Building Service Requirements for PAH-S1-3200
The facility housing the chamber shall ensure compliance with all local fire and building codes. The facility should only use qualified licensed construction personnel and should document all activities. Pre-planning requires that the facility enlist the services of a licensed medical gas supplier and certified medical gas plumber. A licensed electrician is required to ensure proper grounding of the chamber and installation of necessary outlets for electrical power. For guidance on minimum construction requirements, see NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, Chapter 14, Hyperbaric Facilities, and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. In areas where AIA guidelines are followed, see applicable chapters for Hyperbaric Facilities.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) – NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code. NFPA 99 has chapters specific to Hyperbaric Facilities (Chapter 14) and piping for Medical Gas and Vacuum Systems (Chapter 5.)
- In most cases, the oxygen supply and storage area of a facility will fall under the NFPA 99 medical gas rules while the remainder will fall under the standards, rules, and procedures of the hyperbaric facility.
- NFPA 70, National Electrical Code must be used to ensure electrical safety.
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code requires that the building housing the hyperbaric chamber comply with NFPA 99.
- Undersea Hyperbaric Medical Society’s Hyperbaric Facility Design Guidelines and Facility Accreditation Guidelines for Quality Assurance. Contact: UHMS Quality Assurance.
- State Department of Health, Health Care Financing Administration, HIPPA requirements.
Before the start of facility operations, the Local Authority having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may require the building to be in full compliance with all applicable standards, codes, rules, and regulations provided in but not limited to the Uniform Building Code, NFPA 50, NFPA 55, NFPA 70, NFPA 99, AND NFPA 101.