📐 Free Planning Tool · 3-Minute Coverage Model
How Many AEDs Does Your
Building Need?
- Based on practical placement logic
- Buyer-friendly estimate
- Works for schools, offices, gyms, hotels, churches
- Use alongside local requirements
⚡ Why It Matters
Why AED distance matters more than ownership
⚡
The 7–10% rule
Survival drops 7–10% per minute without defibrillation (AHA Guidelines 2023). At 6 minutes the math is no longer in your favor.
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3-minute round trip
Time to recognize collapse + walk to AED + return + apply pads. 3 minutes is the standard from AHA, NATA, and OSHA Publication 3185.
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One per floor minimum
Multi-floor buildings need vertical coverage too. Stairs and elevators add 30–90 seconds — usually enough to break the 3-minute rule.
⚠️ Mistakes
Common AED placement mistakes
Mounting in the security office
Visible, locked, and unstaffed at night. The AED needs to be accessible — not protected. Public-access mounts with alarmed cabinets serve both goals.
One AED for a multi-floor building
Even at 30,000 sq ft, vertical movement breaks the 3-minute rule. Plan one per floor minimum for office, hotel, and school buildings.
Skipping the gym / athletic field
The highest-exertion zone is where most workplace SCAs occur. Athletic facilities need their own dedicated AED even if they're "small."
Detached buildings sharing one AED
If the runner has to leave a building to retrieve the device, you've already lost the race. Each detached structure needs its own.
🤝 Need More Help?
When to bring in AED program management
📋
AED Total Solution — Fleet Management
Authorized U.S. distributor. Bundled packages with cabinet + signage.
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AED Leader — Shop AED Packages
Authorized U.S. distributor. Full warranty, authentic pads + batteries, cabinet + signage kits available.
❓ FAQ
Common questions about AED quantity planning
How is the AED count calculated?
The tool uses the AHA 3-minute round-trip response standard plus facility-specific factors: floors, square footage, occupancy, and high-risk zones. Best-practice count includes a buffer for detached buildings and high-exertion areas.
Is this an official compliance tool?
No. This is an educational planning tool. Many state and municipal codes set specific AED quantity and placement requirements — always verify with local authorities and a licensed safety consultant for compliance certification.
What if I need 5 or more AEDs?
At 5+ units we recommend professional program management. AED Total Solution provides fleet inspection, recall alerts, and compliance tracking at scale.
Do I really need an AED in every gym?
Yes. SCA risk is up to 17× higher during vigorous exertion (NEJM 2000). Nine U.S. states already mandate AEDs in fitness facilities. Even in non-mandating states, the liability calculus strongly favors having one.