Al:

Just to be a pain but also to hammer home a very important NFPA point which was much discussed this last cycle:

1.3.4.1 The healthcare facility's governing body or it's designee shall establish the following areas in accordance with the type of patient care anticipated:

(1) Category 1 spaces

(2) Category 2 spaces

(3) Category 3 spaces

(4) Category 4 spaces

So, unless they somehow become the "facility's designee", this is not a decision the verifier makes - they must be told.

Now, if I were unfortunate enough to be the Designee in this case, I would probably opt for Category 2.

All the facilities we have seen like this have been Category 2. We agree that it should be treated like long term care situations but, like Mark said, the facility is"supposed" to tell you even though they usually don't have a clue.

If we have any questions about the type of facility and there's no documentation we test to Cat One.

Put the pressure on the facility to justify if its anything less.

The verifier should never be the one to determine a facilities status.