Dormitory electric dryers

[lielec11]

Since dorms are not considered dwelling units, can we still apply the factors in Table 220.54 to common area dryers in a dormitory? I have 14 dryers and trying to find the proper demand factors.

Thanks.

 

[MAC702]

Regardless of the calculation, you can probably guarantee there will be peak times in such a scheduled lifestyle where all 14 dryers will be on at the same time, several times a week.

I'm actually confused about the existence of this "demand factor" chart. I can't think of a place that would have 14 dryers, unless, you know, they needed to use more than 13....

 

[jumper]

Regardless of the calculation, you can probably guarantee there will be peak times in such a scheduled lifestyle where all 14 dryers will be on at the same time, several times a week.

I'm actually confused about the existence of this "demand factor" chart. I can't think of a place that would have 14 dryers, unless, you know, they needed to use more than 13....

Multifamily dwelling units. Demand factor applies

Laundromats. Demand factor would not apply.

 

[jumper]

Since dorms are not considered dwelling units, can we still apply the factors in Table 220.54 to common area dryers in a dormitory? I have 14 dryers and trying to find the proper demand factors.

Thanks.

Nope. No demand factor I know of outside of dwelling units.

 

[lielec11]

The more I'm thinking about it the more I agree with the lack of a chart for this application. Thanks.

Re: "existence of this chart" ... In multifamily apartment complexes what are the odds that all 100 (arbitrary number) tenants are drying clothes at the same time?

 

[MAC702]

...Re: "existence of this chart" ... In multifamily apartment complexes what are the odds that all 100 (arbitrary number) tenants are drying clothes at the same time?

Are these dryers located in the individual residences, but powered from a common panel, or are they located in a common area? Maybe that's what I'm missing.

 

[lielec11]

Are these dryers located in the individual residences, but powered from a common panel, or are they located in a common area? Maybe that's what I'm missing.

In my case they would be powered from a common panel in a common area. Therefore hypothetically they're more likely to be used all at once since, say, 300 students are sharing 14 dryers. In the case of multifamily residences, each dwelling unit has it's own dryer so they aren't sharing with anyone.

 

[MAC702]

Okay, I've never done multifamily where things like dryers that were in the units themselves were powered from a common panel somewhere else (perhaps the whole residence unit is.) Yes, that makes sense that a demand factor would apply there.

Regardless, we all agree that it would not apply to dryers located in a common area.

Thanks for the reassurance that I'm not crazy, and neither is the Code; this time.

 

[jumper]

Okay, I've never done multifamily where things like dryers that were in the units themselves were powered from a common panel somewhere else (perhaps the whole residence unit is.)

Mac, I am confused. No one stated a scenario as such.

 

[GoldDigger]

In my case they would be powered from a common panel [and located] in a common area. Therefore hypothetically they're more likely to be used all at once since, say, 300 students are sharing 14 dryers. In the case of multifamily residences, each dwelling unit has it's own dryer so they aren't sharing with anyone.

FIFY

Okay, I've never done multifamily where things like dryers that were in the units themselves were powered from a common panel somewhere else (perhaps the whole residence unit is.)

Take a look at the edit in lielec11's quote above and you will see the source of your misunderstanding. The first time I read it I also thought that only the panel was in a common area.

 

[jumper]

Mac, I am confused. No one stated a scenario as such.

FIFY


Take a look at the edit in lielec11's quote above and you will see the source of your misunderstanding. The first time I read it I also thought that only the panel was in a common area.

Ok. I did not even see that interpretation. I get Mac's response now.

 

[gadfly56]

Since dorms are not considered dwelling units, can we still apply the factors in Table 220.54 to common area dryers in a dormitory? I have 14 dryers and trying to find the proper demand factors.

Thanks.

What kind of "dorm" are we talking about? When I was in college my dorm had single and double rooms with a common bathroom facility at one end. No cooking facilities.

Other dorms I've seen have a suite of rooms, a living room, and a kitchen with stove, refrigerator, and sink. One common entrance. That second would definitely be a dwelling unit.

 

[MAC702]

I understood the OP's scenario and that's why I said that even if there was a calculation that allowed it, I wouldn't use it in a dorm setting because of the structured schedules that would make peak usages far more likely than common areas in something like a normal apartment building.

AFTER THAT, I was musing that if the chart was indeed for such a common area, I still didn't like it. Turns out, it was eventually confirmed that it was for when the machines were in individual residence units supplied from common power. I'd just never actually seen such installations and had no experience with using the chart. :ashamed:

Sorry. Move along. Nothing to see here. :ashamed1: