DAL NH 18-04 Inspection & Maintenance of Patient Care Related Electrical Equipment and Generator Testing (PCREE)

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August 21, 2018

Re: DAL NH 18–04
Inspection & Maintenance of Patient Care Related Electrical Equipment and Generator Testing (PCREE)

Dear Nursing Home Administrator:

In January of 2017 the Department issued guidance to providers regarding the adoption of the 2012 editions of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101, the Life Safety Code (LSC) and NFPA 99, the Health Care Facilities Code (HCFC) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). In addition, CMS has adopted the codes that are listed as mandatory references in NFPA 101 and NFPA 99.

In keeping with CMS requirements, New York State began surveying facilities to the 2012 codes in November of 2016. These codes included several new requirements that were not part of the previously adopted 2000 edition of NFPA 101 and 1999 edition of NFPA 99.

One of the most significant changes are the requirements for the inspection and maintenance of Patient Care Related Electrical Equipment. The complete requirements can be found in chapter 10 of the 2012 edition of NFPA 99. The requirements include, but are not limited to:

  • The development of a facility policy and procedure for the testing and maintenance of the PCREE.
  • Testing and inspection of all PCREE before it is put into service and after any repair or modification.
  • Manufacturer´s service manuals for each piece of PCREE must be readily available at the facility.
  • Testing and maintenance of the PCREE must be based on the manufacturer´s service manual recommendations.
  • A record of PCREE tests, repairs and modifications, whether performed by facility staff or an outside vendor, must be maintained at the facility and should be readily available.
  • Personnel responsible for the testing, maintenance and use of PCREE should receive continuing training.

In addition, NFPA 99 requires that all resident owned electrical equipment be visually inspected by facility personnel.

There are several additional requirements in the 2010 edition of NFPA 110 from the previously CMS adopted 1999 edition of the code. They include, but are not limited to:

  • A fuel quality test must be performed at least annually.
  • Level 1 emergency power supply systems (generators) must be tested continuously for four hours every 36 months.

Facilities are reminded that generators must be inspected weekly and run under load for at least 30 minutes monthly. Complete documentation of all inspections, maintenance and testing must be maintained at the facility. NFPA 110 can be referenced for the complete and detailed requirements.

Copies of the NFPA materials, including the 2012 LSC (NFPA 101), the 2012 HCFC (NFPA 99), and the 2010 Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems (NFPA 110) can be obtained from the National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Massachusetts, 02169, or through the NFPA website.

Any questions regarding these requirements can be directed to your appropriate Regional Office.

Sincerely,

Shelly Glock, Director
Division of Nursing Homes and ICF/IID Surveillance
Center for Health Care Provider Services and Oversight