By Brad Keyes / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today

Q: Are there any Life Safety Code requirements for a battery-charging room, such as HVAC pressurization and air changes per hour (ACH) rates? These rooms are where I charge my EVS floor machines.

A: I guess it would depend on how the room is interpreted in regards to its function. According to the 2014 FGI Guidelines, which references the ASHRAE 170 table, a janitor’s closet must be negative, have 10 ACH, the air in the room must be exhausted to the outdoors, you cannot have a room HVAC that recirculates air, and there is no design requirements for humidity and temperature.

If the room is a hazardous material storage (which sounds more like it), the room would have to meet the same requirements as listed above, with the added requirement that there is 2 ACH of outdoor air.

But those are for new construction. For existing conditions, you would have to comply with the FGI or AIA requirements in effect at the time of the design of the room.

Brad Keyes, CHSP, is the owner of KEYES Life Safety Compliance, and his expertise is in the management of the Life Safety Program, including the Environment of Care and Emergency Management programs.