Regulations, Codes & Standards Q&A: MRI smoke detectors

Brad Keyes discusses regulations for MRI smoke detectors

By Brad Keyes / Special to Healthcare Facilities Today


Q: Is there anywhere in the Life Safety Code that says you have to have a smoke detector inside the MRI control room? I was told that another hospital in our area had been written up by a surveyor during their triennial accreditation survey for not having one and I can't find it anywhere.

A: Ah… the ever-present phantom finding by a surveyor. No… There is no Life Safety Code or NFPA 72 requirement for a smoke detector in an MRI control room. However, depending on the situation, if there was a requirement for the entire building, or the entire area where the MRI control room is located to have smoke detectors, then the surveyor’s finding is valid.

If the MRI area was locked under section 19.2.2.2.5.2 of the 2012 LSC (Specialized Protective Measure locks), then the entire locked area needs to be protected with smoke detectors. If the MRI area was under an equivalency and is required to be protected with smoke detectors, then the control room would need one as well. 

We really don’t know the rest of the story. 

Brad Keyes, CHSP, is the owner of KEYES Life Safety Compliance, and his expertise is in the management of the Life Safety Program, including the Environment of Care and Emergency Management programs.



February 19, 2020


Topic Area: Regulations, Codes & Standards


Recent Posts

Sunflower Medical Group Facing Lawsuit Following January Data Breach

The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, damages, expanded credit monitoring services and security improvements at Sunflower Medical Group.


Nemours Children's Health Opens New Location in Lake Nona

The nearly 8,000-square-foot facility will increase access to primary and specialty care services.


Enhancing Safety at Hennepin Healthcare with a Screening System

Case study: The system was able to detect 2,500 risk items in less than five months.


Healthcare Workers Outside Butler Memorial Hospital for Increased Workplace Safety

The picketing comes as the nurses and other healthcare staff experience increasing incidents of workplace violence.


TriasMD Set to Open DISC Surgery Center at Carlsbad

With construction finished, it is now being equipped and staffed to take on its first cases.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.