Complete Monograph: 2024 Group A Proposed Changes (2658 pages)
International Building Code Chapter 30: Elevators and Conveying Systems
2024/2025/2026 ICC CODE DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULE
Means of Egress
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Snow Management
“A Morning Snow–Hudson River” 1910 George Wesley Bellows | Smithsonian American Art Museum
This time of year in the Northern Hemisphere we keep an eye on snow management standards; among them titles developed by the Accredited Snow Contractors Association. The barriers to entry into this domain are relatively low and, arguably undisciplined; hence the need for standards setting. Even when only partially adopted, use of ANSI accredited standards reduces the “wheel reinvention” that is common to the business side of the education industry when new initiatives, or continuous improvement programs are undertaken without consideration of already existing leading practice discovery by ANSI-accredited technical committees. Start here:
The parent title for the emergent ASCA bibliography is System Requirements for Snow and Ice Management Services; free to ASCA members. The current version is dated 2014 and will likely be updated and/or re-affirmed. The circumstances of the pandemic has slowed the work of many standards setting committees. The safety and sustainability concepts remain intact, however. Among them:
- If snow can be removed from a lot or hard surface and appropriate room exists, always push the snow as far back as possible beyond the curb or lot edge to make room for additional snow.
- If snow cannot be removed from a lot or hard surface, always place snow piles on a predetermined spot approved by the client and marked on the snow contractor’s preseason site report.
- Do not pile snow in a handicap parking space.
- Do not bury or plow snow onto a fire hydrant, post indicator valve, or fire hookup along the building wall.
- Avoid placement of snow piles where thaw/melt off can run across the parking lot surface. Try to place piles near drain grates to avoid icy situations during thaw-and-refreeze periods.
- Do not push snow against a building.
- Do not block building doorways or emergency exits.
- Do not block pedestrian walks or paths with snow piles.
- Do not push snow onto motor vehicles.
- Do not plow snow in front of or bury trash containers. Sidewalk labor must shovel inside trash container enclosure for access to the doors. If the container is not in an enclosure, create a clear path to the access doors or panels.
ASCA has more recently released another title — Standard Practice for Procuring and Planning Snow & Ice Management Services — that seems (by its title alone) to be a companion consensus product. From its prospectus:
This standard of practice covers essential procuring and planning for snow and ice management services. Standards for procuring and planning are essential for business continuity and to improve safety for patrons, tenants, employees, and others in the general public. Knowing how to describe service requirements in a snow and ice management request for proposal (RFP) is an important component to providing effective services, particularly where winter weather is a variable. This standard practice provides guidance on the snow and ice management procurement and planning process to aid in the creation of RFPs, contracts, agreements, and monitoring procedures. This standard will not be submitted for consideration as an ISO, IEC, or ISO/IEC JTC-1 standard.
Apart from these titles, we do not see any recent happening in the ASCA standards setting enterprise. We will pass information along as it becomes available. Alternatively, you may communicate directly with ASCA, 5811 Canal Road Valley View, OH 44125, Ph: (800) 456-0707. Most education communities employ a combination of permanent and contract staff for these services.
We maintain the ASCA bibliography on our Snow & Ice colloquia See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting; open to everyone.
Issue: [13-104]
Category: Grounds and Landscaping, Exterior, Public Safety, Risk Management
Colleagues: John Lawter, Richard Robben
More>>
2028 National Electrical Safety Code
IEEE Standards Association Public Review
Related Issues and Recent Research | Federal Legislation
“Rain in Charleston” 1951 Thomas Fransioli
This title sets the standard of care for construction, operation and maintenance of power and telecommunication infrastructure on the supply side of the point of common coupling. It is the first title to contemplate when weather disasters happen; with most public utilities bound to its best practice assertions by statute. Pre-print of Change Proposals for changes to appear in 2028 Edition will be available by 1 July 2025; with 24 March 2026 as the close date for comments on proposed changes.
Project Introduction for the 2028 Edition (2:39 minutes)
Changes proposals for the Edition will be received until 15 May 2024
Project Workspace: Update Data Tables in IEEE Recommended Practice for the Design of Reliable Industrial and Commercial Power Systems
Painting by Linda Kortesoja Klenczar
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Electrical Resource Adequacy
NARUC Position on NFPA (NEC) and IEEE (NESC) Harmonization
The standard of care for electrical safety at high and low voltage is set by both the NEC and the NESC. There are gaps, however (or, at best “gray areas”) — the result of two technical cultures: utility power culture and building fire safety culture. There is also tradition. Local system conditions and local adaptation of regulations vary. Where there is a gap; the more rigorous requirement should govern safety of the public and workers.
