Emergency electrical power systems are designed to provide power to critical devices and systems when power from the utility company failed. Therefore, to provide the backup, an emergency power system consists of an alternative power source such as fossil fuel generators, solar systems or uninterrupted power systems and a means for distributing the power from that source to critical devices and systems.

However, identification of critical devices and systems to receive emergency power is an important design function for clinical engineering. A comprehensive list of critical devices and systems ranges from life support equipment such as ventilators, and essential utility systems, such as medical air compressors, to safety and emergency systems, such as egress path lighting.

Emergency electrical power supply is an essential component of clinical disaster planning, according to Gary H. Harding, Alice L. Epstein, in clinical engineering book 2004, specific to essential or critical life support equipment in such areas as nursing, pharmacy, blood bank, central suction, central sterile supply, labour/delivery, intensive care units, nursery, cardiac catheterization laboratory, emergency department, radiology, treatment and patient bed space.

Emergency Fossil Fuel Generator.

Most health facilities depend largely on fossil fuel generator to provide alternative power supply during black-out from the utility

Generator is characterised by limitations on fuel availability and delivery, high operation and maintenance cost, and high transfer time of power

However, emergency power supply will comprise emergency outlet identification and testing, length of backup electrical power duration, service to piped medical gas alarms, cardiology alarms, dedicated lines to emergency department (ED), operating room(OR), obstetrical suite (OB), and intensive care unit (ICU), blood storage, central vacuum systems, medical air compressors, and availability of extension cords

UPS for Medical Devices

It is important to have the current inventory of equipment in the facility, the clinical engineer should also know the levels of equipment that are critical and ready for use in the event of an emergency. Are there alternative means to provide supply beside the traditional fossil fuel generator and the duration of autonomy?

Yes, uninterrupted power system is the most ideal solution for alternative electrical power for Critical equipment which includes but is not limited to:

Anesthesia equipment

Autoclave/sterilizers

Blood bank freezers

Cardiology/respiratory monitors

CT scanners

Defibrillators

Dialysis equipment

EEG monitors

EtO sterilizers

Infant incubators

Infusion pumps and controllers

Laboratory equipment

Laparoscopy equipment

Laryngoscopes with extra batteries

Manual resuscitators

MRI

OR tables

Orthopedic

instruments, such as hand-powered drills and saws

Oxygen concentrators

Plate developers and processors

Portable oxygen

Pulmonary function analyzer

Pulse oximeters

Respirators

Sterilizers

Suction machine/pump

Traction equipment

Ultrasound equipment

Ventilators (adult and pediatric)

X-ray equipment

Uninerrupted Power Supply UPS

Uninterrupted Power Supply is a solid-state electronic device that consist of an Inverter, charger and battery bank, the system using the charger stores energy in the battery bank when there is power from the utility and when power from the utility fails, the system converts the stored energy to electrical power using the inverter to supply the critical equipment.

The benefit of UPS over the fosil fuel generator is that it is seamless with zero transfer time to keep the critical equipment working without any disruption

GreenPower will be happy to offer free consultation on how you can implement emergency electrical power for your facilities.

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