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Skilled Nursing Facility Preventive Maintenance Checklist
A ready-to-use preventive maintenance checklist for a skilled nursing facility — 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 skilled nursing facility needs to cover
Emergency power, fire and call systems, patient lifts, and medication refrigeration are life-critical and are exactly what surveyors document.
Compliance: CMS / Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) survey documentation and NFPA 110 generator testing. 24/7 occupancy means maintenance without evacuation or service interruption.
The skilled nursing facility checklist
A typical starting checklist for a skilled nursing facility, 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.
Weekly
- Standby generatorCritical — Visual check: no leaks, block heater on, battery charger showing green, coolant/oil normal, no active alarms.
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.
- Chiller(s)Critical — Log refrigerant pressures and approach temperatures; inspect for oil or refrigerant leaks. Pass = readings within manufacturer envelope, no leaks.
- 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.
- Nurse call / emergency call systemCritical — Test call stations in a rotating sample of rooms and bathrooms; verify audible and visual annunciation at the staff station. Pass = every tested station registers.
- Elevator(s)CriticalASME A17.1 — Test the emergency phone/communication and door-reversal safety; verify cab lighting and floor leveling. Pass = two-way comms works, doors reverse, cab level.
- Standby generatorCriticalNFPA 110 — 30-minute operational test under load; log run time and verify fuel level at or above the required minimum (typ. ~75%).
- Patient / ceiling lifts (Hoyer)Critical — Inspect slings, straps, and hooks for wear; test emergency lowering; verify the load-rating label is legible. Follow the manufacturer PM schedule — and in assisted living, inspect before each use. Pass = no fraying, e-lower works, rating legible.
- Air filters — Replace or clean filters; verify correct MERV rating and no air bypass around the frame. Pass = clean filter seated, airflow unobstructed.
- Grease traps / interceptors — Clean or pump per schedule; verify no blockage and lid seal intact. Log the service.
- 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.
- Automatic transfer switch(es)NFPA 110 — Exercise the ATS through transfer and re-transfer; verify time delays and no alarms. Pass = clean transfer both directions.
- Oxygen concentrators — Verify O2 concentration and flow output, clean the intake filter, and confirm alarms function per the manufacturer PM. Pass = output and alarms within spec.
- 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.
- Sprinkler systemCriticalNFPA 25 — Inspect gauges (system pressure normal), control valves (locked/supervised open), and alarm devices.
- 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.
- Kitchen hood suppressionNFPA 96 — Inspect nozzles and blow-off caps; verify the manual pull station is accessible and unobstructed.
- 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.
- Commercial kitchen equipment — Inspect ranges, ovens, and gas connections; verify walk-ins hold temperature (cooler 35–40°F, freezer ≤0°F). Pass = temps held, no gas odor.
- 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.
- Sprinkler systemCriticalNFPA 25 — Main drain test, water-flow alarm test, and full inspection by a licensed contractor.
- Smoke & CO detectorsCritical — Test each alarm; verify it is within its 10-year service life and replace batteries. Pass = audible on test, not expired.
- Elevator(s)CriticalASME A17.1 — Full inspection and load test by a licensed elevator contractor; confirm the certificate is current and posted.
- Standby generatorCriticalNFPA 110 — Where the monthly test has not loaded the set enough (NFPA 110 uses 30% of nameplate), a load-bank test at rated capacity; plus the fuel-quality test. Your AHJ or your service contract may require the load bank annually regardless.
- 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.
- Kitchen hood suppressionNFPA 96 — Certified hood-suppression system inspection.
- 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.
Other facility types: Apartment Building · Assisted Living Facility · Independent Living Community · Behavioral Health Facility · 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 skilled nursing facility preventive maintenance checklist?
- A skilled nursing facility PM checklist covers HVAC, plumbing, electrical, life safety, and building systems with measurable pass/fail tasks grouped by frequency. Emergency power, fire and call systems, patient lifts, and medication refrigeration are life-critical and are exactly what surveyors document. CMS / Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) survey documentation and NFPA 110 generator testing. 24/7 occupancy means maintenance without evacuation or service interruption.
- 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.