K911, K912 and K919 are the less common electrical Life Safety Code tags, but they are rarely cited alone. They show up when a fire safety surveyor finds a problem with the building’s wiring, receptacles or how equipment is used, and they usually lead to closer review of K914, K920 and K921 on the same survey.
| Tag | What it covers | Facilities cited (3 yrs) | Median days to correct |
|---|---|---|---|
| K911 | Installation and maintenance of electrical systems (panels, wiring, GFCI, cover plates) | 911 (6.2%) | 41 |
| K912 | Properly grounded receptacles, including hospital-grade receptacles at patient bed locations | 546 (3.7%) | 34 |
| K919 | Use of electrical equipment, including resident-owned appliances | 659 (4.5%) | 26 |
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, Nursing Homes, Fire Safety Deficiencies and Provider Information (processed October 1, 2026), Life Safety Code surveys from October 2023 through September 2026.
K911: electrical systems
Common findings: missing cover plates, open junction boxes, panels blocked by storage, unlabeled circuits, and GFCI receptacles that don’t trip. Fixes are usually quick, but they need a licensed electrician and a dated record. Highest rates: Montana (42.6%), New Mexico (32.4%), Maine (24.4%), New Jersey (20.7%), Wisconsin (20.1%).
K912: receptacle grounding
Common findings: receptacles that fail a ground test, worn or cracked receptacles at bed locations, and non-hospital-grade receptacles where hospital grade is required. K912 overlaps with K914 receptacle testing: a facility with current K914 records usually finds K912 problems before the surveyor does. Highest rates: Wisconsin (25.7%), Montana (19.7%), Pennsylvania (18.1%), Nevada (10.6%).
K919: use of electrical equipment
Common findings: resident-owned electric blankets, heating pads or appliances in use without an inspection, damaged cords and plugs, and adapters that defeat the ground pin. 15.6% of facilities cited for K919 were cited again later, so admission checks of resident-owned items matter. Highest rates: California (28.3%), Maine (23.1%), Nebraska (18.9%), Alaska (15.0%), Connecticut (14.7%).
How to correct these citations
- Fix the specific findings with a licensed electrician (K911, K912) or by removing and replacing the item (K919), and keep dated records.
- Test receptacles at every bed location if you don’t have current records (K914).
- Confirm every patient care device has current, documented PCREE testing (K921). Surveyors who cite one electrical tag usually check the rest.
- Write or update the policy for resident-owned electrical items and train admissions and nursing staff.
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PCREE Test Editorial Team
Content reviewed by biomedical professionals with experience in patient care electrical equipment testing, NFPA 99 compliance, and CMS Life Safety survey preparation for skilled nursing facilities.
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