The NSPIRE standards include a category of severe health and safety (SHS) deficiencies. Life-threatening (LT) conditions are included within the SHS category. HUD is seeking feedback on its proposed list of LT conditions and on its draft definition of the phrase “life-threatening.” Feedback on the definition and proposed list of LT deficiencies should be emailed to NSPIRESTANDARDS@HUD.gov.

The LT category includes deficiencies (hazards) that present a direct threat to life or well-being, i.e., that are likely to cause severe injury or reduction in physical or mental ability. This includes cases in which the harm has a likelihood of accruing irrevocably in under 24 hours. These deficiencies include certain toxins, electrical hazards, fire hazards, significant fall hazards, and absence of common life-safety devices designed to alert residents of such hazards or to directly protect against LT hazards such as fire or natural disasters.

Proposed List of Life-Threatening (LT) Deficiencies Based on the NSPIRE Standards

Last updated: 4/02/2021

UNIT

• Call-for-Aid System, System does not function properly
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector is missing, not installed, or not installed in a proper location
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector is obstructed
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector does not produce audio or visual alarm when tested
• Chimney, A visually accessible chimney, flue, or firebox connected to a fireplace or wood-burning appliance is incomplete or damaged such that it may not safely contain fire and convey smoke and combustion gases to the exterior
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Electric dryer transition duct is detached or missing
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Gas dryer transition duct is detached or missing
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Electric dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Dryer transition duct is constructed of unsuitable material
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Gas dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Egress, Obstructed egress on a building 4 stories or more
• Egress, Obstructed egress on a building 3 stories or less
• Electrical - Conductor, Exposed electrical conductor
• Electrical - Outlet and Switch, Outlet or switch is damaged
• Electrical - Service Panel, The overcurrent protection device is damaged
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher pressure gauge reads over or under-charged
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher service tag is missing, illegible, or expired
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher is missing
• Flammable and Combustible Items, Improperly stored flammable or combustible item on or near an ignition source
• Foundation, Foundation appears to be in imminent danger of collapse or failure
• Guardrail, Guardrail is missing or not installed
• Guardrail, Guardrail is not functionally adequate
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Outside temperature is below 68 degrees Fahrenheit and the resident is unable to maintain a minimum temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit through a safe heating source
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Heating system or device fueled by combustion has a misaligned, disconnected, improperly connected, damaged, blocked, or missing exhaust vent
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Combustion chamber cover or gas shutoff valve is missing from a combustion-fueled heating appliance
• Leak, Natural gas, propane, or oil leak
• Smoke Alarm, Smoke alarm is not installed where required
• Smoke Alarm, Smoke alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head assembly is obstructed by an item, object, or encasement within 18 inches of the sprinkler head
• Sprinkler Assembly, Paint or foreign material on the sprinkler head assembly
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head escutcheon is missing
• Sprinkler Assembly, Concealed sprinkler cover plate assembly is missing
• Structural System, Structural system exhibits signs of serious failure
• Toilet, Only 1 toilet was installed, and it is missing
• Toilet, Only 1 toilet was installed, and it is damaged or inoperable
• Water Heater, Chimney or flue piping is blocked, misaligned, or missing
• Water Heater, Gas shutoff valve is damaged, missing, or not installed

INSIDE

• Call-for-Aid System, System does not function properly
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector is missing, not installed, or not installed in a proper location
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector is obstructed
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm, Carbon monoxide detector does not produce audio or visual alarm when tested
• Chimney, A visually accessible chimney, flue, or firebox connected to a fireplace or wood-burning appliance is incomplete or damaged such that it may not safely contain fire and convey smoke and combustion gases to the exterior
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Electric dryer transition duct is detached or missing
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Gas dryer transition duct is detached or missing
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Electric dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Dryer transition duct is constructed of unsuitable material
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Gas dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Egress, Obstructed egress on a building 4 stories or more
• Egress, Obstructed egress on a building 3 stories or less
• Electrical - Conductor, Exposed electrical conductor
• Electrical - Outlet and Switch, Outlet or switch is damaged
• Electrical - Service Panel, The overcurrent protection device is damaged
• Exit Sign, Exit sign that clearly identifies the emergency exit is missing or obstructed
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher pressure gauge reads over or under-charged
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher service tag is missing, illegible, or expired
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher is missing
• Flammable and Combustible Items, Improperly stored flammable or combustible item on or near an ignition source
• Foundation, Foundation appears to be in imminent danger of collapse or failure
• Guardrail, Guardrail is missing or not installed
• Guardrail, Guardrail is not functionally adequate
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Heating system or device fueled by combustion has a misaligned, disconnected, improperly connected, damaged, blocked, or missing
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), Combustion chamber cover or gas shutoff valve is missing from a combustion-fueled heating appliance
• Leak, Natural gas, propane, or oil leak
• Smoke Alarm, Smoke alarm is not installed where required
• Smoke Alarm, Smoke alarm does not produce an audio or visual alarm when tested
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head assembly is obstructed by an item, object, or encasement within 18 inches of the sprinkler head
• Sprinkler Assembly, Paint or foreign material on the sprinkler head assembly
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head escutcheon is missing
• Sprinkler Assembly, Concealed sprinkler cover plate assembly is missing
• Structural System, Structural system exhibits signs of serious failure
• Water Heater, Chimney or flue piping is blocked, misaligned, or missing
• Water Heater, Gas shutoff valve is damaged, missing, or not installed

OUTSIDE

• Chimney, A visually accessible chimney, flue, or firebox connected to a fireplace or wood-burning appliance is incomplete or damaged such that it may not safely contain fire and convey smoke and combustion gases to the exterior
• Chimney, Chimney exhibits signs of structural failure
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Electric dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ventilation, Gas dryer exhaust ventilation system has restricted airflow
• Electrical - Conductor, Exposed electrical conductor
• Electrical - Outlet and Switch, Outlet or switch is damaged
• Electrical - Service Panel, The overcurrent protection device is damaged
• Exit Sign, Exit sign that clearly identifies the emergency exit is missing or obstructed
• Fire Escape, Fire escape component is damaged or missing
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher pressure gauge reads over or under-charged
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher service tag is missing, illegible, or expired
• Fire Extinguisher, Fire extinguisher is missing
• Flammable and Combustible Items, Improperly stored flammable or combustible item on or near an ignition source
• Foundation, Foundation appears to be in imminent danger of collapse or failure
• Guardrail, Guardrail is missing or not installed
• Guardrail, Guardrail is not functionally adequate
• Leak, Natural gas, propane, or oil leak
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head assembly is obstructed by an item, object, or encasement within 18 inches of the sprinkler head
• Sprinkler Assembly, Paint or foreign material on the sprinkler head assembly
• Sprinkler Assembly, Sprinkler head escutcheon is missing
• Sprinkler Assembly, Concealed sprinkler cover plate assembly is missing
• Structural System, Structural system exhibits signs of serious failure
• Water Heater, Gas shutoff valve is damaged, missing, or not installed

Related Links

• NSPIRE Standards
• How to Read the NSPIRE Standards
• How to Provide Feedback on the NSPIRE Standards
• HUD Requests Standards Feedback
• NSPIRE Health and Safety Risks
• NSPIRE Standards Previous Versions
• NSPIRE Terms and Definitions