Procedures During Fire Alarms

Electrical Outlet Maintenance in

Healthcare Facilities

Electrical outlet checks for maintenance and safety must be conducted. NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities (1999 edition), sections 3-3.2.1.2 (f), 3-3.3.3, 3-3.4.2.3, and 3-3.4.3 are identified by The Joint Commission as the testing requirements for electrical outlets. It is important to define the term “patient care areas” which is used repeatedly in these sections. According to NFPA 99, patient care areas are defined as “Any portion of a health care facility wherein patients are intended to be examined or treated.” Examples of patient care areas include:

· Patient bed rooms

· Examining rooms

· Treatment rooms

· Clinics

· Intensive care units

· Delivery rooms

· Operating rooms

· Emergency rooms

Areas that are not considered patient care areas include business offices, corridors, lounges, day rooms, and dining rooms.

3-3.2.1.2 (f) Wet Locations

New construction wet location patient care areas are required to be provided with special protection against shock. This special protection may include ground fault interrupting circuits or isolated power systems. Patient beds, toilets, and wash basins are not required to be considered wet locations.

Existing construction wet locations are not required to be provided with special protection against shock, PROVIDED a written inspection procedure is continuously enforced that indicates the outlets are installed and maintained according to NFPA 70 National Electric Code. The procedure must include electrical continuity tests of all required equipment, grounding conductors, and connections. Outlets and equipment connected with cord and plug must be tested:

· When first installed

· Where there is evidence of damage

· After any repairs

· At intervals not exceeding 6 months

3-3.3.3 Outlet Testing in Patient Care Areas

Testing of electrical outlet receptacles must include:

· A visual inspection for physical integrity

· Verification of the continuity of the grounding circuit

· Confirmation of correct polarity of the hot and neutral connections

· The retention force of the grounding blade shall not be less than 4 ounces.

3-3.4.2.3 Maintenance and Testing Intervals of Outlets in Patient Care Areas

For hospital-grade listed outlets, testing shall be performed after initial installation, replacement, or servicing of the device. Additional testing shall be performed at intervals defined by documented performance testing. If the testing data indicates problems or inconsistent results, additional testing is warranted.

Outlets receptacles not listed as hospital-grade must be tested at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

3-3.4.3 Recordkeeping

Records of all required testing are required, and should include:

· The date of the test (and signature or initials of person conducting the test)

· The room or area tested

· A pass or fail entry of the outlet tested

· Any follow-up action required including a re-test

Brad Keyes, CHSP

Consultant, Life Safety Specialist