---
title: "Operating room equipment checklist for new and refurbished theatres"
url: https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/operating-room-equipment-checklist/
published: 2026-09-10
updated: 2026-10-09
author: Keling Medical export team
---

# Operating room equipment checklist for new and refurbished theatres

A practical operating room equipment checklist covering lighting, tables, pendants, anaesthesia, suction, trolleys, imaging support and furniture, with planning notes for each.

## Key points

- Plan the operating room around the table, the lights and the pendants first; everything else fits around them.
- Put every ceiling-mounted item on one reflected ceiling plan to avoid collisions.
- Record voltages, gas standards and plug types once, and use them for every item.
- Buying from one manufacturer reduces interface risk and simplifies documentation for tenders.


New theatres are planned by architects and engineers, but they are equipped by procurement teams working from long lists. This checklist groups operating room equipment by function, with the questions to settle for each. Use it alongside your national health building guidance.

## 1. Positioning: the operating table

- Electro-hydraulic, full electric or manual hydraulic? See the [operating table buying guide](https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/operating-table-buying-guide/).
- Radiolucent top for C-arm use?
- Accessories per specialty: arm boards, leg holders, anaesthesia screen, traction frame.

Example: [KL-D-III-I Electric Operating Table](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/operating-tables/kl-d-iii-i-electric-operating-table/).

## 2. Lighting: surgical lights

- Double dome for general theatres; check lux, Ra and R9, depth of illumination.
- Endo mode for laparoscopy; camera for teaching.
- Mobile backup light. See [how to choose an LED surgical light](https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/how-to-choose-an-led-surgical-light/).

Example: [KL-LED-STZ5 Ceiling-Mounted LED Shadowless Operating Lamp](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/surgical-lights/kl-led-stz5-ceiling-mounted-led-shadowless-operating-lamp/).

## 3. Ceiling supply: pendants

- Anaesthesia pendant at the head; surgical pendant on the equipment side.
- Outlet schedule and gas outlet standard.
- See the [pendant planning guide](https://www.kelingmed.com/blog/medical-pendants-planning-guide/).

Example: [KL-T7500 Electric Medical Pendant](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-pendants/kl-t7500-electric-medical-pendant-anesthesia/).

## 4. Anaesthesia area

- Anaesthesia machine and monitor (usually on the pendant).
- Anaesthesia trolley with drawers: [KL-TC044 Anesthesia Trolley](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-trolleys/kl-tc044-anesthesia-trolley/).

## 5. Suction

- Pipeline suction on the pendant plus a mobile electric unit as backup: [DFX-23C-I Electric Suction Machine](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/suction-machines/dfx-23c-i-electric-suction-machine/).

## 6. Instruments and sterile field

- Instrument trolley: [KL-TC038 Instrument Trolley](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-trolleys/kl-tc038-instrument-trolley/)
- Mayo trolleys: [KL-TC048 Mayo Trolley](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-trolleys/kl-tc048-mayo-trolley/)
- Kick buckets and bowl stands: [KL-TC073 Kick Bucket](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/medical-trolleys/kl-tc073-kick-bucket/)

## 7. Imaging support

- X-ray film viewer or wall display: [X-LED Series X-Ray Film Viewer](https://www.kelingmed.com/products/hospital-furniture/x-led-series-x-ray-film-viewer/).

## 8. Furniture and logistics

- Surgeon stools, step stools, linen and waste trolleys, storage cabinets.

## 9. Before you order

- One **reflected ceiling plan** with lights, pendants and their arm reach.
- One **schedule of voltages, plug types and gas standards**.
- One **equipment list** with model, quantity and room.

Keling Medical makes most of the items on this list in one factory, which makes it simpler to check interfaces and to assemble tender documents. See the [operating theatre package](https://www.kelingmed.com/projects/operating-theatre-equipment-package/) or [send your room list](https://www.kelingmed.com/contact/#rfq).


## FAQ

### What equipment is needed in an operating room?

A typical operating room needs an operating table, ceiling surgical lights, anaesthesia and surgical pendants, an anaesthesia machine and monitoring, suction, instrument and Mayo trolleys, an anaesthesia trolley, waste and linen handling, and a film viewer or display for images.

### How big should an operating room be?

Many guidelines recommend around 36 m² or more for a general operating room, and larger rooms for orthopaedic, cardiac or hybrid surgery. Check your national health building guidance.