Each floor accessed by residents must be divided into at least how many smoke sections?

In a nursing home setting, fire safety regulations are critical to ensure the safety of residents, especially those who may have mobility or cognitive impairments. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines and the standards set forth for healthcare facilities, each floor accessed by residents must be divided into at least two smoke sections. This requirement is crucial because it helps to prevent the spread of smoke and fire, providing residents with a safe area to shelter in place if an emergency occurs.

Dividing floors into two smoke sections ensures that, in the event of a fire or smoke incident, one section can potentially be isolated from the other, allowing for more effective evacuation and minimizing risk. This design also facilitates easier management and response by emergency personnel. Having only one smoke section would not provide adequate protection or safety measures against smoke inhalation and would fail to comply with the regulations set for nursing homes.