RNZCGP Foundation Standard 11.6 – Electrical Safety, Body Protected Areas & RCDs
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Last updated: October 2026
Understanding Electrical Safety Requirements in General Practice
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) Foundation Standard includes requirements for electrical safety in general practices, particularly where mains-powered medical equipment is used on patients.
Foundation Standard 11.6 focuses on residual current devices (RCDs) and their use in appropriate patient care environments.
This ClinicCheck and NZ Test Group guide explains the key considerations in plain English and helps practice managers understand when additional electrical protection, inspection or documentation may be required.
What Is a Body Protected Area (BPA)?
A Body Protected Area is a designated patient care space incorporating additional electrical safety measures intended to reduce the risk of electric shock.
AS/NZS 3003 specifies requirements for these installations, including medical-grade 10 mA RCD protection, electrical circuit arrangements, outlet identification and signage.
Not every consultation room automatically requires classification as a BPA. The procedures performed, the equipment used and how that equipment interacts with patients are important considerations.
When Might a Practice Need a BPA?
The RNZCGP guidance identifies the use of mains-powered medical equipment on patients as a key consideration when determining whether a designated BPA is required.
Treatment rooms where electrically powered medical devices are used on patients may require additional protection.
Consultation rooms containing electric examination beds may be treated differently where they are not classified as treatment areas.
The College recommends documenting the reasons for this decision in the practice's health and safety procedures.
Practices should assess individual rooms rather than assuming that every room has identical requirements.
Understanding RCD Protection
A residual current device is an electrical safety device designed to disconnect power when an earth leakage fault is detected.
In designated Body Protected Areas, AS/NZS 3003 specifies medical-grade 10 mA RCD protection and associated installation requirements.
A portable RCD should not automatically be considered an acceptable substitute for a properly designed and certified BPA installation.
The RNZCGP guidance also calls for six-monthly in-house RCD checks, with records of the date, person performing the check and result.
ClinicCheck / NZ Test Group recommends monthly push-button functional checks as an additional precaution, particularly in Body Protected Areas.
These routine push-button checks are separate from the annual inspection and verification of Body Protected Areas under AS/NZS 3003.
Annual BPA verification includes assessment of the electrical safety arrangements, RCD protection and associated compliance requirements. This work must be undertaken by appropriately qualified and authorised electrical personnel in accordance with the applicable standards and regulations.
Inspections, Testing and Compliance Records
Electrical safety compliance involves more than simply having an RCD installed.
Depending on the installation and equipment involved, practices may need records covering BPA inspections, RCD checks, electrical installation certification and medical equipment verification.
New or modified BPA electrical installations require appropriately authorised electrical workers and inspection under the applicable requirements.
Medical electrical equipment should also be assessed under the relevant requirements of AS/NZS 3551.
What If a Practice Does Not Have a BPA?
The RNZCGP recognises that some practices may need to transition from existing arrangements to compliant Body Protected Areas.
Where a BPA is required but has not yet been installed, the College recommends a documented transition plan.
This should identify the risks, planned improvements, responsibilities, budget and realistic timeframe for completing the work.
A transition plan helps demonstrate that the practice is actively addressing the issue, but it should not be treated as a replacement for applicable legal requirements.
RNZCGP Foundation Standard Resources
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners provides several resources to help practices understand and assess their electrical safety arrangements.
These original RNZCGP resources provide more detailed guidance and supporting documentation.
Further Information – NZ Test Group Knowledge Library
For additional plain-English explanations, explore our related NZTG guides:
These resources provide further explanations and links to relevant legislation, standards and official guidance.
This information is provided as general guidance and does not replace the RNZCGP Foundation Standard, applicable electrical standards, legislation or professional assessment of individual healthcare environments.
Need Help With Electrical Safety in Your Practice?
ClinicCheck – Medical Equipment Testing & Compliance
ClinicCheck provides medical equipment testing, verification and compliance solutions as part of NZ Test Group.
If you're unsure about medical equipment verification, patient area requirements or electrical safety arrangements in your practice, talk to our team.