Transcript
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY State Fire Marshal Division INFORMATION SHEET
RELOCATABLE POWER TAPS This is intended to clarify the issue of the use of power taps in healthcare facilities and provide some guidelines for their safe use, especially in resident rooms. Typical resident rooms in health care facilities lack sufficient outlets to handle all of electrical devices used by residents today. The resident’s relatives are constantly bringing in extension cords to provide power to drive all the modern appliances the resident wants. The addition of outlets isn’t always a viable alternative. Minnesota State Fire Code (2007) Sec. 605.4 and Sec. 605.5 prohibits the use of multi-plug adapters, (such as cube adapters, non-fused plug strips) as a substitute for permanent wiring and allows extension cords shall be used only with portable appliances. Extension cords and flexible cords shall not be affixed to structures, extended through walls, ceilings or floors, or under doors or floor coverings, nor shall such cords be subject to environmental damage or physical impact. While it could be argued that power taps are the same as multiplug adapators, their use is allowed. By definition power taps must meet UL 1363. Relocatable Power Taps are allowed when the following is met: 1. The devices must be of the polarized or grounded type, having over-current protection, and shall be listed. In order to meet UL listing requirements such devices: a. Must be labeled as a “Relocatable Power Tap”, b. Must be equipped with a 15 or 20 amp fuse, c. Cannot be connected in a series (daisy chained), and d. Cannot be permanently secured to building structures, furniture or similar structures. [MSFC (2007), Sec. 605.4.1 -605.4.3]
2. They must be directly connected to a permanently installed receptacle.
[MSFC (2007), Sec. 605.4.2]
3. To prevent the overloading of the building’s electrical circuits: a. Not more than one power tap should be allowed per resident. Admittedly, this is in addition to the redundant safeguards already provided (i.e. the fuse on the device and the fuse or breaker at the electrical panel). Given the need to protect a very vulnerable population, however, it is important that every precaution be taken to avoid circumstances that could lead to overloading of the building’s electrical circuits. b. No device drawing over 2.5 amps (300 watts) may be plugged into a power tap (this assumes a typical 6-plug strip equipped with a 15 amp fuse). c. A power tap with a 20 amp fuse cannot be plugged into a 15 amp circuit. 4. The cords of power taps shall not be routed through walls, windows, ceilings or floors, under doors or floor coverings, or be located so as to be subject to environmental or [MSFC (2007), Sec. 605.4.3] physical damage, 5. In order to comply with Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) regulations, power taps must be so located that they: a. Do not create a tripping hazard; and b. Are not subject to physical damage.
It is strongly recommended that, before power taps are allowed to be brought in, the facility develop a written policy outlining, as a minimum, how they can be used, where they can be installed and what can be plugged into them. It is further recommended that this policy be submitted for review by the State Fire Marshal before being put into effect. It must be made clear that the facility administration is responsible for enforcing these guidelines.
Rationale:
The guidelines outlined herein are based on discussions with representatives from MDH, the State Board of Electricity and Minnesota OSHA. The International Fire Code has allowed the use of power taps since its first edition. These devices are specifically designed to protect the cord that connects them to the electrical receptacle they're plugged into. They're listed by UL as "Relocatable Power Taps" and are designed to serve as an extension of the building wiring. UL lists them for "indoor use as relocatable multiple extensions of a branch circuit to supply laboratory equipment, home workshops, home movie lighting controls, musical instrumentation, and to provide outlet receptacles for computers, audio and video equipment, and other equipment." (Quoted from UL Electrical Construction Equipment listing directory dated 4-13-01; page 618). Here is an idea of how much power some of the appliances more commonly found in resident rooms are estimated to draw: Appliance Amps Appliance Amps Radio .2 TV 1.7-2.1 Computer .2 Oscillating fan .7 VCR .2 Window fan 1.7 Humidifier 2.5 Cassette/CD player .1 Stereo receiver 2.4 Electric blanket 1.7 Some appliances that would not be Appliance Dehumidifier Std. Refrigerator Iron Coffee maker Hair dryer Electric air mattress
acceptable to plug into a power tap would include: Amps Appliance Amps 7.4 Portable heater 10.4-12.5 4.5 Microwave 12.1-13.5 9-10 Toaster 9.2-9.5 7.1-12.9 Blender 3.2 10 Water bed heater 3.3 3 Electric chairs 3
Unless a viable alternative is provided, extension cords will continue to be on ongoing problem in health care facilities. While it’s difficult to eliminate extension cord use completely, a fair, but strictly enforced, facility policy on power taps gives administrators something palatable to offer their clientele that allows them to live in a more home-like, yet safe, environment.
