Article 210.8(B)(5)

[north star]

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In Article 210.8(B)5), it is required to have GFCI protection
of receptacles installed within 6 ft. of the outside edge of a sink / lav.

Exception #2 to Article 210.8(B)(5) says that" "For receptacles located
in patient care areas of health care facilities other than those covered
under 210.8(B)(1), GFCI protection shall not be required."

In this Article, the Exception overrides the general rule.....Is there a
an Article or section in the NEC similar to the one in the IBC where,
" ...where there are conflicts between standards, the more
restrictive shall apply?"

Does Article 210.8(B)(5) override Exception # 2 because it is
more restrictive, ...or was this Exception allowed specifically for
sinks / lavs. in Patient Care areas and their close proximity to required
receptacles ?

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[George Stolz]

An exception is by definition an override to a rule. I don't understand the question.

 

[taylorp]

* * * *
In Article 210.8(B)5), it is required to have GFCI protection
of receptacles installed within 6 ft. of the outside edge of a sink / lav.

Exception #2 to Article 210.8(B)(5) says that" "For receptacles located
in patient care areas of health care facilities other than those covered
under 210.8(B)(1), GFCI protection shall not be required."

In this Article, the Exception overrides the general rule.....Is there a
an Article or section in the NEC similar to the one in the IBC where,
" ...where there are conflicts between standards, the more
restrictive shall apply?"

Does Article 210.8(B)(5) override Exception # 2 because it is
more restrictive, ...or was this Exception allowed specifically for
sinks / lavs. in Patient Care areas and their close proximity to required
receptacles ?

* * * *

I am not sure where you are going. Exceptions are generally permissive rules in the NEC which allow you to have an option or use an alternative method. In the section you have quoted, I do not see a contradiction. Maybe someone else might.

No exceptions in the NEC "override" another rule that I know of.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I read that exception as saying that in Health Care areas around the sink no gfci is required however, in the bathroom of the health care area it still must have GFCI protection.

 

[north star]

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I have a hospital Patient Care area that is being remodeled, and the Patient
Care Area receptacles around the bed are within the 6 ft. dimension.....The
receptacles that would normally be GFCI rated are now, "NOT" because of
the Exception #2.....What I am trying to ask is, ...should all receptacles
within the 6 ft. dimension be GFCI rated, regardless of the location ( i.e. -
around Patient Care areas ) ?.....Which "requirement" has the greater
priority, ...GFCI protection or Patient Care Area receptacles ?

Thank you for your input!

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[raider1]

* * * *
I have a hospital Patient Care area that is being remodeled, and the Patient
Care Area receptacles around the bed are within the 6 ft. dimension.....The
receptacles that would normally be GFCI rated are now, "NOT" because of
the Exception #2.....What I am trying to ask is, ...should all receptacles
within the 6 ft. dimension be GFCI rated, regardless of the location ( i.e. -
around Patient Care areas ) ?.....Which "requirement" has the greater
priority, ...GFCI protection or Patient Care Area receptacles ?

Thank you for your input!

* * * *

The exception should govern in your situation. No GFCI protection is needed for receptacles within 6' of a sink in a patient bed location of a hospital. This exception is in the NEC so that life support equipment won't need to be plugged into a GFCI protected circuit in a hospital.

Now keep in mind that the exception was modified in the 2011 NEC so that it only applies to patient bed locations and not to general patient care areas. This was to clarify that sinks in dental offices and standard medical office exam rooms that are not defined as patient bed locations are required to be GFCI protected.

Chris

 

[north star]

* * * *
Thanks Chris for the clarification!...I should have specified that I am
referencing the 2008 NEC, and that the area of concern is indeed, in the
Patient Care Areas, ...around the patient beds.

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