When an existing patient area is found to be non-compliant, the next step is not to replace everything by default. The priority is to establish what is wrong, what needs to be upgraded and how the completed work will be verified.
GAP Industries provides Body Protected Electrical Area Testing services for healthcare facilities, including testing, certification and retrofit of existing non-compliant patient areas to meet the current AS3003 standard.
Why Assessment Comes Before an AS3003 Upgrade
GAP’s published retrofit process starts with initial evaluation and testing. This matters because the scope of work should be based on the condition of the existing installation rather than assumptions about what needs replacing.
Testing allows the team to identify areas requiring improvement before rectification begins. GAP’s Body Area Testing includes assessment against AS/NZS 3003:2018 requirements, including insulation integrity and grounding systems.
For a facility manager or project team, this creates a clear starting point: identify the issues first, then define the upgrade.
How to Upgrade a Non-Compliant Patient Area
GAP outlines four stages for retrofitting an existing non-compliant patient area:
Initial evaluation and testing
Upgrade of outdated or non-compliant systems
Installation of compliant medical-grade equipment
Final testing and certification
Each stage has a specific purpose. The assessment establishes the condition of the area. The retrofit addresses the issues that have been identified. Final testing then verifies the completed work before certification.
This approach is particularly relevant to existing healthcare facilities where the objective is to upgrade an established patient area rather than start with a completely new installation.
Can an Existing Patient Area Be Retrofitted?
Yes. GAP specifically includes the retrofit of existing non-compliant patient areas to meet the current AS3003 standard within its Body Protected Electrical Area services.
The extent of the work is determined by the findings of the initial assessment. Where outdated or non-compliant systems are identified, the required upgrades can be completed and compliant medical-grade equipment installed where necessary.
This makes the retrofit a defined process based on the condition of the existing installation, rather than a generic electrical refurbishment.
What Happens After the AS3003 Upgrade?
Once the identified work has been completed, GAP performs final testing and certification.
This closes the loop between the original assessment and the completed rectification work. The objective is not simply to finish the electrical works, but to take the patient area through a clear process of assessment, upgrade, verification and certification.
Healthcare facilities that have identified a non-compliant patient area can review GAP Industries’ Body Protected Electrical Area Testing service for further information about its retrofit, testing and certification capabilities.
