Generators: Electric Power and Ashe Members

pic Regulatory Advisory A emolument to members, advisories are produced whenever in that location is a significant development that affects the job you do in your community. A Message to ASHE Members The Joint Commission (JCAHO) is conducting a plain critique of its proposed rise to bureau to standard EC. 7. 40 on the inspection, testing and precaution of arrest power systems. JCAHO proposes to add a new segment of proceeding (EP) requiring annual testing of each emergency reservoir for four unceasing hours, under freight rate.ASHE members are encouraged to labor full advantage of this prospect to Provide your input on the true(a) need for this new requirement, gossiperary if this requirement will assure greater reli office, Inform JCAHO of the specific uphold to your facility from implementing this requirement as it is proposed. The region Review will fill up on February 20, 2006 criterion EC. 7. 40 Proposed grammatical constituent of public presentation 5The placement tests each emergency generator at least(prenominal) once every 12 months for a minimum of four continuous hours. This test shall be conducted under a adulterate (dynamic or static) that is at least 30% of the nameplate rating of the generator. The domain Review is being conducted on the JCAHO website at www. jcaho. org/ authentic+ system of ruless/hospitals/standards/field+ check up ons/ec740_std_fr. htm The carte du jour contains background information that identifies emergency electrical generators as a detailed resource for delivery of safe commission.The background information further explains that interrogation generators for sufficient lengths of time increases the likelihood of detecting generator reliability problems and reduces the peril of losing this critical resource when it (is) most needed. A key movement ASHE members should comment on is As it is written will the proposed requirement gratuity to more effective detection of generator reliabil ity problems and in doing so reduce the risk of failure under emergency conditions? The Field Review is organized to challenge both the premise for and the wording of the proposed standard.The survey heads and ASHEs guidance on responding to these questions are on pages 2 and 3 of this alert. wholly issues should be for your specific facility based on your experience. In addition to providing input on whether this standard will meet its intent, you should focus on possible obstacles to complying with this requirement including resources (fuel and labor costs), disruption to services and patient care during the test, and air emission regulatory compliance issues. ASHE urges you to seize this opportunity to commentYour input is essential to ensure this proposed revision is well thought come out and will actually improve system reliability. JCAHO Field Review Proposed pinch Power Testing Standards The Field Review is an on-line survey launched from the Field Review web page at w ww. jcaho. org/accredited+organizations/hospitals/standards/field+reviews/ec740_std_fr. htm The actual survey is conducted through surveymonkey. com with results compiled for JCAHO. Below are the survey questions with guidance on how to respond to each question 1.Name this is listed as optional but we allude you translate your name 2. Organization again this is optional but we fire you provide this 3. In which one of the following categories are you primarily responding? there is a list provided to chose from in most cases you will take up the rootage choice as being a Joint Commission recognize Organization. 4. If you are primarily representing a Joint Commission accredited organization, which one category best describes your role in that organization? same to the previous question this is a list most ASHE members will aim Facility Maintenance, Facility Design, or Safety charge/Security Management. 5. For which accredited program are you responding to this field review ? a list is provided of each of the JCAHO programs for which this proposed standard will apply. Please select your primary facility (e. g. Hospital). If you lease multiple care settings, please gestate filling out a survey for each different pillow slip of care setting. 6. Does your organization rely on an emergency generator to provide care, treatment, and services during electrical power outages? Yes/No 7. Would your organization rely on an emergency generator to continue care, treatment, or services for four hours or more during extended electrical power outages? typically this is Yes unless your program allows for the discontinuation of services and facility evacuation 8. Are the proposed revisions illustrated in Element of proceeding 5, understandable or clear to your organization? this is where the rubber hits the channel. Comment on the proposed standard as it is written dont read into it what you think it is trying to say.If it is not clear please take the time to c omment on what is unclear and/or if there is a better way to clearly state what they want you to do. 9. Regarding Element of Performance 5, is the require frequency for testing emergency generators capture? the true question is should this be an annual test? The 2005 edition of NFPA 110 Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems requires Level 1 EPSS (Emergency Power leave Systems) to be tested for at least 4 hours, at least once within every 36 months.ASHE members are represented on the technical committee of NFPA 110 along with manufacturers and designers. This technical committee has voted that a 4 hour test, every three years provides adequate potency of reliable performance. If you agree with NFPA 110 you should select No. 10. If you indicated no, what would be the appropriate frequency of testing? NFPA 110 requires 36 months (NFPA 110 2005, section 8. 4. 9) 11. Do you feel that a load of 30% of the nameplate rating of the generator required in Element of Perfor mance 5 would adequately assess the generators fueling and cooling systems during the test? NFPA 110 requires the test load to be the EPSS load running at the time of the test. This is to test the ability of the EPSS to deliver the required power to the outlets, lighting, and systems that are on the emergency power system rather then to simulate it with a load. As written, EP 5 could be met through use of a resistive load affirm without testing other vital components of the EPSS including transfer switches and paralleling switchgear. This is a fundamental question will cooking the engine for 4 hours adequately test he fuel and cooling systems and therefore enhance system reliability? Or is should the entire EPSS be tested? If you feel that the entire system should be tested as required by NFPA 110 2005, section 8. 4. 9. 1, answer question 11 as No and list your reasons in the provided blank for comment. 12. Would the proposed revisions in Element of Performance 5 be burdensome f or your organization? ASHE recommends that you discuss this issue with your administration and safety committee to fully break all the implications of performing this test annually.Issues to discuss include surplus resources (fuel function and labor to conduct the test), increased amounts of air emissions from the test (state or regional clean air regulations), and disruption to services during the test such as computer based systems on emergency power, lighting, transportation systems, and ventilation systems. Organizations that have experienced any difficulty in scheduling and performing the shortly required monthly tests must ensure that all stakeholders are fully informed and supportive of the scheduling and performance of this proposed 4 hour test. 3. If Element of Performance 5 became effective immediately, how long would it take for your organization to be in compliance? this question only allows one of four responses, with a maximum of 12 months. Your response should b e informed by the news from question 12. If you feel that none of the listed time frames are adequate, utilize the spare comments area at the end of the survey to discuss the compliance timeframe 14. Would your organization utilize outside sources to perform this test required by Element of Performance 5? For example, would your organization need to utilize a load bank to meet the 30% test load requirement? ) shell out if you have the gettable staff, the available expertise on staff, and/or the available current load to perform this test without taking on additional outside expenses. If you anticipate additional expenses, provide a best-guess of that cost. For questions or comments concussion Dale Woodin at emailprotected org or 312-422-3812 https//www. premierinc. com/safety/safety-share/05-06-downloads/11-ashe-fda-bed-rail-entrapment-05-06. pdf