10A NCAC 13B .1932. EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL SERVICE

(a)  A minimum of one dedicated emergency branch circuit per bed is required for ventilator dependent patients in addition to the normal system receptacle at each bed location required by the National Electrical Code.  This emergency circuit shall be provided with a minimum of two duplex receptacles identified for emergency use.  Additional emergency branch circuits/receptacles shall be provided where the electrical life support needs of the patient exceed the minimum requirements stated in this Paragraph.  Each emergency circuit serving ventilator dependent patients shall be fed from the automatically transferred critical branch of the essential electrical system.  This Paragraph shall apply to both new and existing facilities.

(b)  Heating equipment provided for ventilator dependent patient bedrooms shall be connected to the critical branch of the essential electrical system and arranged for delayed automatic or manual connection to the emergency power source if the heating equipment depends upon electricity for proper operation.  This Paragraph shall apply to both new and existing facilities.

(c)  Task lighting connected to the automatically transferred critical branch of the essential electrical system shall be provided for each ventilator dependent patient bedroom.  This Paragraph shall apply to both new and existing facilities.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E‑79;

Eff. December 1, 1991.