467.2.8 Emergency Electrical System

A Type III essential electrical system shall be provided in all hospice facilities as described in National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 99, "Health Care Facilities", and incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-3.012, Florida Administrative Code. The emergency power for this system shall meet the requirements of a Level II, type 10, Class 48 generator as described in National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 110, "Emergency Standby Power Systems", and incorporated by reference in Rule 69A-3.012, Florida Administrative Code.

In new construction, the normal main service equipment shall be separated from the emergency distribution equipment by locating it in a separate room. Transfer switches shall be considered emergency distribution equipment for this purpose.

Switches for critical branch lighting shall be completely separate from normal switching. The devices or cover plates shall be of a distinctive color. Critical branch switches are permitted to be adjacent to normal switches. Switches for life safety lighting are not permitted except as required for dusk-to-dawn automatic control of exterior lighting fixtures.

There shall be selected life safety lighting provided at a minimum of 1 footcandle (10 lux) and designed for automatic dusk-to-dawn operation along the travel paths from the exits to the public way or to safe areas located a minimum of 30 feet (9.14 m) from the building.

A minimum of one elevator per bank serving any patient use floor shall be connected to the equipment branch of the essential electric system and arranged for manual or automatic operation during loss of normal power. Elevator cab lighting, controls, and communication and signal systems shall be connected to the life safety branch.

There shall be a dedicated low-fuel alarm for the day tank supplying the emergency generator driver. A manual pump shall also be provided for the day tank. The alarm shall be located at the generator derangement panel.

Transfer switch contacts shall be of the open type and shall be accessible for inspection and replacement.

If required by the facility's emergency food plan, there shall be power connected to the equipment branch of the essential electrical system for kitchen refrigerators, freezers and range hood exhaust fans. Selected lighting within the kitchen and dry storage areas shall be connected to the critical branch of the essential electrical system.