Elevator Feeders in Hospital High Rise

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carterzw007

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Currently working on a large hospital in the Midwest. With the abundant amount of information in the NFPA 70, 101 and others, I am getting caught up with service to Elevators.

It's my understanding, according to NEC 517.32 that wiring of the Elevator cab lighting, control, communications and signal system are to be mechanically protected by ways of 517.30 (C)(2). I also understand that if I have elevators on the emergency system 517.34 (B) (2) they would need to comply with 517.30 (C)(2).

However - 517.30 (C)(2) never makes mention any fire protection rating of any kind. They mention MI cable, and I do not want to assume that this means that the feeder is fire rated.

My question is about the need (if any) for fire rating of the Elevator feeder from my distribution switchgear to the elevator control/machine room. When do I need to have fire rating for power feeds to an elevator? Or does the shaft rating and recall of the elevator cover in the event of a fire.
 
carterzw007 said:
Currently working on a large hospital in the Midwest. With the abundant amount of information in the NFPA 70, 101 and others, I am getting caught up with service to Elevators.

It's my understanding, according to NEC 517.32 that wiring of the Elevator cab lighting, control, communications and signal system are to be mechanically protected by ways of 517.30 (C)(2). I also understand that if I have elevators on the emergency system 517.34 (B) (2) they would need to comply with 517.30 (C)(2).

However - 517.30 (C)(2) never makes mention any fire protection rating of any kind. They mention MI cable, and I do not want to assume that this means that the feeder is fire rated.

My question is about the need (if any) for fire rating of the Elevator feeder from my distribution switchgear to the elevator control/machine room. When do I need to have fire rating for power feeds to an elevator? Or does the shaft rating and recall of the elevator cover in the event of a fire.
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What year of the code are you referring to? Or did you mean 517.30(C)(3)? That paragraph is all about mechanical protection of the feeders, not fire protection. MI cable is listed because it provides mechanical protection, but so does standard metal conduit (EMT or RGS), so it is also listed there.

Fire protection requirements are in 700, if its an emergency system. As far as I am aware, if the building is completely sprinklered, a fire rated wiring method would not be required for any of the emergency circuits.
 
Hello Steve, thank you for the help! Yes, I'm sorry, I meant NEC 517.30 (C)(3). I'm referring to NEC 2011 in this discussion.

I like where you are going with the fire protection if it's fully sprinklered. The facility is planned to be sprinkelered.

However - it does not mention healthcare, or institutional for that matter, as an occupancy class under 700.10 (D). Which leaves me still stuck.

I am in agreement with the mechanical protection of the Essential systems in 517.30. - just not sure about the feeders to the elevators and any fire protection in a hospital.
 
I'm not sure why health care isn't listed in that paragraph. I would think a high rise hospital would have some business occupancies too, so I would say the building needs sprinklered.

But otherwise, I just don't see any requirements for fire-proofing the elevator feeders, or any other emergency feeders if the building has sprinklers.
 
carterzw007 said:
What do you think of the attached? Do you follow this thinking?
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That looks pretty accurate to me. Just to cover all the bases, you might want to check the IBC, NFPA 101, and NFPA 110 just to see if they add any requirements.

I looked in the 2009 IBC, and I don't see any added requirements.
 
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