Safety Requirements for Temporary Emergency Health Care Facility (TEHCF)

April 22, 2020

Given the current situation with COVID-19 and its potential impact on the capacity of the health care system, this document highlights major electrical safety requirements when using existing buildings or temporary structures as TEHCF.

The intent of this document is to assist in the rapid conversion of these facilities by providing a deviation, as described herein, to the requirements of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) regarding basic and intermediate patient care areas (as defined in OESC) as well as recovery centres, while requiring the TEHCF to maintain an acceptable level of electrical safety.

Unless requested by the health care administrator(s) responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and controlling the TEHCF, “Section 24 – Patient care areas” of the OESC need not apply. In general, requirements of Section 76 “Temporary Wiring” of the OESC shall be permitted for the temporary use of establishments used as TEHCFs. Examples of TEHCFs include but are not limited to:

 Hotels and student dorms

 Field hospitals

 Heated garage space (parking garages)

 Arenas and exhibition places.

 Large open manufacturing spaces.

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