| (4) Wiring. All conductors for controls, equipment, lighting and power operating at 100 volts or higher shall be installed in metal or metallic raceways in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 70, Article 517. All surface mounted wiring operating at less than 100 volts shall be protected from mechanical injury with metal raceways to a height of seven feet above the floor. Conduits and cables shall be supported in accordance with NFPA 70, Article 300. (5) Lighting. (A) Consideration shall be given to controlling light intensity and wavelength to prevent harm to the patient's eyes. (B) Approaches to buildings and parking lots, and all spaces within buildings shall have fixtures that can be illuminated as necessary. All rooms including storerooms, electrical and mechanical equipment rooms, and all attics shall have sufficient artificial lighting so that all spaces are clearly visible. (C) The special needs of the elderly shall be considered. The facility shall minimize excessive contrast in lighting levels that makes effective sight adaptation difficult. (D) Electric lamps, which may be subject to breakage or which are installed in fixtures in confined locations when near woodwork, paper, clothing, or other combustible materials, shall be protected by wire guards, or plastic shields. (E) Ceiling mounted surgical and examination light fixtures shall be suspended from rigid support structures mounted above the ceiling. (6) Receptacles. Only listed hospital grade single-grounding or duplex-grounding receptacles shall be used in the trauma, treatment, exam, diagnostic, imaging rooms, and all patient care areas. This does not apply to special purpose receptacles. (A) Electrical receptacles powered from the emergency generator shall be colored red. (B) Replacement of malfunctioning receptacles and installation of new receptacles powered from the critical branch in existing facilities shall be installed or replaced with receptacles of the same distinct color as the existing receptacles. (C) In locations where mobile X-ray or other equipment requiring special electrical configuration is used, the additional receptacles shall be distinctively marked for the special use. (D) Each receptacle shall be grounded to the reference grounding point by means of a green insulated copper equipment grounding conductor in accordance with NFPA 70, §517-13. (E) Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) receptacles shall be provided for all general use receptacles located within three feet of a wash basin or sink. When GFCI receptacles are used, they shall be connected to not affect other devices connected to the circuit in the event of a trip. (7) Nurse's calling systems. (A) A nurse's emergency calling system shall be installed in all treatment room/area station(s), exam rooms/area station(s), isolation room(s), patient holding stations, imaging, diagnostic and patient toilet room(s) to summon nursing staff in an emergency. Activation of the system shall sound a distinct audible signal which repeats every five seconds or less at the nurse station, indicate the type and location of call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal in all areas. The activation of the system shall also activate distinct visible signals in the clean workroom, soiled workroom, and if provided, in the nourishment station. The visible and audible signals shall be cancelable only at the patient calling station. A nurse's emergency call system shall be accessible to a collapsed patient lying on the floor. Inclusion of a pull cord extending to within 6 inches of the floor will satisfy this requirement. (B) A staff emergency assistance calling system station shall be located in each treatment room/area, examination room/area, trauma room/area, and holding room/area to be used by staff to summon additional help in an emergency. Activation of the system shall sound an audible signal at a staffed location, indicate type and location of call on the system monitor, and activate a distinct visible signal in the corridor at the door. Additional visible signals shall be installed at corridor intersections in multi-corridor facilities. Distinct visible and audible signals shall be activated in the clean workroom, in soiled workroom, equipment storage, and if provided, in the nourishment station. (8) The pre-existing facility shall have an emergency contingency plan for the continuity of emergency essential building systems. The emergency contingency plan shall consist of one of the two options in this paragraph. (A) An onsite emergency generator shall be provided with a Type II essential electrical distribution system in accordance with requirements of NFPA 99, §4.5 (2), and National Fire Protection Association 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 2002 Edition. (i) An emergency generator standby power system(s) shall require an onsite fuel source and enough fuel capacity in the tank for a period of 24 hours or more. The facility shall execute a contract with an outside supplier/vendor(s) that will provide fuel on demand. When a vapor liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (natural gas) system is used, the twenty-four hour fuel capacity on site is not required. The vapor withdrawal LPG system shall require a dedicated fuel supply. (ii) The emergency generator shall be installed, tested and maintained in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association 99, §4.5.4, and National Fire Protection Association 110, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems, 2002 Edition. (B) An executed contract with an outside supplier/vendor(s) to provide a portable emergency generator(s) and fuel on demand. (i) An electrical transfer switch with plug-in device sized to provide emergency power for the patient care areas and the provisions in NFPA 99, §4.5.2.2.2. (ii) An alternate source of power (battery power lighting) shall be provided separate and independent from the normal electrical power source that will be effective for a minimum of one and one-half hours after loss of electrical power. The emergency lighting system shall be capable of providing sufficient illumination to allow safe evacuation from the building. The battery pack systems shall be maintained and tested quarterly. (iii) The facility shall implement the emergency contingency plan upon the loss of electrical power following a natural weather or man-made event when the electrical power may not be restored within 24 hours. The facility shall exercise the contract(s) with the supplier/vendor(s) in order to have portable emergency generator(s) available within 36 hours after the loss of electrical power. (9) Fire alarm system. A fire alarm system which complies with NFPA 101, §20.3.4, and with NFPA 72, Chapter 6 requirements, shall be provided in pre-existing facilities. The required fire alarm system components are as follows. (A) A fire alarm control panel (FACP) shall be installed at a visual location such as the main lobby. A remote fire alarm annunciator listed for fire alarm service and installed at a continuously attended location and capable of indicating both visual and audible alarm, trouble, and supervisory signals in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 72 may be substituted for the FACP. (B) Manual fire alarm pull stations shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 101, §20.3.4. (C) Smoke detectors shall be installed in supply and return air ducts in accordance with requirements of NFPA 72 §5.14.4.2.2 and §5.14.5 and NFPA 90A, §6.4.2.2. (D) A fire alarm signal notification which complies with NFPA 101, §9.6.3, shall be provided to alert occupants of fire or other emergency. (E) Audible alarm indicating devices shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, §20.3.4, and NFPA 72, §7.4. (F) Visual fire alarm indicating devices which comply with the requirements of NFPA 72, §7.5, shall be provided. (G) Devices for transmitting an alarm shall be provided to alert the local fire brigade or municipal fire department of a fire or other emergency. The devices shall be listed for the fire alarm service by a nationally recognized laboratory, and be installed in accordance with such listing and the requirements of NFPA 72. |
