Do Churches and Nonprofits Need an AED?

What the Law Says

Federal law. The federal law on emergency AED use, 42 U.S.C. § 238q, deals with civil liability (covered below). It states that it does not require that an AED be placed at any building or other location (§ 238q(c)(1)(A)).

State law. AED placement requirements come from state law and sometimes from local codes. We have not found a state law that requires an AED in every house of worship, but this guide does not survey every state and local code. Where a state requires AEDs, the law can cover a kind of place rather than a kind of organization. In Oregon, for example:

• ✓Health clubs (ORS 431A.450): the owner of a health club must have at least one AED on the premises at all times. A health club is an indoor facility whose primary purpose is offering exercise or athletic activities for a fee, with 50 or more employees, patrons or members there on a regular business day. This health club rule does not apply to a facility owned by a hotel (ORS 431A.450(3)).
• ✓Places of public assembly (ORS 431A.455): notwithstanding the hotel exception in ORS 431A.450(3), the owner of a place of public assembly must have at least one AED on the premises. The law covers a single building with 50,000 square feet or more of indoor floor space where the public congregates or business is conducted, and where at least 50 individuals congregate on a normal business day.
• ✓Worship buildings are exempt from that rule: the public assembly requirement does not apply to a building primarily used for worship or education associated with worship (ORS 431A.455(4)).

Neither Oregon section has an exception for nonprofits. If your organization runs a school, child care program, fitness facility, camp or large public building, check your state's rules for that kind of place, and check any local building or fire code. Our AED requirements by state pages are a starting point.

Where to Place the AED

• ✓Put it somewhere central and visible near where people gather, such as the main worship space, fellowship hall or main entrance, not in a locked office.
• ✓Mount it in a wall cabinet or bracket with a sign, so visitors and new volunteers can find it.
• ✓If your campus has several buildings or floors, or you run off-site camps, trips or sports, plan how an AED will reach each of them.
• ✓Tell your local emergency medical services agency where the AED is. Federal immunity for the organization that acquired the AED depends partly on notifying local emergency response personnel of its placement.
• ✓If you run a nursery or children's programs, ask about child pads or a child mode for the model you choose.

Keep It Ready

• ✓Check the AED's status indicator as often as the manufacturer's instructions say, and keep a simple log of each check.
• ✓Pads and batteries have expiration dates. Replace them before they expire, and replace the pads after they are used.
• ✓Federal immunity for the organization that acquired the AED depends partly on properly maintaining and testing it.
• ✓Free AED program: for every AED you register with us, we track its pad and battery expiration dates at no charge. You can add AEDs bought elsewhere, too. Register your AED.