NFPA 99: Health Care Facilities Code covers areas that are not fire safety-related, but it's important to understand the standard's fire safety-related requirements, according to an article on the Consulting-Specifying Engineer website.
The document was updated using a risk-based approach versus an occupancy-based approach. This change allows healthcare facilities to use NFPA 99 to determine the risk to their patients from the procedures offered in their buildings, and it provides requirements to protect against those risks, the article said.
The requirements are based on a risk assessment of what would happen to patients or caregivers if the system was lost or compromised.
The key question is whether injuries or deaths to patients or staff will occur should the system or equipment fail.
Life Sciences and Healthcare: Reshaping Institutional Design
Arnprior Regional Health Upgrades Building Controls to Improve IEQ
Oregon Health & Science University Opens Vista Pavilion
The Growing Crisis in Rural Healthcare Facilities
A Cleaning Alternative: The Benefits of Steam Technology