Environment of Care (EC) (Critical Access Hospitals / Critical Access Hospitals)
Fire Extinguishers - Operating Rooms
Publish | January 01, 0001
What is the requirement for determining fire extinguisher types in operating rooms?
The 1998 edition of NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers is a mandatory reference in chapter 2 of the 2000 edition of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code. Per NFPA 10, therefore per EC.02.01.01 EP 1, the organization is to determine the appropriate fire extinguisher based upon risk. Organizations are encouraged to research what is appropriate for their situation. Possible considerations are that the water mist could be for surgical site fires, and the CO2 could be for drapes and other combustibles in the OR. With regard to water mist, the Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) has published information to indicate that they may not be an appropriate extinguisher. Another consideration is to evaluate whether a close-by basin of sterile water with a sponge to quench a surgical site fire might be most appropriate. A CO2 extinguisher may be made available in the room for fires away from the surgical field. But again, a site-specific risk assessment would be in order. [EC.02.03.05]
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