California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 5 - Licensing and Certification of Health Facilities, Home Health Agencies, Clinics, and Referral Agencies
Chapter 4 - Intermediate Care Facilities
Article 5 - Physical Plant
Section 73639 - Emergency Lighting and Power System

(a) Auxiliary lighting and power facilities shall be readily available in case of necessity. Flashlights shall be in readiness for use at all times. Open-flame type of light shall not be used.

(b) The licensee shall provide and maintain an emergency electrical system in safe operating condition and in compliance with subdivisions (d), (e) and (f). The system shall serve all lighting, signals, alarms and equipment required to permit continued operation of all necessary functions of the facility for a minimum of six hours.

(c) If the Department determines that an evaluation of the emergency electrical system of a facility or portion thereof, is necessary, the Department may require the licensee to submit a report by a registered electrical engineer which shall establish a basis for alteration of the system to provide reasonable compliance with Subarticle E702-B, Part 3, Title 24, California Administrative Code (Emergency Electrical Systems For Existing Nursing Homes). Essential engineering data, including load calculations, assumptions and tests, and where necessary, plans and specifications, acceptable to the Department, shall be submitted in substantiation of the report. When corrective action is determined to be necessary, the work shall be initiated and completed within an acceptable time limit.

(d) The emergency lighting and power system shall be maintained in operating condition to provide automatic restoration of power for emergency circuits within 10 seconds after normal power failure.

(e) Emergency generators shall be tested as follows:

(f) A written record of inspection, performance, exercising period and repairs shall be regularly maintained and available for inspection.