As we continue to see the growth of ASCs throughout the country, I am curious to hear everyone's thoughts on Master Alarm requirements. 

Most of them are performing surgery that would fall under a Category 1 facility - requiring 2 panels per code. However, they close over night & on the weekend. Most of them do not have a dedicated facility team onsite with a maintenance shop. A lot of them are small enough where if you have one master alarm going off you can hear it throughout the whole facility. We've seen some locations with two masters just down the hall or around the corner from each other. Seems redundant and unnecessary in these cases.

Just curious what you're all seeing throughout the country, and if one alarm is approved for some facilities. 

Robert Kroening wrote:

Zac,

The second panel is there for redundancy. If one of the panel fails, the second panel would remain operating and provide the alarm signal, allowing the facility to respond during an alarm condition.

I agree with Robert, the point is the redundancy, even for a small Facility. I understand it seems silly to have two panels in close proximity, but I think it's just the cost of doing business. There's always the AHJ to consult if someone wants to that headache. 

I would like to add to the thinking here with a different interpretation, which may help with your thinking.  The requirement for two master alarms for Category 1 is not about redundancy of the equipment, but about redundancy in the response.  If we could be assured that at all times a single alarm was under observation, there would never be a second alarm required.  

It is probable that a single alarm, for instance in the engineering office (best for informing the right person) will broadcast into empty space because they are off doing stuff.  Therefore, a second alarm, for instance in security (good chance of someone actually being there) is mandated.

In Category 2 patient care areas procedures are (theoretically at least) more tolerant of outages.  One alarm will (eventually) elicit a response.  

But are they?  Texas obviously does not think so (Thanks Peter) and I doubt the facility’s insurance company would be happy with that answer either.  

Locating that second panel in a small facility is definitely not straightforward.  The newer technologies (SMS messaging, intranet/internet communication, cellular modems, etc.) can offer a lot of possible answers if the facility and their 6060 are creative and work to meet the intent not just the letter of the Code. 

Always remember Clause 1.4.