The 2023 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)– an IEEE title often mistaken for NFPA’s National Electrical Code (NEC) — was released for public use about six months ago; its normal 5-year revision cycle interrupted by the circumstances of the pandemic. Compared with the copy cost of the NEC, the NESC is pricey, though appropriate for its target market — the electric utility industry. Because the 2023 revision has not been effectively “field tested” almost all of the available support literature is, effectively, “sell sheets” for pay-for seminars and written by authors presenting themselves as experts for the battalions of litigators supporting the US utility industry. Without the ability to sell the NESC to prospective “insiders” the NESC would not likely be commercial prospect for IEEE. As the lawsuits and violations and conformance interests make their mark in the fullness of time; we shall see the 2023 NESC “at work”.
Office of the President: Economic Benefits of Increasing Electric Grid Resilience to Weather Outages
Change Proposals are now being accepted from the public for revisions to the 2023 Edition of the National Electrical Safety Code® #NESC through 15 May 2024.
Learn more: https://t.co/jbxWtLPS6r pic.twitter.com/FRvZly1DoH
— IEEE Standards Association | IEEE SA (@IEEESA) April 11, 2024
“Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world.”
– Isaac Asimov pic.twitter.com/IDl3dWLVgn— World of Engineering (@engineers_feed) February 26, 2024
Research Tracks:
Reliability of Communication Systems needed for the autonomous vehicle transformation
- Smart Grid Technologies:
- Investigating advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of power grids.
- Energy Storage Systems:
- Researching and developing new energy storage technologies to improve grid stability and accommodate intermittent renewable energy sources.
- Distributed Generation Integration:
- Studying methods to seamlessly integrate distributed energy resources such as solar panels and wind turbines into the existing power grid.
- Grid Resilience and Security:
- Exploring technologies and strategies to enhance the resilience of power grids against cyber-attacks, natural disasters, and other threats.
- Demand Response Systems:
- Researching ways to improve demand-side management and develop systems that allow consumers to actively participate in grid balancing.
University of Groningen: Smart Grid Blockchains
- Researching ways to improve demand-side management and develop systems that allow consumers to actively participate in grid balancing.
- Advanced Sensors and Monitoring:
- Developing new sensor technologies and monitoring systems to enhance grid visibility, detect faults, and enable predictive maintenance.
- Power Quality and Reliability:
- Studying methods to improve power quality, reduce voltage fluctuations, and enhance overall grid reliability.
- Integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs):
- Researching the impact of widespread electric vehicle adoption on the grid and developing smart charging infrastructure.
- Grid Automation and Control:
- Exploring advanced automation and control strategies to optimize grid operations, manage congestion, and improve overall system efficiency.
- Campus Distribution Grid Selling and Buying
_-_Benjamin_Franklin_Drawing_Electricity_from_the_Sky_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
Standards:
Presentation | FERC-NERC-Regional Entity Joint Inquiry Into Winter Storm Elliott
IEEE Guide for Joint Use of Utility Poles with Wireline and/or Wireless Facilities
NESC Rule 250B and Reliability Based Design
NESC Requirements (Strength and Loading)
Engineering Analysis of Possible Effects of 2017 NESC Change Proposal to Remove 60′ Exemption
Joint Use of Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Facilities and Equipment
A Framework to Quantify the Value of Operational Resilience for Electric Power Distribution Systems
Technologies for Interoperability in Microgrids for Energy Access
National Electrical Safety Code: Revision Cycles 1993 through 2023
February 24, 2023
The new code goes into effect 1 February 2023, but is now available for access on IEEE Xplore! Produced exclusively by IEEE, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) specifies best practices for the safety of electric supply and communication utility systems at both public and private utilities. The bibliography is expanding rapidly:
NESC 2023: Introduction to the National Electrical Safety Code
NESC 2023: Safety Rules for Installation and Maintenance of Overhead Electric Supply
NESC 2023: Rules for Installation and Maintenance of Electric Supply Stations
October 31, 2022
The IEEE NESC technical committee has released a “fast track” review of proposed changes to fault-managed power system best practice:
CP5605 Provides a definition of new Fault Managed Power System (FMPS) circuits used for the powering of
communications equipment clearly defines what constitutes a FMPS circuit for the purposes of application of the NESC
Rules of 224 and 344
https://ieee-sa.imeetcentral.com/p/eAAAAAAASPXtAAAAADhMnPs
CP5606 Provides new definitions of Communication Lines to help ensure that Fault Managed Power Systems (FMPS)
circuits used for the exclusive powering of communications equipment are clearly identified as communications lines
and makes an explicit connection to Rule 224B where the applicable rules for such powering circuits are found.
