Mobile Blood Bank

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muhandas

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I know that the question whether Blood donation areas should be defined as Patient Care Areas in context of 517 has been discussed at length in this forum but my question relates to Mobile Blood Bank buses, such as from the Red Cross, that travel to various locations with the only purpose of blood collection (and presumably some processing and storage.) I don't know the qualifications of the staff that operates these blood collection buses.

It seems to me that the majority opinion during the earlier discussion was that if a place, even a mobile one, was dedicated to the sole purpose of blood collection it would be classified as a PCA, presumably "general," type, and would need to comply with the applicable requirements of 517.

The Mobile blood banks, which I mentioned, would be such a dedicated space. Would I be justified in requiring compliance with 517? I know that the ultimate decision is the AHJ's but I would like to provide him with the collected wisdom and rationale of experts.
 
I was one of the supporters of the case that a blood donation area is not a "Patient Care Area." I am curious as to how you might plan to provide a backup power source that meets the requirements of 517, for a mobile blood donation vehicle. But all discussions of PCA versus Not PCA aside, the NEC does not apply to manufactured vehicles.
 
I agree with Charlie on the fact that the NEC would not apply to a bus that is used as a mobile blood bank.

As far as agreeing with Charlie on whether or not a blood donation area is a PCA is another matter.:D

Chris
 
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
In worrying about little things like Code Compliance, I lost sight of the big thing, that this is not even covered by the Scope of the NEC.
Which got me to thinking whether requirements covering these types of mobile venues that may include medical services even exist, and who, if anyone, would be enforcing them.
Perhaps it is the RV folks. I'll chase that down. Thanks for the suggestion.
Heinz R.
 
I don't think that the RV requirement would apply. An RV is defined in Article 551 as a "vehicular-type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use."
 
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