The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Division of Health Facilities Construction reviews plans, specifications, and construction for health care facilities which DPH licenses in South Carolina. This authority comes from the South Carolina Legislature. Some health care facility types such as doctors' offices and clinics are not licensed by DPH and thus are not reviewed or inspected by us.
It is required by International Fire Code to notify DPH Division of Health Facilities Construction (DHFC) fire officials, and local fire officials, anytime fire detection, alarm and extinguishing systems are in an non-operative condition:
DPH Fire and Life Safety is a Division of Health Facilities Oversight in Healthcare Quality. Our inspectors are certified as Fire Marshals by the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, International Codes Council, and the National Fire Protection Agency. The purpose of our inspections is to ensure that licensed facilities operate in a safe manner and comply with all applicable DPH Regulations, SC Fire Codes and NFPA Standards, as well as those facilities that must also comply with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Regulations.
DPH Fire and Life Safety is a section within the Bureau of Nursing Homes & Medical Services in Healthcare Quality. Fire and Life Safety inspectors are certified as Fire Marshals by the South Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, International Codes Council, and the National Fire Protection Agency.
In the interest of establishing reasonable standards that can be met by providers and yet do not compromise the health and well-being of the patients, residents, and participants cared for in South Carolina licensed facilities, it has been determined that alternative standards will be considered as acceptable. A provider-wide exception (PWE) is the tool that is used to achieve a working relationship between the facility and their regulators. This page also contains Position Statements that give guidance or interpretations of the regulation.
To file a complaint against a health facility or service regulated by DPH, submit the Health Facility Complaint Form. If you are unable to submit your health facility complaint online, you can call our office at (803) 545-4370 or 1-800-922-6735 and indicate you wish to file a complaint against a health facility or service.
