Birthing Center

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KMOORE001

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Hutto Texas
I am designing a birthing center. It is considered a commerical project. I beilieve that with peiople sleeping over night the rooms that are serving as the birthing room and sleeping room should be protected by arc fault breakers. I would like other opinions.
 
Its hard to say without knowing more (at least for me.) However, you could be right. I don't see any reason why you can't have a commercial dwelling unit.

I also think you might have a health care occupancy.

Steve
 
If they don't have provisions for cooking, and I suspect they won't, then it is not a dwelling unit, and AFCI requirements would not apply. You can certainly add AFCI breakers, if you think it will enhance safety, and if the owner is willing to pay the extra costs. But the NEC would not require them.
 
birthing center

birthing center

There is a general assembly area for cooking with a residential grade kitchen. There is no prescriptions or any type of medicine dispensed at this facility. It is a mid wife type of building with a maximum of 3 patients at a time and is 4000 square foot total. All pain is dealt with by soaking in a large tub. ( I am glad I am not a women).
 
I didn't think about the cooking part. So I have to agree with Charlie - its not a dwelling.

And usually, for a dwelling, the cooking and sleeping areas have to be combined in one "unit". A common kitchen with separate sleeping areas would not normally be considered a dwelling unit.

Again, its hard to comment without knowing more, but it screams "healthcare" to me. In one post, you have mentioned "patients", midwives (health care professionals?), and pain treatment. I think it would be hard to claim these women aren't recieving medical care. And even harder to believe the babies won't be getting some basic health care at that facility.
Steve
 
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