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Group Home Preventive Maintenance Checklist
A ready-to-use preventive maintenance checklist for a group home — measurable, code-referenced tasks grouped by frequency. Read the full checklist below, or build a version tailored to your building in under a minute.
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What type of facility?
Pick the closest match — it decides which equipment the checklist starts with.
What a group home needs to cover
Smoke and CO alarms, egress windows and routes, water heater temperature, the furnace or boiler, and the appliances a household actually uses.
Compliance: State licensing for the population served, plus residential fire and building codes. Small licensed homes are frequently held to residential codes with additional license conditions on top.
The group home checklist
A typical starting checklist for a group home, grouped by how often each task runs. Every task has a pass/fail criterion and, where it applies, the governing standard.
Daily
- Medication refrigerationCritical — Log refrigerator temperature (36–46°F / 2–8°C); verify the out-of-range alarm is armed. Pass = temp in range, alarm active.
Monthly
- Boiler(s)Critical — Verify operating pressure within manufacturer range (typ. 12–30 PSI, low-pressure hot water); check for leaks; test low-water cutoff.
- Water heater(s) / domestic hot waterCritical — Verify hot-water delivery temperature at fixtures (typ. 120°F; anti-scald limits where required). Pass = within target range.
- Emergency & egress lightingCriticalNFPA 101 — 30-second function test of every emergency light and illuminated exit sign. Pass = all illuminate on test.
- Air filters — Replace or clean filters; verify correct MERV rating and no air bypass around the frame. Pass = clean filter seated, airflow unobstructed.
- Fire extinguishersNFPA 10 — Verify each extinguisher is present, gauge in the green, seal/pin intact, and access is clear. Pass = charged and unobstructed.
- Egress doors & exit pathsNFPA 101 — Verify exits are unobstructed, doors self-close and latch, panic hardware is operable, and paths are illuminated. Pass = free, latching egress on every path.
- Exterior / parking lighting — Walk the site after dark; replace failed lamps and verify photocell/timer operation. Pass = no dark zones at entries or walkways.
Quarterly
- Fire alarm systemCriticalNFPA 72 — Test a rotating sample of initiating and notification devices; verify the monitoring signal reaches the central station. Pass = signal confirmed, devices annunciate.
- Air handlers / rooftop unitsASHRAE 180 — Inspect belts, bearings, and dampers; verify supply-air temperature within ±3°F of setpoint. Pass = no glazing/cracking on belts, setpoint held.
- Air handlers / rooftop units — Clean condensate pan and drain line; confirm no standing water or overflow.
- Sump / ejector pumps — Test by filling the pit until the float trips; confirm the pump cycles, discharges, and shuts off. Pass = full cycle observed.
- Roof — Inspect membrane/flashing and clear roof drains and scuppers; document condition after major storms. Pass = drains clear, no ponding or open seams.
- Walkways & parking surfaces — Inspect for trip hazards, potholes, and heaving; verify ADA ramp condition, striping, and signage. Pass = no trip hazards on accessible routes.
- Site drainage / storm — Clear catch basins and swales; inspect after heavy rain for ponding near the building. Pass = water sheds away from structure.
- Thermostats / controls — Verify calibration within ±2°F; confirm occupancy schedules and setbacks are active.
- Exhaust & ventilation fans — Confirm rotation and airflow, no excessive vibration or noise; clean grilles and screens.
- Domestic water pressure / PRV — Verify static pressure of 40–80 PSI; inspect the pressure-reducing valve for creep or leaks.
- Restroom / unit fixtures — Check for leaks, drips, and running toilets; verify shutoff valves are operable.
- GFCI / AFCI devices — Press the test button on GFCIs in wet locations; confirm trip and reset. Pass = each device trips and resets.
- Gutters & downspouts — Clear debris and verify drainage carries water away from the foundation.
- Irrigation system — Test each zone; check for leaks and broken heads and adjust the seasonal schedule. Pass = all zones fire, no visible leaks.
- Fences, gates & access control — Inspect gates, latches, and access control; verify cameras and call boxes are operable.
- Common area deep clean & inspection — Deep clean lobbies, corridors, and amenity rooms; inspect furnishings, flooring, and handrails for damage.
Annual
- Boiler(s)Critical — Combustion analysis, safety/relief valve test, and cleaning by a licensed technician.
- Water heater(s) / domestic hot waterCritical — Flush tank/sediment, test the T&P relief valve, and inspect the anode rod.
- Emergency & egress lightingCriticalNFPA 101 — 90-minute battery duration test; record any unit that fails to hold.
- Fire alarm systemCriticalNFPA 72 — Full inspection and test of all devices by a licensed fire-alarm contractor; file the report.
- Smoke & CO detectorsCritical — Test each alarm; verify it is within its 10-year service life and replace batteries. Pass = audible on test, not expired.
- Condenser & evaporator coilsASHRAE 180 — Clean coils; verify temperature split of 16–22°F across the evaporator. Pass = split within range, fins clean.
- Backflow preventers — Test by a certified backflow tester; verify no back-siphonage and file the test report with the water authority.
- Electrical panels / distribution — Inspect (or thermal-scan) for hot spots, corrosion, and loose lugs; verify breakers are labeled and the directory is current. Pass = no discoloration, all circuits identified.
- Fire extinguishersNFPA 10 — Certified annual maintenance and tag by a licensed servicer.
- Roof — Professional roof inspection and preventive repair.
- Dryer exhaust vents — Clean lint from dryer ducts through to the exterior termination (fire prevention). Pass = free airflow, no lint blockage.
- Exterior sealant / caulking — Inspect and reseal window and door perimeters and control joints; note any failed sealant.
- Masonry / façade — Inspect for cracks, spalling, and efflorescence; check lintels and expansion joints.
- Signage & wayfinding — Verify lit signage works, the address is visible from the street, and ADA/accessible signage is present.
- In-unit appliances — Inspect range, refrigerator, dishwasher, and disposal for leaks and safe operation; verify range anti-tip bracket.
Other facility types: Apartment Building · Skilled Nursing Facility · Assisted Living Facility · Independent Living Community · All types
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Last reviewed July 2026. This checklist and the free generator are informational and not legal, code, or compliance advice. Lines tagged with a standard are traceable to that published document; lines tagged Recommended are ordinary good practice with no standard cited. A consensus standard binds you only where your jurisdiction or CMS has adopted it, which we have not checked for your building. Intervals and thresholds are starting points — verify the current requirements for your facility, occupancy, and jurisdiction.
Questions people ask
- What should be on a group home preventive maintenance checklist?
- A group home PM checklist covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, life safety, and building systems with measurable pass/fail tasks grouped by frequency. Smoke and CO alarms, egress windows and routes, water heater temperature, the furnace or boiler, and the appliances a household actually uses. State licensing for the population served, plus residential fire and building codes. Small licensed homes are frequently held to residential codes with additional license conditions on top.
- Is the checklist free?
- Yes — free, no signup, no watermark. The generator builds a checklist on your device that prints to a clean PDF.
- How often should preventive maintenance tasks be done?
- Tasks are grouped by frequency — daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual. Flag any asset that passes 110% of its scheduled interval as overdue.