Section 388-97-2200. Emergency power.

(1) The nursing home must have an alternate source of power and automatic transfer equipment to connect the alternate source within ten seconds of the failure of the normal source.

(2) The nursing home must ensure the alternate source is a generator:

(a) With on-site fuel supply;

(b) Permanently fixed in place;

(c) Approved for emergency service; and

(d) An on premises emergency generator, as defined in NFPA 99, Health care facilities, when life support systems are used.

(3) The nursing home must ensure the emergency power supply provides a minimum of four hours of effective power for lighting for night lights, exit signs, exit corridors, stairways, dining and recreation areas, work stations, medication preparation areas, boiler rooms, electrical service room and emergency generator locations.

(4) A nursing home first licensed on or after October 1, 1981, must have emergency power supplied to:

(a) Communication systems, all alarm systems, an elevator that reaches every resident floor including the ground floor, equipment to provide heating for resident rooms or a room to which all residents can be moved; and

(b) Electrical outlets located in medication preparation areas, pharmacy dispensing areas, staff work stations, dining areas, resident corridors, and resident bed locations designated for use with life support systems.

(5) In new construction the emergency power equipment must meet the:

(a) Earthquake standards for the facility's geographic locale; and

(b) Requirements in NFPA 110, Generators.

[Statutory Authority: Chapters 18.51 and 74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-2200, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.]

Chapters 18.51 and 74.42 RCW and 42 C.F.R. 489.52. WSR 08-20-062, § 388-97-2200, filed 9/24/08, effective 11/1/08.