Understanding the K-tag structure helps a facilities team organize documentation, predict what the surveyor will ask for and respond to citations with a plan of correction that addresses the right requirement.
How K-tags are organized
- K100 series: general building and construction requirements
- K200 series: means of egress, corridors, exits, doors and illumination
- K300 series: protection, including hazardous areas, vertical openings, fire alarm, sprinklers and fire barriers
- K500 series: building services such as HVAC, elevators and utilities
- K700 series: operating features including fire drills, smoking, combustible decorations and emergency plans
- K900 series: NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code items including medical gas, electrical systems and emergency power
K-tags cited most often
- K211 Means of egress: corridor obstructions and egress clearance
- K222 Egress doors: locking arrangements and hardware
- K223 Doors with self-closing devices: propped doors and missing closers
- K291 Emergency lighting: monthly and annual tests
- K293 Exit signage
- K311 Vertical openings and K321 Hazardous areas enclosure
- K341 Fire alarm system installation and K345 fire alarm testing and maintenance
- K351 and K353 Sprinkler system installation and maintenance
- K372 Subdivision of building spaces: smoke barrier penetrations
- K712 Fire drills
- K908 and K909 Medical gas systems and K918 Electrical systems and essential electric system testing
- K920 Electrical equipment: power strips and relocatable power taps
Responding to a K-tag citation
Each K-tag on the Statement of Deficiencies needs a specific corrective action, a responsible person, a completion date and the monitoring that prevents recurrence. The best responses correct the underlying process, not just the single door or missing log entry the surveyor found.
Frequently asked questions
No. K-tags are used on the CMS Life Safety Code survey for every provider type surveyed under the Life Safety Code, including hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and skilled nursing facilities.