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Biomedical subjects

W E Koffel

Publications and source records attributed to W E Koffel.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Fire warning and safety systems.

Fire Warning and Safety Systems was written to do more than just help hospitals prepare for surveys by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Its primary purpose is to assist hospitals in developing a fire safety program that includes and incorporates the role and function of fire protection systems. The manual is also designed to enhance the reader's understanding of fire protection systems and to improve the reliability of such systems with a proper preventive maintenance program. Fire safety programs in hospitals are often developed on the basis of compliance with applicable code requirements and JCAHO standards. However, the codes contain what are generally considered to be minimum requirements. Often the requirements do not truly define performance objectives and, therefore, most hospitals do not truly know the level of fire protection or level of risk present in the facility. For this reason, one of the primary aspects of a hospital fire safety program should be the development of performance objectives that define the acceptable level of risk from fire. Once the level of risk has been identified, the role of building design and construction, fire protection systems, contents and furnishing, and facility staff can be evaluated and defined. This book primarily addresses the role of fire protection systems, although chapter 5 does contain a discussion of staff behavior, but primarily from the perspective of staff's role in fire extinguishment. Volume 2 of ASHE's Management and Compliance Series, Developing a Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program, further expands on staff's role and emergency preparedness. Various fire protection systems will be discussed throughout the manual. For each system, an overview of how the system functions is provided. The text also summarizes applicable code provisions that identify when such systems are required and how such systems are to be installed, inspected, tested, and maintained. After a brief description of the basic components of the systems, preventive maintenance guidelines are provided, including proper acceptance test procedures. Our experience indicates that many problems encountered by hospitals with fire protection systems have existed since the day the system was installed. Appendix A contains material that should assist facilities in developing a fire risk management program based on a fire risk assessment. Appendix B contains information about the suitability of various extinguishing agents to suppress a fire involving certain hazards.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Building Codes↗
PubMed1987

What the codes say on life safety. Significant changes for residential care.

The fire protection requirements contained in the model building codes and the Life Safety Code are constantly being scrutinized and revised. The American Health Care Association is actively participating in the code development and revision processes of the model code organizations and NFPA to ensure that the interests of the residential care community can be considered. While the effort is being coordinated by AHCA's Residential Care Committee, all interested parties are invited to participate and have their opinions and concerns heard.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Regulating contents and furnishings.

The criteria in the 1991 edition of the Life Safety Code are a first attempt to address the fire hazards associated with upholstered furniture and mattresses. Recognizing that the criteria do not represent a complete hazard analysis, it is anticipated that the subcommittee will continue its efforts and will evaluate the appropriateness of additional criteria. The NFPA Standards Council also has appointed a Technical Committee on Contents and Furnishings, which will meet in August 1991. This committee will have primary responsibility for developing fire hazard calculation procedures and documents that other committees can use to control the fire hazards of contents and furnishings.

Beds↗