When calculating the volume of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) permitted in a single smoke compartment, do I need to include the amount in patient room dispensers?
The short answer to this question is yes; however, there are exceptions. A maximum of 10 gallons (37.8 liters) of ABHR in use (that is, outside a storage cabinet) is allowed in a single smoke compartment. The Joint Commission allows one dispenser per room to be exempt from the volume calculation. This is based on the 2012 edition of the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101-2012), 18/19.3.2.6(6). In a room, an exempted dispenser can have a maximum fluid capacity of 0.32 gallons (1.2 liters). In a suite, an exempted dispenser can have a maximum fluid capacity of 0.53 gallons. You can exempt only one dispenser per room or suite. So, if you have 10 patient rooms in a smoke compartment, and each room has 3 ABHR dispensers, then you can exempt 10 room dispensers from your total ABHR volume.
From February 2012 EC News
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