When power is interrupted in a healthcare facility, what is the maximum time allowed before restoration by an alternate source?

In healthcare facilities, maintaining continuous power is critical to patient safety and operational efficiency. The correct answer, which indicates a maximum time of 10 seconds before restoration by an alternate source, aligns with established standards for emergency power systems in these environments.

This requirement is based on the need to ensure that essential medical equipment remains operational during power interruptions. Many jurisdictions and accreditation bodies dictate that systems must engage quickly to minimize the risk of adverse outcomes. A delay of no more than 10 seconds ensures that power is restored before potential disruptions can affect patient care and critical operations.

In contrast, other time frames would imply longer gaps in power restoration, which could jeopardize patient safety or lead to the malfunction of vital medical devices. Therefore, the 10-second maximum is designed to provide a balance between system reliability and the urgency of healthcare environments.