https://ieee-sa.imeetcentral.com/p/eAAAAAAASPXpAAAAAFfvWIs
CP5607 The addition of this exception permits cables containing Fault Managed Power System (FMPS) circuits used for
the exclusive powering of communications equipment to be installed without a shield.
https://ieee-sa.imeetcentral.com/p/eAAAAAAASPXuAAAAAEEt3p4
CP5608 The addition of this exception permits cables containing Fault Managed Power System (FMPS) circuits used for
the exclusive powering of communications equipment to be installed without a shield.
https://ieee-sa.imeetcentral.com/p/eAAAAAAASPXvAAAAAGrzyeI
We refer them to the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee for further action, if any.
August 5, 2022
We collaborate closely with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee (IEEE E&H) to negotiate the standard of care for power security on the #SmartCampus since many campus power systems are larger than publicly regulated utilities. Even when they are smaller, the guidance in building the premise wiring system — whether the premise is within a building, outside the building (in which the entire geography of the campus footprint is the premise), is inspired by IEEE Standards Association administrated technical committees.
Northeast Community College | Norfolk, Nebraska
Today we begin a list of noteworthy changes to be understood in the next few Power colloquia. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting.
- New rules 190 through 195 cover photovoltaic generating stations. Rule 116c adds an exception for short lengths of insulated power cables and short-circuit protection if the situation involves fewer than 1,000 volts.
- Rule 320B has been revised to clarify separations that apply to communications and supply in different conduit systems.
- Table 410-4 is based on the latest arc flash testing on live-front transformers.
- Rule 092A adds an exception allowing protection, control, and safety battery systems to not be grounded.
- Rules 234 B1, C1, D1 were revised to better present vertical and horizontal wind clearances, and to coordinate requirements with the new Table 234-7.
- Rule 120A was revised to provide correction factors for clearances on higher elevations.
- Table 253-1 has been revised to reduce the load factor for fiber-reinforced polymer components under wire tension—including dead ends—for Grade C construction.
- Rule 410A now requires a specific radio-frequency safety program for employees who might be exposed.
- In the Clearances section, as well as in the specification of the Grade of Construction in Table 242-1, the Code further clarifies the use of non-hazardous fiber optic cables as telecom providers continue to expand their networks.
- Revisions in the Strength & Loading sections include modified Rule 250C, which addresses extreme wind loading for overhead lines. Two wind maps are now provided instead of the previous single one. A map for Grade B, the highest grade of construction, with a Mean Recurrence Interval (MRI) of 100 years (corresponding to a one percent annual probability of occurrence) is provided in place of the previous 50–90-year MRI map. For Grade C construction, a separate 50-year MRI (two percent annual probability of occurrence) map is now provided. In the previous Code, a factor was applied to the 50–90-year MRI map for application to Grade C.
- Changes were also made to the method of determining the corresponding wind loads, consistent with the latest engineering practices as an example of a Code revision focused on public safety, the ground end of all anchor guys adjacent to regularly traveled pedestrian thoroughfares, such as sidewalks, and similar places where people can be found must include a substantial and conspicuous marker to help prevent accidents. The previous Code did not require the marking of every such anchor guy.
- Significant revisions were made in Section 14 covering batteries. Previous editions of the code were based on lead-acid technology and batteries only used for backup power. The 2023 Code incorporates the new battery technologies and addresses energy storage and backup power.
- A new Section 19 of the code covers photovoltaic generating stations, with sections addressing general codes, location, grounding configurations, vegetation management, DC overcurrent protection, and DC conductors. These new rules accommodate large-scale solar power projects.
- In the Clearances section, all rules for wireless antenna structures have been consolidated in the equipment section (Rule 238 and 239), which makes the Code more user-friendly.
