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
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