to main content Type 1 Emergency Electrical System - CMS | Behavioral Health | Environment of Care EC | The Joint Commission
Type 1 Emergency Electrical System - CMS

What type of emergency electrical system is required for an ambulatory surgical center?

Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.

For ambulatory surgical centers and outpatient surgical departments that use The Joint Commission deemed status option, that were constructed, or had a change in occupancy type, or have undergone an electrical system upgrade since 1983, a Type 1 or Type 3 essential electrical system is required as defined in the 2012 edition of NFPA 99. 

This essential electrical system must be divided into three branches, including the:
  • life safety branch
  • critical branch
  • equipment branch
Both the life safety branch and the critical branch are kept independent of all other wiring and equipment, and transfer within 10 seconds of an electrical interruption.  Each branch has at least one automatic transfer switch.

Type 1 essential electrical system is required for:
  • Critical care areas are those special care units in which patients are intended to be subjected to invasive procedures using electrical patient care medical equipment.  Type 1 systems should be installed where there would be a risk of death or serious injury to the patient in the event of power failure.
Type 3 essential electrical system is permitted:
  • To supply emergency power in facilities that do not provide electrical life support or use general anesthesia.  Type 3 systems are permitted where equipment failure is less critical to human life and safety.
A Type 3 system is not permitted where a Type I system is required.

Additional Resources:
EC.02.05.03
NFPA 99-2012: 6.3.2.2.10, 6.4.1, 6.4.2.2, 6.6.3
CMS S&C 07-21
Manual: Behavioral Health
Chapter: Environment of Care EC
First published date: April 11, 2016 This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on October 27, 2021
Was this response helpful?

If no, please comment on how we could improve this response.

If you have additional standards-related questions regarding this topic, please use the Standards Online Submission Form

Get Extra Help with Books and E-books

Browse our gallery of books and e-books to find trusted prep and readiness resources, practical checklists and toolkits, and resources on specialized health care topics.

Stay Informed with Online Education

Online education is the most convenient and cost-effective way to educate your staff and minimize expenses without the need to leave your organization.

Reach Your Safety Goals with eProducts

Assessing and sustaining compliance with accreditation standards or CMS CoPs can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Rely on our proven software solutions developed by our team of industry experts.

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

If you do not find an answer to your question, please contact the Standards Interpretation Group (SIG).

Note: To provide adequate support to those organizations that are either accredited/certified or seeking accreditation/certification, we will only answer those questions submitted by those organizations seeking accreditation/certification or currently accredited/certified by the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission no longer answers questions submitted by students or vendors. Thank you for your understanding.