- A new subcommittee was created focusing on generating stations, with the original subcommittee continuing to address substations.
- A working group is investigating Fault Managed Power Systems (FMPS) cables as the technology may be used for 5G networks. The team is looking at possible impacts, including clearances and work rules.
After "slipping a pole" in its revision cadence (owed to the circumstances of the pandemic) the 2023 NESC is rolling out for incorporation by reference into public safety laws relevant to education communities with #WiseCampus ambitions.@ieee_pes @IEEESAhttps://t.co/7EaTBgxa8X pic.twitter.com/jPvZNYzWBi
— IEEECampus (@IEEECampus) August 5, 2022
February 18, 2021
Several proposals recommending improvements to the 2017 National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) were submitted to the IEEE subcommittees drafting the 2022 revision of the NESC. Some of the proposals deal with coordination with the National Electrical Code — which is now in its 2023 revision cycle. Keep in mind that that NESC is revised every 5 years at the moment; the NEC is revised every 3 years.
The original University of Michigan standards advocacy enterprise has been active in writing the NESC since the 2012 edition and set up a workspace for use by electrical professionals in the education industry. We will be using this workspace as the 2022 NESC continues along its developmental path:
The revision schedule — also revised in response to the circumstances of the pandemic — is linked below::
NESC 2023 Edition Revision Schedule*
The NESC is a standing item on the 4-times monthly teleconferences of the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities committee. The next online meeting is shown on the top menu of the IEEE E&H website:
We have a copy of the first draft of the 2023 NESC and welcome anyone to join us for an online examination during any of Power & ICT teleconferences. See our CALENDAR for the next online meeting.
Business unit leaders, facility managers and electrical engineers working in the education facilities industry may be interested in the campus power system reliability database. Forced outages on large research campuses, for example, can have enterprise interruption cost of $100,000 to $1,000,000 per minute. The campus power system forced outage database discriminates between forced outages attributed to public utility interruptions and forced outages attributed to the university-owned power system. The E&H committee will convey some of the discipline applied by the IEEE 1366 technical committee into its study of campus power systems and, ultimately, setting a benchmark for the standard of care for large university power systems.
* The IEEE changed the nominal date of the next edition; likely owed to pandemic-related slowdown typical for most standards developing organizations.
Issue: [16-67]
Contact: Mike Anthony, Robert G. Arno, Lorne Clark, Nehad El-Sharif, Jim Harvey, Kane Howard, Joe Weber, Guiseppe Parise, Jim Murphy
Category: Electrical, Energy Conservation & Management, Occupational Safety
ARCHIVE: University of Michigan Advocacy in the NESC 2007 – 2017
The 2023 National Electrical Safety Code (#NESC) will be published this August. Stay tuned for new resources from #IEEE coming soon! Read about the upcoming changes here:https://t.co/VLXCNaf74S
— IEEE Educational Activities (@IEEEeducation) June 8, 2022
LEARN MORE:
P1366 – Guide for Electric Power Distribution Reliability Indices
University Design Guidelines that reference the National Electrical Safety Code
Natural Gas Transmission & Distribution
Natural gas systems are deeply integrated into educational settlements: providing fuel to district energy plants, hospital backup power systems, hot water systems to residence halls and kitchens to name a few. The American Gas Association catalog is fairly stable; reflected in the relative reliability of the US natural gas distribution network. Still, the door is open for discovering and promulgating best practice; driven largely by harmonization with other standards and inevitable “administrivia”. The current edition of the National Fuel Gas Code (ANSI Z223.1) is dated 2024 and harmonizes with NFPA 54.
Poster showing benefits of gas lighting and heating (Italy, 1902)
Why did WTI Crude oil price crash?
1) Because America’s main WTI oil storage is in Cushing in Oklahoma state. Cushing was at 77% capacity on April 17th. Storage would be full by May 1st week. Cushing is landlockded and 800 km from sea. So storing oil on a ship is not possible. pic.twitter.com/Ye2h8XI3jB
— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) April 22, 2020
Most school districts, colleges, universities and university-affiliated health care systems depend upon a safe and reliable supply of natural gas. Owing to safety principles that have evolved over 100-odd years you hardly notice them. When they fail you see serious drama and destruction.
One of the first names in standards setting for the natural gas industry in the United States is the American Gas Association (AGA) which represents companies delivering natural gas safely, reliably, and in an environmentally responsible way. From the AGA vision statement:
“….(AGA) is committed to leveraging and utilizing America’s abundant, domestic, affordable and clean natural gas to help meet the nation’s energy and environmental needs….”
