How have other facilities been addressing the Medical Plume Evacuation requirements of 2012 NFPA 99 Section 9.3.9 in existing facilities that use lasers or cauterizing equipment that produces smoke? Creation of a dedicated exhaust system or a HEPA filter connection into the return air system is not always feasible in older facilities, and it is my understanding that some of the stand alone smoke evacuation systems being marketed do not chemically or thermally sterilize the plume. I understand that modification to the code section is being considered for a future edition of NFPA 99, but since CMS does not frequently update their reference code, we may be living with the 2012 edition for a few years.
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Daniel Conwell AIA
Director - Planning, Architecture & Design
Sutter Health, Sacramento CA
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