Ensuring a healthcare facility or project within a facility is compliant with the correct life safety standards is a critical component of compliance management, according to an article on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer website.
The article reviewed some of the fire and life safety components of NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code.
NFPA 99-2015 is based on a concept of risk management within a healthcare facility. The requirements espoused through NFPA 99 are applied based on the risk category of the occupancy.
The categories are assigned based on the risk to a patient. Category 1 is applied to "activities, systems or equipment whose failure is likely to cause major injury or death of patients, staff or visitors" (NFPA 99 4.1.1). Categories 2 through 4 decrease in this risk until an activity, system or piece of equipment holds no threat or impact to patient, staff or visitor safety.
Upward Mobility: Market Forces Drive Hospitals Higher
Georgia Hospital Bomb Hoaxes Highlight Need for Healthcare–Police Partnerships
MUSC Health Celebrates Groundbreaking for Nexton Hospital and Ambulatory Cancer Facility
Mattresses Require Strict Care to Prevent Spread of Infections
Gardner Health Services Opens Alum Rock Health Center