Why We Need a Wet Location Risk Assessment
Recently, several centers have reached out asking about assessing their Operating Rooms and Procedure Rooms for safety, specifically Wet Location Risk. Fire Marshals ask for Wet Location Risk Assessments during Life Safety visits, and not all facilities have a completed assessment on file, or they don’t understand what is being requested.
What the Assessment Means:
Operating Rooms combine two things that don’t mix well—fluids and electricity. Irrigation, IV fluids, cleaning solutions, or even small spills increase the risk of electrical shock or fire if they come in contact with powered surgical equipment. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 99 considers all operating rooms a “wet location” unless a Wet Location Risk Assessment determines it is not. Safety rules require every facility to perform a Wet Location Risk Assessment for each operating room to determine the level of risk.
- If the OR is classified as a wet location: extra electrical protection must be in place (special outlets, breakers, or isolated power systems).
- If the OR is not classified as a wet location: The facility must document why, showing that the risk is low and staff are trained to manage fluids safely.
Why It’s Required:
- Patient & Staff Protection – The primary goal is safety. No patient should face added risk of electrocution during surgery, and no staff member should be exposed to shock hazards while working.
- Code Compliance – NFPA 99 requires facilities to determine whether ORs should be considered wet procedure locations. If they are, additional protections must be installed; if not, documentation must support the decision.
- Fire Marshal Oversight – Fire Marshals enforce fire and life safety codes. They look for the assessment to confirm that each facility has identified the risk and addressed it—whether through protective systems or documented analysis.
What You Should Do:
All ASCs should complete a Wet Location Risk Assessment for each operating room and keep it on file with Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness documentation. The assessment should be conducted by a team of people who will provide care in the space. These risk assessments aren’t just paperwork—they’re how you show the ORs have been evaluated for risk and that the right safeguards are in place to protect both patients and staff.
If you determine that your Operating Rooms and/or Procedure Rooms are potentially “wet locations”, it is important to ensure that the appropriate electrical safeguards are in place to reduce that risk. If not a wet location, make sure your reasoning for that decision is clearly documented.
There are several Risk Assessments available:
- You can find our assessment tool in our library: ASC Solutions Library
- ASHE also offers an assessment tool: ASHE Wet Locations Tool Form
Don’t forget—annual electrical receptacle safety checks help verify that outlets and safety systems are working properly, ensuring continued safety for patients, staff, and the surgical environment. Be sure yours are up to date.