We do not advocate in natural gas standards at the moment but AGA standards do cross our radar because they assure energy security to the emergent #SmartCampus. We find AGA standards referenced in natural gas service contracts (for large district energy plants, for example) or in construction contracts for new buildings. As with all other energy technological developments we keep pace with, improvements are continual even though those improvements are known to only a small cadre of front line engineers and technicians.
AGA has released seventeen redlines containing proposed changes to one of its parent documents for natural gas delivery” GPTC Z380.1 Guide for Gas Transmission, Distribution, and Gathering Piping Systems. The redlines are listed in the link below:
American Gas Association Standards Public Review Home Page
Public consultation on the 2027 National Fuel Gas Code closes June 4, 2024.
You may obtain an electronic copy from: https://www.aga.org/research/policy/ansi-public-reviews/. Comments should be emailed to Betsy Tansey GPTC@aga.org, Secretary, ASC GPTC Z380. Any questions you may have concerning public reviews please contact Betsy Tansey (btansey@aga.org) as well.
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University of Michigan Central Heating Plant
We meet online every day at 11 AM Eastern time to march through technical specifics of all technical consensus products open for public comment. Feel free to click in. Also, we meet with mechanical engineering experts from both the academic and business side of the global education community once per month. See our CALENDAR for our next Mechanical Engineering monthly teleconference; open to everyone.
Issue: [19-27]
Category: Energy, Mechanical, Risk Management
Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Richard Robben, Larry Spielvogel
Reaction: January 22 Open Meeting
The current full complement of five FERC commissioners is relatively new as of December 23, 2025. The two most recent additions — Chairman Laura V. Swett (term expiring June 30, 2030) and Commissioner David A. LaCerte (term expiring June 30, 2026) — were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2025.
Ω
This restored FERC to its full five members after prior vacancies and transitions earlier in the year. The other commissioners (David Rosner, Lindsay S. See, and Judy W. Chang) have been in place since mid-2024 or earlier, but the current lineup only fully formed about two and a half months ago.
Ω
This followed changes tied to the new administration, including shifts in majority and leadership.
January 22. Issues of interest discussed at the FERC Open Meeting on January 22, 2026, centered primarily on electric sector matters related to generator interconnection reforms, expedited processes for resource adequacy. Our interest lies in the effect of FERC action will have on the utility costs of educational settlements which, of course, practically involves all utilities and how those decisions are reflected in state tariffs.
One issue of particular interest for Michigan: Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) Expedited Resource Addition Study (ERAS) process (Docket No. ER25-2454-002): The Commission addressed arguments on rehearing and sustained its prior July 21, 2025, order approving MISO’s ERAS framework. This provides an expedited interconnection study process for generation projects addressing urgent near-term resource adequacy and reliability needs in the MISO region. Discussions involved balancing reliability concerns (e.g., load growth, resource shortfalls) against claims of undue discrimination or preference in interconnection queuing, as raised by public interest groups. We will see these conclusions reflected in Michigan Public Service Commission action.Other agenda elements likely included routine administrative matters (e.g., A-1 Agency Administrative Matters, A-2 Customer Matters/Reliability/Security/Market Operations) and consent items (often non-controversial electric, gas, hydro, or certificate matters voted en bloc without discussion).
No major presentations were noted, and the meeting focused on these reliability/interconnection and market integrity issues amid broader grid challenges like queue backlogs, rapid load growth, and transitioning resources.The Q&A afterward involved energy media, with emphasis by Laura V. Swett on reliability concerns ahead of likely winter storms. The next public open meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th.
December 18. The public meetings are dominated by administrative procedures and mutual admiration. Technical issues that require in-depth, expert-level understanding of complex laws, rules, guidelines, and precedents beyond surface-level awareness appear deeper into the FERC website. There you will generally find:
- Nuanced interpretation of statutes and agency decisions
- Awareness of historical context and evolving policies
- Insight into how rules interact with technical, economic, and operational realities
- Impacts of changes and navigate compliance strategically
As interest and time allows we can pick through technical specifics regarding FERC oversight of interstate electricity with the IEEE colleagues.
Ω
Ω
Midwest Energy Communications: What’s On a Utility Pole?
