Article 517.30(B)(2) Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals

[stevebea]

States " Emergency Systems. The emergency system shall be limited to circuits essential to life safety and critical patient care. These are designated the life safety branch and the critical branch. " But yet a hospital I do work at there are numerous receptacales in corridors on the critical branch that are used for nothing more than floor scrubbers. :?

 

[roger]

Although I think they should be on the Equipment System an argument could be made that these receptacles may be used for overflow in a catastrophic event.

Roger

 

[stevebea]

Although I think they should be on the Equipment System an argument could be made that these receptacles may be used for overflow in a catastrophic event.

Roger

I'll buy that argument Roger. Even an IV pole usually has a patient monitor mounted on it that requires 120 volt.

 

[steve66]

I thought there was an actual code paragraph that either required, or at least "suggested" corridor receptacles should be on the critical branch.

As odd as it seems, I frequently see patients laying in beds or carts temporarly parked in the corridor. I think they are usually on their way to surgery, therapy, or xray, etc.

 

[stevebea]

I thought there was an actual code paragraph that either required, or at least "suggested" corridor receptacles should be on the critical branch.

As odd as it seems, I frequently see patients laying in beds or carts temporarly parked in the corridor. I think they are usually on their way to surgery, therapy, or xray, etc.

Could it possibly be in NFPA 99?

 

[jim dungar]

NFPA99 A.4.4.2.2.2.3(9) talks about the selected critical branch power circuits being needed for effective operation of the facility. The handbook describes the need to supply 'receptacles for routine functions'.

During a natural disaster every available square inch of floor space, especially ground floor and ER areas, may be used for patient care and triage.

 

[steve66]

I thought there was an actual code paragraph that either required, or at least "suggested" corridor receptacles should be on the critical branch.

As odd as it seems, I frequently see patients laying in beds or carts temporarly parked in the corridor. I think they are usually on their way to surgery, therapy, or xray, etc.

I was starting to think I only imagined that, but I finally found what I remembered seeing, and it wasn't quite like I remembered.

Its in the Illinois IDPH rules and regulations, so it only applies in Illinois. It just says that corridor receptacles shall be placed on the emergency system. So putting them on the equipment system like Ron suggested would comply.

 

[stevebea]

I was starting to think I only imagined that, but I finally found what I remembered seeing, and it wasn't quite like I remembered.

Its in the Illinois IDPH rules and regulations, so it only applies in Illinois. It just says that corridor receptacles shall be placed on the emergency system. So putting them on the equipment system like Ron suggested would comply.

After rereading 517.30(B)(3) its my understanding corridor receptcales would be on the critical branch, not the equipment branch.

 

[steve66]

After rereading 517.30(B)(3) its my understanding corridor receptcales would be on the critical branch, not the equipment branch.

That says the equipment system shall supply major equipment, but it doesn't say the equipment system can't serve other items.