Robert Sheffield, CHT and Francois Burman, Pr. Eng.

April 2021

Static electricity is a safety concern in hyperbaric chambers. The National Fire Protection Association Health Care Facilities Code (NFPA 99) contains static control requirements for hyperbaric facilities and grounding requirements for hyperbaric chambers, chamber furniture, and chamber occupants. Hyperbaric Safety Directors should ensure that static control and grounding requirements are met and the continuity of grounding is tested periodically. All members of the hyperbaric team (e.g. physicians, nurses, chamber operators) should have a basic understanding of static electricity and grounding.

Learner Objectives

On completion of this activity, the learner should be able to:

1. Explain accumulation of static charge.
2. Explain the role of humidity and grounding in static control.
3. Identify conductive and insulating materials on a hyperbaric chamber.
4. Explain the function of a multimeter.
5. Explain the function of a wrist strap tester.

Approved Continuing Education

[Nurse] 1.0 contact hours. Provider approved by the California Board of Nursing. Provider number CEP17094.

[CHT] This program has been reviewed and is acceptable for 1.0 Category A credit hour by the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology.

To download a free copy of the article click here: (2021) Static Electricity & Grounding in Hyperbaric Chambers