Hilltop Manor Boarding Home

This inspection identified 15 violations at Hilltop Manor, resulting in facility disapproval. Severe life-safety concerns included combustible materials blocking fire exits, inadequate emergency evacuation drill documentation, non-functional carbon monoxide detectors (3 of 6 failed), missing fire safety system inspections (sprinklers, fire doors, dampers, generator), and improper extension cord use. The facility demonstrated minimal response capability, failing to provide required documentation for multiple critical fire protection systems and showing no evidence of proactive maintenance or corrective action prior to inspection.

The facility violated hot water temperature safety regulations (required 105-120°F), placing 26 residents at risk of burn injuries. This is a recurring violation previously cited in October 2023 and again in April 2025, demonstrating systemic failure to correct a known safety hazard. The facility's response has been inadequate, as evidenced by the repeated failure to maintain corrective action over an 8-month period, resulting in escalation to a $500 civil fine. The pattern of non-compliance on a basic safety issue affecting all residents indicates poor facility management and insufficient corrective action processes.

The facility failed multiple fire and life safety inspections over a six-month period (July 2024-December 2024), including deficiencies in critical fire suppression systems, sprinkler testing, extinguisher maintenance, and emergency power testing. This represented a severe and persistent life-safety violation placing 24-26 residents at significant risk in the event of fire. The facility's response was inadequate initially—failing two follow-up inspections after the original citation and only stating items would be "scheduled"—but eventually achieved compliance by March 2025 after regulatory pressure, demonstrating a slow and reactive rather than proactive approach to critical safety systems.

Hilltop Manor Boarding Home had recurring fire safety code violations across four inspections (July-February 2025), including missing documentation for sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, and backup power systems, plus improper electrical cord usage and unsecured compressed gas cylinders. The facility demonstrated a good response by systematically correcting all violations between inspections, with the February 2025 inspection showing full compliance and approval status. While the violations were primarily documentation-related and equipment maintenance issues rather than immediate life-safety hazards, the pattern across multiple safety systems and the time required for full correction (7 months) indicate moderate systemic deficiencies that were ultimately resolved through persistent corrective action.

The facility failed a follow-up Fire and Life Safety Inspection, leaving 26 residents, staff, and visitors at risk in the event of a fire. This is an uncorrected repeat violation previously cited in October 2024, demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance with critical life-safety requirements. The facility's response has been inadequate, failing to correct the fire safety deficiencies over a three-month period despite previous citation. A $500 civil fine was imposed due to the continued non-compliance with Washington State Fire Marshal requirements.

This inspection found a pattern of fire safety and life safety system maintenance violations across multiple critical areas including sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, emergency power systems, and fire extinguishers. While no actual harm occurred and residents were not in immediate danger, the facility demonstrated systemic failure to maintain required inspection and testing documentation for essential fire protection systems. The facility's response was inadequate, as evidenced by the 'Disapproved' status and lack of documentation across nearly all required safety systems, suggesting minimal compliance efforts. The facility failed to provide evidence of annual inspections, quarterly testing, or proper maintenance records for fire-rated construction, sprinkler systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and standby power systems, along with observable physical violations like daisy-chained power strips and unsecured gas cylinders.

This inspection revealed a pattern of fire safety and life safety system maintenance deficiencies, including missing documentation for critical systems (sprinkler testing, fire alarm maintenance, emergency lighting), improper electrical connections (daisy-chained power strips), a missing fire extinguisher, and unsecured compressed gas tanks. While no immediate life-threatening conditions were present, the systematic failure to maintain and document required safety inspections across multiple fire protection systems represents a moderate violation affecting the facility's ability to respond to emergencies. The facility's approval status of 'Disapproved' and lack of documented corrective action or maintenance records indicates minimal response to ongoing compliance obligations.