Heat Tracing Installation
_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg)
“Vue de toits (effet de neige)” 1878 Gustave Caillebotte
One of the core documents for heat tracing is entering a new 5-year revision cycle; a consensus standard that is especially relevant this time of year because of the personal danger and property damage that is possible in the winter months. Education communities depend upon heat tracing for several reasons; just a few of them listed below:
- Ice damming in roof gutters that can cause failure of roof and gutter structural support
- Piping systems for sprinkler systems and emergency power generation equipment
- Sidewalk, ramp and stairway protection
IEEE 515 Standard for the Testing, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Resistance Trace Heating for Industrial Applications is one of several consensus documents for trace heating technology. Its inspiration originates in the petrochemical industry but its principles apply to all education facilities exposed to cold temperature and snow. From its prospectus:
This standard provides requirements for the testing, design,installation, and maintenance of electrical resistance trace heating in general industries as applied to pipelines, vessels, pre-traced and thermally insulated instrument tubing and piping, and mechanical equipment. The electrical resistance trace heating is in the form of series trace heaters, parallel trace heaters, and surface heating devices. The requirements also include test criteria to determine the suitability of these heating devices utilized in unclassified (ordinary) locations.
Its principles can, and should be applied with respect to other related documents:
National Electrical Code Article 427
NECA 202 Standard for Installing and Maintaining Industrial Heat Tracing Systems
IEC 62395 Electrical resistance trace heating systems for industrial and commercial applications
ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
Lowell House / Harvard University
We are happy to explain the use of this document in design guidelines and/or construction specifications during any of our daily colloquia. We generally find more authoritative voices in collaborations with the IEEE Education & Healthcare Facilities Committee which meets 4 times per month in Europe and in the Americas. We maintain this title on the standing agenda of our Snow & Ice colloquia. See our CALENDER for the next online meeting.
Issue: [18-331]
Colleagues: Mike Anthony, Jim Harvey, Kane Howard
Category: Electrical, #SmartCampus
LEARN MORE:
Good Building Practice for Northern Facilities
Electrical heat tracing: international harmonization-now and in the future
Electrical heat tracing: international harmonization-now and in the future
C. Sandberg
Tyco Thermal Controls
N.R. Rafferty – M. Kleinehanding – J.J. Hernandez
E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Inc
Abstract: In the past, electrical heat tracing has been thought of as a minor addition to plant utilities. Today, it is recognized as a critical subsystem to be monitored and controlled. A marriage between process, mechanical, and electrical engineers must take place to ensure that optimum economic results are produced. The Internet, expert systems, and falling costs of instrumentation will all contribute to more reliable control systems and improved monitoring systems. There is a harmonization between Europe and North America that should facilitate design and installation using common components. The future holds many opportunities to optimize the design.
CLICK HERE to order complete paper
Neonatal Care Units
Today at 16:00 UTC we examine the interaction among several standards catalogs of ANSI accredited, consortia and ad hoc electrotechnology standards developers with respect to governmental regulation of maternity and neonatal care at all levels.
University of Kentucky
Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh | Béal Feirste
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen
Vanderbilt University | Davidson County Tennessee
Stony Brook University New York
Architectural standards for Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are designed to create a safe, efficient, and healing environment for newborns requiring intensive medical care. These standards encompass various aspects, including layout, space requirements, environmental controls, and infection control. Here are the key architectural standards for NICUs:
1. Space Requirements
Single-Patient Rooms: Preferably, NICUs should have single-patient rooms to reduce the risk of infection and provide privacy for families. The recommended size for each room is around 150 square feet.
Open Bay Design: If single-patient rooms are not feasible, open bay designs with a minimum of 120 square feet per infant space should be considered.
Family Areas: Incorporate family zones within or adjacent to the patient care area to support family involvement in care.
2. Environmental Controls
Lighting: Use adjustable lighting to mimic natural day-night cycles. Dimmable and indirect lighting is recommended to reduce stress on infants.
Noise Control: Implement sound-absorbing materials and design to maintain noise levels below 45 decibels. Alarms and other auditory signals should be as non-disruptive as possible.
Temperature and Humidity: Maintain a controlled environment with temperatures between 72-78°F and relative humidity between 30-60% to support the infants’ thermal regulation.
3. Infection Control
Hand Hygiene Facilities: Provide sinks with touchless faucets in each patient room and strategically placed hand sanitizer dispensers.
