NFPA 99

Receptacle Testing in Patient Care Areas

All receptacles in patient care areas (normal & emergency powered) must be tested after initial installation, replacement, or NPFA 99-2012 service, and results documented.

NFPA 99-2012, 6.3.3.2 , outlines the requirements for receptacle testing in patient care spaces, summarized as:

  • 6.3.3.2.1 The physical integrity of each receptacle shall be confirmed by visual inspection.
  • 6.3.3.2.2 The continuity of the grounding circuit in each electrical receptacle shall be verified.
  • 6.3.3.2.3 The correct polarity of the hot and neutral connections in each electrical receptacle shall be confirmed.
  • 6.3.3.2.4 The retention force of the grounding blade of each electrical receptacle (except locking-type receptacles) shall be not less than 115 grams (4 ounces) .

    • A value larger than 115 grams (4 ounces) matters in a healthcare facility because a low-tension value means that the ground pin of an attachment plug of the appliance is not making good contact with the grounding blade in the receptacle, thereby defeating the purpose of providing a low impedance path to ground for the green ground wire of the appliance.