Confused By The MOB

[George Stolz]

Man, it's tough finding cutesy titles these days.

I've been working in a medical office building with a dentist, another dentist, and a urologist in different TIs. I was puzzled by a very specific note on the prints in one of the dentist's offices.

Essentially, it boils down to being required to comply with 517.13, but not 517.18. Since patients do not sleep onsite overnight and it's not a critical care area (per the definition of "patient bed location"), then hospital grade receptacles are not required - but since it is a patient care area, then hospital grade MC or EMT are required. Doesn't this seem odd? It seems natural to group hospital grade receptacles with the requirement for a better wiring method to them, doesn't it?

I had previously worked in a hospital, and it was much easier to see where 517 took action over various aspects of the job. This is my first time working in an MOB and it seems that 517 is really hit or miss in this application.

I guess I'm looking for confirmation that the engineer's read on this is correct, and your thoughts on these outlying installations that "sorta" abide by 517. Reading the scope of 517, it might as well say, "The installation shall comfort the installer's conscience, whatever that might entail." :grin:

Thanks,

 

[roger]

George, the engineer is correct, HG receptacles would not be needed in these spaces. HG receptacles are just heavy duty receptacles, there's nothing magic about them.

The redundant grounding is still required and some dental equipment will have a tag on the cord requiring a HG receptacle but that is not the NEC's concern except for 110.3(B)

Roger

 

[muskrat]

Not sure where its at(definitions ?) but it has to do with what kind of proceedures are being done ( invasive) type of anisthetic, etc

 

[Hendrix]

George, the engineer is correct, HG receptacles would not be needed in these spaces. HG receptacles are just heavy duty receptacles, there's nothing magic about them.

The redundant grounding is still required and some dental equipment will have a tag on the cord requiring a HG receptacle but that is not the NEC's concern except for 110.3(B)

Roger

I have seen 15 amp receptacles in a dentists office.

 

[roger]

Not sure where its at(definitions ?) but it has to do with what kind of proceedures are being done ( invasive) type of anisthetic, etc

For where HG receptacles are required see 517.18(B), 517.19(B)(2), and 517.61(C)(2)

Roger

 

[roger]

I have seen 15 amp receptacles in a dentists office.

Which is fine and in areas where HG receptetacles are required they are available in 15 and 20 amp versions.

Roger

 

[Hendrix]

I did not know that.

 

[George Stolz]

Thanks, guys!