Air Quality: Use HEPA filtration systems to maintain high air quality and reduce airborne infections. Ensure proper ventilation and air exchange rates.
Surfaces and Materials: Use easily cleanable and antimicrobial surfaces and materials to minimize the risk of infection.
4. Functional Design
Nurse Stations: Design nurse stations to have a clear line of sight to all patient areas. Centralized and decentralized stations can be used depending on the layout.
Equipment and Storage: Include adequate storage space for medical equipment and supplies within close proximity to patient care areas. Ensure equipment is easily accessible yet out of the way to prevent clutter.
Utilities and Support Spaces: Provide adequate space for utilities such as oxygen, medical gases, electrical outlets, and data ports. Support spaces should include areas for medication preparation, clean and dirty utility rooms, and staff break areas.
5. Safety and Accessibility
Emergency Access: Ensure clear and unobstructed pathways for emergency access and equipment transport.
Accessibility: Design the unit to be fully accessible to staff, patients, and families, including those with disabilities. Compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards is essential.
Security: Implement security measures to control access to the NICU, including electronic access control systems and surveillance cameras.
6. Aesthetic and Healing Environment
Color and Decor: Use calming colors and artwork to create a soothing environment. Avoid bright or overly stimulating colors.
Nature Integration: Where possible, incorporate natural elements such as views of nature, indoor plants, and natural light to promote a healing environment.
7. Flexibility and Future Expansion
Modular Design: Use a modular design approach to allow for easy reconfiguration and future expansion of the NICU as needed.
Scalability: Plan for scalable infrastructure to accommodate technological advancements and changing patient care needs.
These architectural standards aim to provide a safe, efficient, and supportive environment for both the infants and their families, while also meeting the operational needs of healthcare providers.
Case Studies:
Neonatal Clinical Outcomes: a Comparative Analysis
Camera-Based Heart Rate Variability for Estimating the Maturity of Neonatal Autonomic Nervous System
Modulation frequency analysis of seizures in neonatal EEG
EEG ‘diarization’ for the description of neonatal brain injuries
List of colleges and universities with extensive neonatal research and clinical facilities:
East Coast
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- Harvard University (Boston, MA)
- Affiliated with Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
- Specialized centers for neonatal intensive care and research.
- Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD)
- Strong neonatal research through the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.
- Columbia University (New York, NY)
- Known for the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and advanced neonatal care.
- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) (Philadelphia, PA)
- Penn Medicine and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) collaborate on neonatal studies.
- Harvard University (Boston, MA)
Midwest
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- University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
- Comer Children’s Hospital focuses on neonatal care and research.
- University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
- The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital has a Level IV NICU and leads neonatal innovation.
- Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
- Affiliated with St. Louis Children’s Hospital for neonatal research.
- University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
South
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- Duke University (Durham, NC)
- Duke Children’s Hospital is known for its neonatal-perinatal research.
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas, TX)
- Conducts cutting-edge neonatal research in partnership with Parkland Hospital.
- Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
- The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital has a strong neonatal program.
- Duke University (Durham, NC)
West Coast
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- Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
- Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital is a leader in neonatal research and care.
- University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) (San Francisco, CA)
- Renowned for its neonatology program and neonatal clinical trials.
- University of Washington (Seattle, WA)
- Affiliated with Seattle Children’s Hospital for neonatal research.
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA)
International
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- University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
- SickKids Hospital is a global leader in neonatal care and research.
- University College London (UCL) (London, UK)
- Neonatal research at Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College Hospital.
- University of Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia)
- Affiliated with the Royal Children’s Hospital and its neonatal programs.
- University of Toronto (Toronto, Canada)
Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care
Some of the common electro-technologies used in a neonatal care unit include:
- Incubators: These temperature-controlled units create a controlled environment to keep premature or sick infants warm and protected.
- Ventilators: Mechanical ventilators assist newborns with respiratory distress by delivering oxygen and helping them breathe.
- Monitors: These devices track vital signs such as heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and temperature to ensure the baby’s health and detect any abnormalities.
- Phototherapy Lights: Special lights are used to treat jaundice in newborns, helping to break down excess bilirubin in the blood.
- Intravenous Pumps: These pumps are used to deliver medications, fluids, and nutrients directly into the baby’s bloodstream.
- Feeding Tubes: For infants who are unable to feed orally, feeding tubes are used to deliver breast milk or formula directly into their stomach.
