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Temporary extension leads in Healthcare Environment for Short Power Shutdowns

Adrian B
Quick question which hopefully somebody may be able to help with:


I have a hospital tower block with 2 rising busbars, east and west.  I need to shut down the East busbar to carry out modification works to the East side LV Switch Panel.

5 years ago, the Trust (Hospital) did this exact same procedure and the electrical contractor at the time supplied dozens of extension leads to enable more essential (but not life critical) power supplies to be kept up and running for a period of half a day during the panel shut down.  The contractor also provided temporary lighting where necessary (i.e. festoon type + emergency fittings).

5 years later (now) the contractor is suggesting that it is against regulations to provide temporary extension leads and a fire risk.  I understand that a risk assessment needs to be carried out and agreed with the Trust to carry these works out, but, I personally cannot find any mention of this being unacceptable within regulations.

Can anyone advise if this is the case?

Thanks in advance for any response


Regards

Adrian
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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Well, to some extent, Chris, just because it is the NHS it could be done if required (more employees than the Chinese Red Army and more difficult to make it change direction, and all that -  but with a plan in place, they can respond awesomely)


    As an example, We've successfully just doubled the O2 capacity of an acute district hospital whilst fully operational with very careful design and many steps in the phasing  - essentially we've installed duplicate VIE plant at the opposite end of site and managed to put a new O2 header through the hospital street to connect both plants and then installed a number of branches and loops to get more O2 to areas where even a conservative HTM assessment would show the demand is off the scale (principally due to whole wards now being used for oxygen therapy and having unprecedented demand)


    We've also put in isolation pods at a number of sites to provide an extra layer of safety for paediatric bed spaces where the patient is extremely vulnerable


    To be fair, most of these examples are PFI - but the works could only take place due to the fantastic responses from the NHS staff at every level


    In terms of electrical supply, it's not that important in the short term - a few good nurses can keep a critical patient going without any power, for a reasonable time step - it's just easier if you have some. Fire is the biggest risk


    Regards


    OMS


Reply
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Well, to some extent, Chris, just because it is the NHS it could be done if required (more employees than the Chinese Red Army and more difficult to make it change direction, and all that -  but with a plan in place, they can respond awesomely)


    As an example, We've successfully just doubled the O2 capacity of an acute district hospital whilst fully operational with very careful design and many steps in the phasing  - essentially we've installed duplicate VIE plant at the opposite end of site and managed to put a new O2 header through the hospital street to connect both plants and then installed a number of branches and loops to get more O2 to areas where even a conservative HTM assessment would show the demand is off the scale (principally due to whole wards now being used for oxygen therapy and having unprecedented demand)


    We've also put in isolation pods at a number of sites to provide an extra layer of safety for paediatric bed spaces where the patient is extremely vulnerable


    To be fair, most of these examples are PFI - but the works could only take place due to the fantastic responses from the NHS staff at every level


    In terms of electrical supply, it's not that important in the short term - a few good nurses can keep a critical patient going without any power, for a reasonable time step - it's just easier if you have some. Fire is the biggest risk


    Regards


    OMS


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