Safeguarding Critical Care Areas

In group 2 rooms, the use of unearthed systems (IT systems) is a requirement as an interruption to the power supply is potentially life-threatening to the patients being treated. Treatments cannot be interrupted and repeated, tests results need to be saved. The mandatory use of the IT system means the medical electrical devices/systems remain active on a first fault and there is no dangerous increase in the touch voltage.

Industry standards, including IEC 60364-7-710 and HTM06-01, require that if a hospital’s main power supply fails an alternative should kick-in within 0.5 seconds, at least in areas where isolated power is installed. And for some electronic equipment even this is too long.

Electrical power supplies and IPS systems can have their reliability enhanced with Uninterruptible Power Supplies, ATICs and back-up generators. UPS systems can be supplied as standalone units or for enhanced resilience, may be configured as N+ 1 solution with single, double or triple input supplies. Isolated Power Supplies configured with ATICs and N+1 UPS systems are often considered the most resilient solutions available.

Alarms and diagnostics from the various elements of the system can be integrated to provide operational reports, predictive forecasts, current and emergency information.

This can be supplied directly to theatre staff, facilities managers and other appropriate people.

Signalling, operation, communication – Overview of your system Despite the increasing presence of technology in today's society – people retain a crucial role. These people need to be provided with the right information, in the right place and at the right time, so that they can take prompt and appropriate action.

All the information, including any alarms from operating theatres or intensive care units, comes together at the nurses’ station. It is good when the alarm indicator and test combination installed is as compact, simple to use and clear as possible. External alarms, (UPS off, laser warning on, etc.) should also be visible there. Alarm indicator and test combinations from Bender are adapted to your specific requirements.

The purpose of an EBB or earth reference bar (ERB) is to equalise the potential difference between conductive parts and protective conductors located in the Group 1 and 2 Medical Locations.

All extraneous metalwork within the patient area must be bonded to the EBB.  In these areas the measured resistance of the protective conductor between the earth terminal of any socket-outlet (or fixed equipment) and any extraneous conductive part shall not exceed 0.2Ω, assuming type `B` MCBs are being used and further consideration should be given when using alternative types.

Three types of Bender EBBs are available in a range of size and specifications. Options include single and multi-patient in flush or surface mount enclosures.