Essential Electrical System

[shortcircuit2]

Can a natural gas residential type generator be used to provide back-up power for the Essential Electrical System in a General Care (Category 2) Patient Care Space within a Medical Office that does minor Invasive Procedures without Electrical Life-Support Equipment, and the procedure is outpatient based and does not require overnight stay or general anesthesia?

Generator type:

http://www.generac.com/all-products/generators/home-backup-generators/guardian-series/16kw-7035

References and definitions taken from the 2017 NEC

 

[petersonra]

Is this a test question?

 

[petersonra]

This is probably not much help to your actual question but my wife was in a rehab hospital that was formerly a nursing home. Out in back they had two natural gas generators for backup power. I never bothered to ask why they had two. They looked like big versions of residential generators to me.

 

[steve66]

Its up to the AHJ to determine if natural gas is a reliable source of fuel. In California, most AHJ's would probably say no due to the possibility of an earthquake taking out both power and gas lines at the same time.

But that generator you posted a link to won't work. You will need a generator that is certified as a "level 1" backup emergency source. A residential generator won't cut it.

And from what I've heard, that generator probably won't be able to start and transfer in under 10 sec., which is another requirement.

This all assumes you really have or need an "essential electrical system".

 

[shortcircuit2]

Its up to the AHJ to determine if natural gas is a reliable source of fuel. In California, most AHJ's would probably say no due to the possibility of an earthquake taking out both power and gas lines at the same time.

But that generator you posted a link to won't work. You will need a generator that is certified as a "level 1" backup emergency source. A residential generator won't cut it.

And from what I've heard, that generator probably won't be able to start and transfer in under 10 sec., which is another requirement.

This all assumes you really have or need an "essential electrical system".

Thanks Steve...

Where is the requirement for a "level 1 " backup emergency source for a Category 2 Patient Care Space?

For the requirement or need for a EES, I referred to the new 2017 NEC 517.45(D)...which sends me to 517.40 through 517.45.
From there I am looking at the exception to 517.40(A) which allows an automatic battery-operated system. This is where I hit a dead-end on understanding what is needed.

What "Type" of "ESS" is a "Battery-Operated System"?

What is a "Type 2" ESS?

 

[publicgood]

Where is the requirement for a "level 1 " backup emergency source for a Category 2 Patient Care Space?

What "Type" of "ESS" is a "Battery-Operated System"?

What is a "Type 2" ESS?

Simple emergency lighting qualifies as Level 1 - not depended on this being hospital or not. Level 1 would be the case in a standard commercial building also.

See NFPA 110 for generators and NFPA 111 for stored energy.

Free Access:
http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards

 

[LIM]

Also keep in mind that NFPA 99 requires all Type 1 and Type 2 electrical systems to be served by a Level 1 generator. (6.4.1.1.6.1)

 

[steve66]

Thanks Steve...

Where is the requirement for a "level 1 " backup emergency source for a Category 2 Patient Care Space?

For the requirement or need for a EES, I referred to the new 2017 NEC 517.45(D)...which sends me to 517.40 through 517.45.
From there I am looking at the exception to 517.40(A) which allows an automatic battery-operated system. This is where I hit a dead-end on understanding what is needed.

What "Type" of "ESS" is a "Battery-Operated System"?

What is a "Type 2" ESS?

I just ordered the 2017, so I can't completely follow along. But usually, the engineer, the architect, the Doctors, and the Management meet and the question "Do you need emergency power?" is discussed and a decision is made, which is reflected on the permit drawings, which are reviewed by the Dept. of Health for the construction permit.

If they only need emergency lighting, then batteries might be all that's needed, and there might be some medical equipment that has its own battery backup, but I've never used battery power for anything else. And once some type of emergency power is needed, they type 1, level 1, class X requirement normally kicks in.