The particular requirements of IEC 60364-7-710 apply to electrical installations in medical locations so as to provide safety of patients and medical staff. These requirements refer to:
— hospitals and clinics or equivalent institutions (including equivalent transportable and mobile locations),
which, subject to assessment (710.30), can also include:
— sanatoriums and health clinics,
— dedicated locations in homes for senior citizens and aged care homes, where patients receive medical care,
— medical centres, outpatients' clinics and departments, casualty wards,
— other outpatients' institutions (industrial, sports and others),
— medical and dental practices,
— dedicated medical rooms in the workplace,
— other locations where medical electrical equipment is used,
— veterinary clinics,
— rooms in existing installations where a change of utilisation for medical applications occur.
This list is not exhaustive. The requirements of IEC 60364 -7-710 do not apply to ME equipment or ME systems. Medical ME equipment and ME systems are covered by IEC 60601 (all parts).
In the USA, the requirements of NFPA 70®, National Electrical Code® in general and specifically article 517 (Healthcare Facilities) apply. IEC 60364-7-710:2021 text has been approved in Europe as HD 60364-7-710:2025 without any changes.
