---
title: "Medical pendants for operating rooms and ICUs: a planning guide"
url: https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/medical-pendants-planning-guide/
published: 2026-07-16
updated: 2026-10-01
author: Keling Medical export team
---

# Medical pendants for operating rooms and ICUs: a planning guide

How to plan ceiling pendants for operating rooms and ICUs. Electric vs manual pendants, single and double arms, bridge units, outlet counts, loads and ceiling structure.

## Key points

- Pendants bring medical gases, power and data from the ceiling, keeping the floor clear for staff and equipment.
- Choose anaesthesia and surgical pendants for operating rooms; ICU pendants or bridge units for intensive care.
- Count outlets per bed or per role, add spares, and confirm the national gas outlet standard before production.
- The ceiling structure, ceiling height and arm reach decide what can be installed.


Pendants decide how an operating room or ICU works day to day. They hold the anaesthesia machine, monitors and gas outlets where staff need them, and keep cables and hoses off the floor. They are also built to order and fixed to the building, so planning mistakes are expensive to fix later.

## Types of pendant

**Anaesthesia pendants** sit at the head of the operating table and carry the anaesthesia machine, gases and monitoring. The [KL-T7500 Electric Medical Pendant](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t7500-electric-medical-pendant-anesthesia/) is an electric anaesthesia pendant.

**Surgical (equipment) pendants** sit on the surgeon side for electrosurgical units, endoscopy towers and suction. See the [KL-T6100 Electric Medical Pendant](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t6100-electric-medical-pendant/).

**ICU pendants** serve one bed space, with gases, power and a monitor shelf; for example the [KL-T9100 ICU Pendant](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t9100-icu-pendant-economic/).

**Bridge units** span the bed with a dry side and a wet side; see the [KL-T8000 Medical Bridge Suspension Unit](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t8000-medical-bridge-suspension-unit/).

## Electric or manual?

Electric pendants raise and lower equipment with a motor and hold arm positions with brakes, which suits busy theatres. Manual pendants such as the [KL-T7100 Manual Medical Pendant](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t7100-manual-medical-pendant/) cost less and suit ICUs and smaller rooms where positions change less often.

## Count the outlets

List each outlet per pendant, by role:

- **Medical gases:** oxygen, medical air, vacuum, and where used nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, AGSS
- **Electrical sockets,** with national plug type and any isolated or UPS-backed circuits
- **Data and nurse call**
- **Equipment shelves, drawers and rails**

Add spare capacity; equipment lists grow.

## Confirm the gas outlet standard

Gas terminal units are not interchangeable between standards (for example DIN, BS, AFNOR/NF or Ohmeda/DISS). Specify the standard your hospital uses before production. The relevant international standards are **ISO 11197** for medical supply units and **ISO 9170-1** for terminal units.

## Ceiling structure and height

Pendants hang from a steel structure fixed to the slab. You will need:

- slab-to-floor and false-ceiling heights
- the position of beams, ducts and lights
- the load of the pendant plus equipment

Draw the pendants and the surgical light arms on the same reflected ceiling plan so their reach and swing do not collide.

## A planning checklist

1. Room list and role of each pendant
2. Outlet schedule per pendant
3. Gas outlet standard and electrical standard
4. Equipment to carry, with weights
5. Ceiling heights and structure drawings
6. Arm lengths and rotation
7. Electric or manual movement

Send your room list and outlet schedule through the [quote form](https://www.kelingmed.com/contact/#rfq) to receive a pendant proposal. Browse all [medical pendants](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/).


## FAQ

### What is a medical pendant?

A medical pendant (ceiling supply unit) is a ceiling-mounted arm system that holds medical gas outlets, electrical sockets, data ports and equipment shelves close to the patient, instead of on walls or the floor.

### What is the difference between an electric and a manual pendant?

Electric pendants move up and down with motor drives and often have electromagnetic brakes on the arms. Manual pendants are positioned by hand and are simpler and less expensive.

### What is a bridge pendant?

A bridge (beam) unit is a horizontal ceiling-mounted beam that carries a dry side and a wet side, often used in ICUs to separate equipment from gases and give access from both sides of the bed.