517.33(A)(9) ? needed for effective hospital operation

[MEP_PM]

517.33(A)(9) ? needed for effective hospital operation

I was reviewing drawings today and noticed several lighting and cubical circuits in a loading dock/receiving/storage area are on critical power. 517.33 is very detailed on what is allow (1)-(8) and then (9) opens the door with a vague statement. ?? needed for effective hospital operation?

So my question, do you consider a receiving/storage area as ?? needed for effective hospital operation??

 

[RB1]

The basic rule of 517.33(A) describes the list items as "the following areas and functions related to patient care". It appears to be a stretch to consider receptacles at the loading dock being related to patient care.

 

[roger]

The basic rule of 517.33(A) describes the list items as "the following areas and functions related to patient care". It appears to be a stretch to consider receptacles at the loading dock being related to patient care.

RB, when we read "the following areas" we could stop there because of the use of the next word being "and", at that point we would consider "functions related to patient care", the word "and" would seperate two individual thoughts.

The "following areas" would include 517.33(A)(9). In hospitals the receiving area is an essential part of a hospitals ability to function and must continue running even in a loss of normal power event.

Roger

 

[RB1]

Rodger,

When it says "the following areas", where is the loading dock mentioned? The list items include both areas and functions. I have no problem considering these separate ideas. In any case neither concept list the loading dock. Perhaps vending machines are necessary for effective hospital operation. Why couldn't these receptacles be supplied from the equipment branch? The more loads that are placed on the critical branch the less reliable the branch becomes.

 

[RB1]

Rodger,

I am going to back-up on the "areas" and "functions related to patient care" being separate ideas. The definition of the critical branch in 517.2 includes the exact same language. The "and" does not necessarily separate the two thoughts. It could be used to conjoin them. The subject being "selected receptacles", the modifier being "areas and functions related to patient care". If you separate the ideas, as you suggest, the code could be read "special power circuits, and selected receptacles serving areas". This appears to be a fragmented concept. What areas are they talking about? If it is any "area" without modification, there is no rationale for the rule in the first place.

 

[roger]

Rodger,

When it says "the following areas", where is the loading dock mentioned?

It would be covered in (9), Go back through the list and see if you can find where Data systems are specifically mentioned, (don't confuse this with Telephone rooms and closets) Data would be another function covered in (9)

The list items include both areas and functions.

Yes it does

I have no problem considering these separate ideas. In any case neither concept list the loading dock.

Nor is Data systems mentioned

Perhaps vending machines are necessary for effective hospital operation.

If they are Pixis machines they would be

Why couldn't these receptacles be supplied from the equipment branch?

They possibly could be but, that would be up to the designer and the rulles governing the hospital as to the way it classifies areas and functional neccessities. The designer and hospital administration may decide the loading dock can not be fed from a load shed transfer switch.

The more loads that are placed on the critical branch the less reliable the branch becomes.

Depends on the size of the generators. I'm involved with a medium size facility that is supplied by (2) 1500 KW generators that can not even be tested at 30% of the generators rated load and is needing additional loading to keep the engines from wet stacking.

Regardless, many hospitals have off site laundry facilities and there are strict rules as to how many days of bed changes and patient wardrobe that they must have on site, these come and go from loading docks. We must also consider food, drugs, medical equipment, etc.... that must continue to be delivered in a long term outage.

Roger

 

[RB1]

So any load designated by the facility administrator is permitted to be supplied from the critical branch?

 

[DanZ]

So any load designated by the facility administrator is permitted to be supplied from the critical branch?

As long as you can show that you can supply enough power to keep all the other items listed in 1-8 running, yes. You may have to make that argument with the AHJ, but being a hospital, it shouldn't be too hard to convince them that more than egress lighting is needed in the ER waiting room, or vending machines are needed to supply much needed sugar and caffeine to overworked doctors and nurses in the event of a black out. It may need a letter from the hospital board saying they feel it is necessary.

One last thing, if you can, don't put the generator's in the basement. It works great when it's just a power outage from snow or ice, or downed lines, but when it floods, they don't work so well. :grin:

 

[roger]

So any load designated by the facility administrator is permitted to be supplied from the critical branch?

Excluding what has to be on the Life Safety Branch and large pieces of equipment, it's as Dan says, the answer is pretty much yes if the administration deems the circuits necessary for the facility to function during a loss of normal power.

Roger