FAQ's
Do lead-acid starting batteries have to be replaced every two years at a medical facility?
The NFPA 110 states the following regarding lead acid batteries...
8.3.7.1 Maintenance of lead-acid batteries shall include the monthly testing and recording of
electrolyte specific gravity. Battery conductance testing shall be permitted in lieu of the testing of specific gravity when applicable or warranted.
8.3.7.2 Defective batteries shall be replaced immediately upon discovery of defects.
A.5.6.4.5.1 It is recommended that lead-acid starting batteries be replaced every 24 to 30 months.
We are an accredited medical facility, do we have to perform a 36 month load test in addition to our annual load-bank testing?
Yes ...
JCAHO’s Standard EC.7.40 regarding emergency generator testing requires accredited organizations to test their emergency generators for 4 continuous hours every 36 months. During this JCAHO 4-hour triennial load test, the generator must be loaded to at least 30% of the generator nameplate rating. Either dynamic loads (actual EPSS loads) or static loads (load banks) will be accepted by JCAHO, but the better test is the one using the actual EPSS loads as required by NFPA 110-2005. All accredited organizations must perform the first such test by July 1, 2007; but an allowance is made if an organization can demonstrate that this level of extended loaded runtime has already been achieved.
How often should we replace the diesel fuel in our above ground storage tank?
That depends on the quality of the fuel. A good periodic fuel testing program will indicate a proper course of action, such as "fuel polishing", adding a conditioner or fuel replacement.
Fuel tanks that are aboveground and subject to extreme daily temperature variations cause fuel to degrade more rapidly. This is further exacerbated with large aboveground tanks that are less than full. Airspace allows for condensation that can further add to the contaminant levels.
The NFPA 110 states the following regarding diesel fuel storage tanks ...
7.9.1.3 Tanks shall be sized so that the fuel is consumed within the storage life, or provision shall be made to replace stale fuel with clean fuel.
8.3.8 A fuel quality test shall be performed at least annually using tests approved by ASTM standards.