Generator Rooms

Accreditation Monthly

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December 17, 2009

One of the more inconspicuous areas in a hospital is the room that houses the emergency power generators. In this room the generators sit very still and quiet, waiting for their moment to come to life and provide the emergency power they were designed for. Testing and inspecting requirements for the generators are well defined in the Joint Commission EC standards. However, the requirements for the room that houses the generators are not well understood. In fact, outside of the facilities staff, not many people know where their generators are located, nor do they know whether the room that houses them is properly maintained and prepared.

The NFPA 101 (2000 edition) Life Safety Code® requires hospitals to comply with NFPA 110 (1999 edition), Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. This standard has specific requirements that are often overlooked:

• The emergency power generators are required to be installed in a separate room (7.2.1)
• If the room is located within the hospital or attached to the hospital, then the walls, floor, and deck above are required to be two-hour fire-resistive rated (7.2.1.1)
• No other equipment except that which serves the space is permitted in the room (7.2.1.2)

In summary:

• The generators have to be in a separate room dedicated for the purpose of the room
• They cannot be in a room that has other nonrelated equipment, such as chillers, water pumps, and compressors
• The room must have two-hour fire-rated walls
• The door to the room must be at least 1½-hour fire rated, with a closure and positive latching hardware
• Any ductwork that penetrates the fire-rated walls must have a fire damper rated for at least 1½ hours
• All penetrations through the walls must be properly sealed with fire-rated materials

Any deficiency to the room would probably be scored under the standard EC.02.01.01, "The hospital manages safety and security risks," and EP 3, "The hospital takes action to minimize or eliminate identified safety and security risks in the physical environment." This EP is a Direct Impact element and therefore would contribute toward an adverse decision in the overall scoring decision. Thus, it would be a good idea for you to examine the generator room to ensure that it is compliant.

Brad Keyes, Consultant 12/2009

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