New rules cover electrical installations in medical centres

Published: 22-Jul-2011
Design & Build


THE Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched the IET Wiring Regulations, 17th Edition, BS 7671:2008 incorporating Amendment No.1, 2011, which introduces a major new section relating to all electrical installations in healthcare facilities. The guidance relates to hospitals, private clinics, medical and dental practices, healthcare centres and dedicated medical rooms and was jointly published with the British Standards Institute. It categorises medical locations into three groups dependent upon the associated risk to patients of electric shock or loss of life through failure of an electrical supply. Requirements for the protection of circuits supplying critical medical equipment are also covered. Geoff Cronshaw, chief electrical engineer at the IET, said: "The work behind Section 710 has been going on since 1988 and reflects the heightened risks of electrical installations of medical locations. It is therefore essential that all designers and electrical installers working in hospitals, dental practices and other medical settings familiarise themselves with the amended regulations to ensure the work they do is compliant with BS 7617:2008(2011)."

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