)
| Description |
|---|
| Unapproved multiplug adapters in resident rooms 413 and 419. |
| Extension cords in use in maintenance office, resident room 413, and business office. |
| Missing or broken receptacle covers in staff office and kitchen office. |
| Facility unable to provide record of annual fire wall inspection and repairs. |
| Large penetration in ceiling of housekeeping closet and partially open conduits in mechanical room. |
| Fire doors did not close or latch properly in multiple locations including elevator equipment room and housekeeping door. |
| Facility unable to provide documentation for last fire/smoke damper testing. |
| Missing escutcheon ring in hallway by staff room. |
| Facility unable to provide service reports for kitchen suppression system semi-annual servicing. |
| No carbon monoxide alarms in laundry room and fire place areas. |
| Facility unable to provide documentation of carbon monoxide detector testing in past 12 months; testing not logged. |
| Exit door in dining room will not open without being forced. |
| Facility failed to provide documentation of monthly 30-second emergency lighting testing; testing done but not logged. |
| Unsecured bottle of oxygen in resident room 413 closet. |
| Facility unable to provide documentation for completion of twelve planned and unannounced fire drills in previous 12 months. |
Report Facts
Multipplug adapters: 4
Extension cords: 3
Fire drills required: 12
Force limit for door opening: 5
Employees Mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Fowler | Maintenance Director | Named as facility representative signing the inspection report |
| Cozetta Christian | Deputy State Fire Marshal | Conducted the inspection |
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