Environment of Care (EC) (Hospital and Hospital Clinics / Hospitals)
Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) transfer time requirements - Testing
Publish | January 01, 0001
What is the requirement for testing Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)?
Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) are considered high-risk utility systems equipment that have code-related (NFPA 99 (1999 edition) and NFPA 110 (1999 edition) testing requirements. As is the case with other similar utility system components, like fire safety systems (EC.02.03.05), emergency power systems (EC.02.05.07) and piped medical gas systems (EC.02.05.09), there is to be documentation of the result of testing for each unique piece of equipment or device defined by the element of performance. This is a long-established Joint Commission survey requirement. Per The Joint Commission standard EC.02.05.07, all automatic transfer switches are to be tested monthly. Per EC.02.05.01, testing activities are to be conducted in accordance with the assessed maintenance strategies that best suit the unique system design, so an organization will be surveyed based upon the requirements of EC.02.05.07, and whether their testing methods are in keeping with the intent of EC.02.05.01. Per NFPA 99 (1999 edition) 3-4.3, the 10-second transfer time is applicable to loss of normal power for the emergency system only (life safety and critical branches). The equipment branch is not required to transfer within 10 seconds upon loss of normal power because it is not part of the emergency system. The 10-second time to complete transfer is for conditions when normal power is interrupted, not as testing criteria. Although NFPA 99 (2012 edition) clarifies this, The Joint Commission still uses the 1999 edition. It is a best practice, but not a requirement, to initiate the load test with a different ATS each month. [EC.02.05.07]
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