Mandatory backup power for HVAC systems in Heath Care Facilities

[mbrooke]

Would mandating cooling systems to be (required) on backup power in health care facilities and nursing homes be a worthwhile code proposal? While we do not know the specifics in this case, over the years I have seen many stories where facilities loose power and quickly become functionally inoperative due to the lack of AC.


https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/us/nursing-home-deaths-florida.html?mcubz=0


Many major hospitals and level 1 trauma centers have moved to full backup power finding it pays for itself, but currently it is not required by code.

 

[chris kennedy]

Nursing homes here in Fl are required to have an "alternative source of power" although there is no requirement as to what that shall be.

 

[mbrooke]

Nursing homes here in Fl are required to have an "alternative source of power" although there is no requirement as to what that shall be.

Does it mention how much it should power?

 

[chris kennedy]

Not sure, heard it on NPR this morning. We take care of a number that have Genny's for life safety and critical but not HVAC.

 

[mbrooke]

Not sure, heard it on NPR this morning. We take care of a number that have Genny's for life safety and critical but not HVAC.

Thats usually how it is, only the bare minimum is put on generator as code requires.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I expect that proposal would have to be to NFPA 99, and not NFPA 70. 99 is the controlling document for health care facilities.

 

[mbrooke]

I expect that proposal would have to be to NFPA 99, and not NFPA 70. 99 is the controlling document for health care facilities.

But 70 holds the requirements for what is to be backed up and to which branch/ATS. I mean the two go hand in hand, at least thats my understanding.

 

[tom baker]

Yes 99 and 70 do go hand in hand. We are past the cutoff for first drafts for the 2020 NEC, if the NFPA 99 revision cycle starts in the next three years start there. Otherwise you will be on the 2023 NEC

 

[kwired]

But 70 holds the requirements for what is to be backed up and to which branch/ATS. I mean the two go hand in hand, at least thats my understanding.

The way I see it is if 99 would call an HVAC load a critical load then 70 would have to treat it as one. I could see this being more likely for surgical areas, critical care areas, etc. but more likely an optional load if to be transferred for general care areas.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

But 70 holds the requirements for what is to be backed up and to which branch/ATS. I mean the two go hand in hand, at least thats my understanding.

My understanding is that the NEC only provides the installation requirements, and NFPA 99 specifies what is to be backed up. In 517, the requirements that tell what is to be backed up all have a [bracketed] reference to NFPA 99. That means the information preceding the brackets has been extracted from 99.

 

[mbrooke]

My understanding is that the NEC only provides the installation requirements, and NFPA 99 specifies what is to be backed up. In 517, the requirements that tell what is to be backed up all have a [bracketed] reference to NFPA 99. That means the information preceding the brackets has been extracted from 99.

Makes sense. So in order to change the NEC, I'd need to change 99, right?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Makes sense. So in order to change the NEC, I'd need to change 99, right?

Probably no need to do anything with the NEC. Just a requirement that in 99 that those facilities have AC systems supplied by a back up power system.

 

[Bob V]

This type of requirement, if proposed should be in the building code, not the NEC