Hospitals can have some unique equipment. I still remember the time I heard of and saw my first hyperbaric chamber at the hospital I worked at. It was rather intimidating and looked very complicated. After talking with the hyperbaric chamber staff, it was clear that it takes very intelligent people to work around these machines. They explained to me all the safety features and inspections that are in place to keep the patient and staff safe. Even now after all these years working in healthcare, these machines still amaze me. I wanted to share with you some of the requirements that the NFPA 99-2012 Healthcare Facilities Code has around hyperbaric chambers. Requirements you may not have known about.
Chamber Types
There are three different chamber types:
There are three different chamber types:
- Class A – Human, multiple occupancy
- Class B – Human, single occupancy
- Class C – Animal, no human occupancy
For obvious reasons, we will focus on Class A & B chambers.
Housing for Hyperbaric Chambers
When a Class A chamber is located inside of a building, the chamber(s) and all ancillary service equipment must be in a location that is protected with a 2-hour fire-resistance rated construction. The fire rated construction is not required if the Class A chambers, and all ancillary service equipment is in a freestanding or dedicated building containing only this equipment. Class B chambers do not require the 2-hour fire rated construction when they are located inside of a building. There are instances when the chambers are in a trailer or vehicle-mounted facility. The 2-hour rated construction is only required when the trailer or vehicle-mounted facilities are contiguous (touching) to the hospital. Emergency Depressurization and Facility Evacuation Capability
When a Class A chamber is located inside of a building, the chamber(s) and all ancillary service equipment must be in a location that is protected with a 2-hour fire-resistance rated construction. The fire rated construction is not required if the Class A chambers, and all ancillary service equipment is in a freestanding or dedicated building containing only this equipment. Class B chambers do not require the 2-hour fire rated construction when they are located inside of a building. There are instances when the chambers are in a trailer or vehicle-mounted facility. The 2-hour rated construction is only required when the trailer or vehicle-mounted facilities are contiguous (touching) to the hospital. Emergency Depressurization and Facility Evacuation Capability
If a fire occurs within the building where a hyperbaric chamber occurs, it is not as simple as immediately pulling a patient out and evacuating them. It takes time to depressurize the chamber to safely remove the patient. Class A chambers must be capable of depressurizing from 3 ATA to ambient pressure in not more than 6 minutes. Class B chambers must be capable of doing the same but in not more than 2 minutes. These times must be tested annually during the hyperbaric chamber fire training drill. Due to the timing of the depressurization, staff must have access to a source of breathable gas that allows them unrestricted mobility in the event that air is fouled by smoke in the chamber location.
Fire Protection
Class A chambers are required to have a fire suppression system that consists of an independently supplied and operating handline - and deluge-type water spray system. Class B chambers are not required to a fire suppression system located inside of the chamber. Class B chamber locations must have a fire alarm signaling device located inside the room to signal emergency services. When a chamber is located in a trailer or vehicle-mounted facility that is not contiguous to a hospital they either have to have a fire alarm signaling device present or they must have a means for immediately contacting the local fire department.
Class A chambers are required to have a fire suppression system that consists of an independently supplied and operating handline - and deluge-type water spray system. Class B chambers are not required to a fire suppression system located inside of the chamber. Class B chamber locations must have a fire alarm signaling device located inside the room to signal emergency services. When a chamber is located in a trailer or vehicle-mounted facility that is not contiguous to a hospital they either have to have a fire alarm signaling device present or they must have a means for immediately contacting the local fire department.
Administration and Maintenance
Each hyperbaric facility must have an on-site safety director to be in charge of all hyperbaric equipment and the operational safety requirements. All personnel, including those involved in the maintenance and repair of the hyperbaric facility, shall be trained on the purpose, application, operation, and limitation of emergency equipment. All staff must be trained on emergency procedures. These emergency procedures and fire training drills must be conducted at least annually and documented by the safety director.
Each hyperbaric facility must have an on-site safety director to be in charge of all hyperbaric equipment and the operational safety requirements. All personnel, including those involved in the maintenance and repair of the hyperbaric facility, shall be trained on the purpose, application, operation, and limitation of emergency equipment. All staff must be trained on emergency procedures. These emergency procedures and fire training drills must be conducted at least annually and documented by the safety director.
Conclusion
This is by no means all the important requirements that apply to hyperbaric chambers. That would take an article much longer than this. I wanted to include some of those requirements that many times individuals who don’t work with a hyperbaric chamber may not know. Hospital staff need to understand the risks associated with the chamber and the uniqueness of them when it comes to fire response.
This is by no means all the important requirements that apply to hyperbaric chambers. That would take an article much longer than this. I wanted to include some of those requirements that many times individuals who don’t work with a hyperbaric chamber may not know. Hospital staff need to understand the risks associated with the chamber and the uniqueness of them when it comes to fire response.