616.1 For new acute care hospital buildings submitted

the effective date of this code, the hospital shall have an on- site water supply sufficient to operate essential hospital util- ities and equipment in the acute care hospital building, to support 72 hours of continuing operation in the event of an emergency. Any general acute care hospital in operation after January 1, 2030 shall have an on-site water supply sufficient to operate essential hospital utilities and equipment in the acute care hospital buildings on the campus with an SPC-3, SPC-4, SPC 4D, or SPC-5 rating, to support 72 hours of con- tinuing operation in the event of an emergency. See also Cal- ifornia Building Code, Part 2, Section 1617A.1.40.

The emergency water storage capacity shall be computed based on an approved Water Conservation/Water Rationing Plan to provide for 72 hours of operation, accepted by the licensing agency. For acute care hospital facilities or build- ings required to meet NPC-5, on-site water supply of not less than 150 gallons [567.9 L] [based on 50 gallons/day/bed for 72 hours] of potable water per licensed bed shall be provided. In no event shall the campus on-site water storage capacity be less than one tank with at least 5,000 gallons capacity.

The emergency supply shall have fittings to allow for replenishment of the water supply from transportable water sources and a means to dispense water to portable containers in the event that normal water supply becomes unavailable.

Exception: With the approval of the Office and the licensing agency, hook-ups that allow for the use of transportable sources of potable water may be provided in lieu of 72 hours of on-site storage if a minimum onsite water supply of potable and industrial water is provided, sufficient to support 24 hours of operation, without replenishment based on the hospital’s approved Water Conservation/Water Rationing plan. In no event shall the on-site water storage capacity be less than one tank with at least 5,000 gallons capacity. This emergency sup- ply tank shall have fittings to allow for replenishment of the water supply from transportable water sources and a means to dispense water to portable containers in the event that nor- mal water supply becomes unavailable.