- Blood Gas Analyzers: These machines measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other gases in a baby’s blood to monitor respiratory status and acid-base balance.
- Infusion Pumps: Used to administer controlled amounts of fluids, medications, or nutrients to newborns.
- CPAP/BiPAP Machines: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) machines help newborns with breathing difficulties by providing a continuous flow of air pressure.
- Neonatal Resuscitation Equipment: This includes equipment such as resuscitation bags, endotracheal tubes, laryngoscopes, and suction devices used during emergency situations to assist with newborn resuscitation.
It’s important to note that specific tools and equipment may vary depending on the level of neonatal care provided by the unit, the needs of the infants, and the policies of the healthcare facility.
Neonatal care, as a specialized field, has been shaped by the contributions of several pioneers in medicine. Here are a few notable figures who have made significant advancements in neonatal care:
- Dr. Virginia Apgar was an American obstetrical anesthesiologist who developed the Apgar score in 1952. The Apgar score is a quick assessment tool used to evaluate the overall health of newborns immediately after birth. It assesses the baby’s heart rate, respiratory effort, muscle tone, reflex irritability, and color, providing valuable information for prompt intervention and monitoring.
- Dr. Martin Couney, a pioneering physician, established incubator exhibits at world fairs and amusement parks in the early 20th century. He promoted the use of incubators to care for premature infants and played a significant role in popularizing the concept of neonatal intensive care.
- Dr. Virginia A. Apgar, an American pediatrician and neonatologist, made significant contributions to the field of neonatology. She specialized in the care of premature infants and conducted extensive research on neonatal resuscitation and newborn health. She also developed the Apgar scoring system, although unrelated to Dr. Virginia Apgar mentioned earlier.
- Dr. Lula O. Lubchenco was an influential researcher and neonatologist who made important contributions to the understanding of newborn growth and development. She developed the Lubchenco Growth Chart, which provides a standardized assessment of a newborn’s size and gestational age, aiding in the identification and monitoring of growth abnormalities.
- Dr. Mary Ellen Avery was a renowned American pediatrician and researcher whose work focused on understanding and treating respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. She identified the importance of surfactant deficiency in RDS and contributed to the development of surfactant replacement therapy, revolutionizing the care of preterm infants.
These individuals, among many others, have played pivotal roles in advancing the field of neonatal care, improving the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and overall outcomes for newborn infants.
IEEE Education & Healthcare Facility Electrotechnology
The De-Population Bomb
February 16, 2024: North Shore Medical Center abruptly closes neo-natal, labor and delivery units
United States National Institute of Health Gene Map
“In 1970, Stanford professor Paul Ehrlich published a famous book, The Population Bomb, in which he described a disastrous future for humanity:
‘The battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970s and 1980s hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon now.’
That prediction turned out to be very wrong, and in this interview American Enterprise Institute scholar Nicholas Eberstadt tells how we are in fact heading toward the opposite problem: not enough people. For decades now, many countries have been unable to sustain a #population replacement birth rate, including in Western Europe, South Korea, Japan, and, most ominously, China. The societal and social impacts of this phenomenon are vast. We discuss those with Eberstadt as well as some strategies to avoid them.”
Out take [35:22]:
“…All right this gets us right to the heart of of your essay and of the matter quoting you yet again the single best predictor for National fertility rates happens to be wanted family size as reported by women now you note there are polls that ask women how many children they’d like and you know that this doesn’t correlate perfectly with birth rates but it’s the best indicator in one sense this is a reassuring even heartening finding it highlights the agency at the very heart of our Humanity…
[“You’re talking about free will there people choosing their family size but if we permit the non-material realm of life to figure into our inquiry we may conclude that proposals to revive the American birth rate through subsidies vastly underestimate the challenge the challenge May ultimately prove to be civilizational in nature”]
okay so I look at first of all that hits like a two by four — civilizational in nature — and on the one hand I think to myself wait a minute aren’t we all supposed to be delighted that in this modern world women are in a position to participate in the workforce they’re in a position to choose more carefully more explicitly more intentionally the number of children they’d like to have aren’t we supposed to believe that that’s a wonderful thing and that releasing that many women to the workforce should increase the dynamism and growth of our [economy]…and all that…good, good, good…”
University of Rochester New York
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwB pic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
— USPTO (@uspto) July 13, 2023
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