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NFPA 99, Chapter 3-4.1.1.15
A remote annunciator, storage battery powered, shall be provided to operate outside of the generating room in a location readily observed by operating personnel at a regular work station. The annunciator shall indicate alarm conditions of the emergency or auxiliary power source as follows:
(a) Individual visual signals shall indicate:
1. When the emergency power source is operating to supply power to load
2. When the battery charger is malfunctioning.
(b) Individual visual signals plus a common audible signal to warn of an engine-generator alarm condition shall indicate the following:
1. Low lubricating oil pressure
2. Low water temperature (below those required in 3-4.1.1.9)
3. Excessive water temperature
4. Low fuel - when the main fuel storage tank contains less than a 3-hour operating supply
5. Over crank (failed to start)
6. Overspeed

Where a regular workstation will be unattended periodically, an audible and visual derangement signal, appropriately labeled, shall be established at a continuously monitored location. This derangement signal shall activate when any of the conditions in 3-4.1.1.15(a) and (b) occur, but need not display these conditions individually.

Based on observation and interview the facility failed to maintain their generator as evidenced by not having a device indicating trouble, located outside the generator room readily observed by personel. This failure affected 5 of 5 smoke compartments and had the potential to delay staff in the notification of a malfunction of the generator leaving the facility without an emergency power source.

Findings:

During an Entity Reported Incident investigation with facility staff, on January 13, 2012, the generator operating room was observed.

At 1:47 p.m., Staff 4 and Staff 5 were asked if the facility had a remote annunciator, and both staff stated there was no annunciator, however if they experienced a power outage their procedure was to walk to 8 of 8 generators until the trouble was located. During observation of the generator room and the facility, there was no remote annunciator observed.

NFPA 99, Chapter 3-4.1.1.15
A remote annunciator, storage battery powered, shall be provided to operate outside of the generating room in a location readily observed by operating personnel at a regular work station. The annunciator shall indicate alarm conditions of the emergency or auxiliary power source as follows:
(a) Individual visual signals shall indicate:
1. When the emergency power source is operating to supply power to load
2. When the battery charger is malfunctioning.
(b) Individual visual signals plus a common audible signal to warn of an engine-generator alarm condition shall indicate the following:
1. Low lubricating oil pressure
2. Low water temperature (below those required in 3-4.1.1.9)
3. Excessive water temperature
4. Low fuel - when the main fuel storage tank contains less than a 3-hour operating supply
5. Over crank (failed to start)
6. Overspeed

Where a regular workstation will be unattended periodically, an audible and visual derangement signal, appropriately labeled, shall be established at a continuously monitored location. This derangement signal shall activate when any of the conditions in 3-4.1.1.15(a) and (b) occur, but need not display these conditions individually.

Based on observation and interview the facility failed to maintain their generator as evidenced by not having a device indicating trouble, located outside the generator room readily observed by personel. This failure affected 5 of 5 smoke compartments and had the potential to delay staff in the notification of a malfunction of the generator leaving the facility without an emergency power source.

Findings:

During an Entity Reported Incident investigation with facility staff, on January 13, 2012, the generator operating room was observed.

At 1:47 p.m., Staff 4 and Staff 5 were asked if the facility had a remote annunciator, and both staff stated there was no annunciator, however if they experienced a power outage their procedure was to walk to 8 of 8 generators until the trouble was located. During observation of the generator room and the facility, there was no remote annunciator observed.