Does a dentist office need a generator as back up power source

[Coastalguy1]

Reading NEC Article 517.25 and other sections I'm trying to determine if a backup generator is required. Thanks for any and all replies.

NEC 517.25 scope lists dental offices explicitly in requiring essential electrical system for health care facilities, and 517.44(A) requires two independent sources of power for essential electrical systems, so a generator is required from understanding.


medical (dental) office: “a building or part thereof in which the following occur: (1) examinations and minor treatments or procedures are performed under the continuous supervision of a medical or dental professional; (2) only sedation or local anesthesia is involved and treatment or procedures do not render the patient incapable of self-preservation under emergency conditions; and (3) overnight stays for patients or 24-hour operation are not provided.”

 

[shortcircuit2]

I'll take a stab at this...they have removed (dental) from the medical office definition in 2020. A dental office usually comes under the Category 3 Space and does not require an Essential Electrical System (EES)...same for 2017 or 2020. An ESS is required for a Category 1 or 2 space. But it may be interpreted that if an invasive procedure is done in a particular room, the governing body {517.45(A)} may require an EES to serve that equipment in that room that supports the procedure. I have seen a battery system go in a procedure room to support equipment for the procedure.

It is interesting to read 517.45(E) where the NEC refers to another NFPA standard (99-2018) for the AHJ.

 

[hbiss]

It is interesting to read 517.45(E) where the NEC refers to another NFPA standard (99-2018) for the AHJ.

Yes.

Informational Note: For information on the need for an essential electrical system, see NFPA 99-2018, Standard for Health Care Facilities.

Guaranteed if you read it normal dentists offices are exempted.

The NFPA probably is trying to get you to fork over more $$$ instead of just putting it in the NEC.

-Hal

 

[Coastalguy1]

I'll take a stab at this...they have removed (dental) from the medical office definition in 2020. A dental office usually comes under the Category 3 Space and does not require an Essential Electrical System (EES)...same for 2017 or 2020. An ESS is required for a Category 1 or 2 space. But it may be interpreted that if an invasive procedure is done in a particular room, the governing body {517.45(A)} may require an EES to serve that equipment in that room that supports the procedure. I have seen a battery system go in a procedure room to support equipment for the procedure.

It is interesting to read 517.45(E) where the NEC refers to another NFPA standard (99-2018) for the AHJ.

Great reply! Thank you. I interpreted same way to provide battery back up power for individual rooms that sedate patients.