Managing Hospital Electrical System Shutdowns
By David Stymiest, P.E., CHFM, FASHE, CEM, GBE
Summary
The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive program for analyzing the need for, planning and
conducting electrical "shutdowns" in operating hospital buildings. An electrical "shutdown" as described in this
paper is a pre-planned and scheduled partial or full electrical distribution system outage necessary to satisfy any of
these needs. The information is based on case studies and the lessons learned during several building-wide and
multi-building shutdowns conducted between 1991 and 1995 at the writer's facility. Examples are given from both
patient care and research buildings. These shutdowns are necessary for preventive maintenance, equipment repairs,
support staff training and unit training. Shutdowns meet needs in all three areas that cannot be met any other way.
Electrical shutdowns can be conducted safely and effectively. A well thought out plan builds credibility and allows necessary activities to occur. Communication and comprehensive analysis are most important in building this credibility. Examples of the management methods, communications vehicles, and reporting mechanisms are presented to aid health care facilities personnel and managers to build their own programs.
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