09/04/2019

Life Safety Code Survey Tip: Electrical Equipment

K0920 Electrical equipment is the second highest K-tag cited in Ohio in 2019. This is often cited because of the improper use of power cords. 

Power strips in a patient care vicinity should only be used for components of moveable patient care-related electrical equipment (PCREE) assembles and meet UL 1363A or UL 60601-1. Consider such items as coffee makers and miniature refrigerators being plugged into the same power strip. 

For multiple outlet connections where two or more power receptacles are supplied by a flexible cord, it shall be permitted to be used to supply power to plug-connected components of a movable equipment assembly, included rack-,table-,pedestal-, or cartmounted, provided that five conditions are met: 

• The receptacles are permanently attached to the equipment assembly, 
• The sum of the ampacity of all appliances connected to the outlets does not exceed 75 percent of the ampacity of the flexible cord supplying the outlets, 
• The ampacity of the flexible cord is in accordance with NFPA 70, 
• The electrical and mechanical integrity of the assembly is regularly verified and documented
• Means are employed to ensure that additional devices or nonmedical equipment cannot be connected to the multiple outlet extension cord after leakage currents have been verified as safe. 

Life Safety Code information can be found on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Life Safety Code webpage and on the Ohio Department of Health webpage.