GFCI at sink in patient room

[Brig5150]

Working on a job where a patient bed is in area of critical care. A hand wash sink is located across the room from the bed more than 6' away. There are multiple outlets within 6' of this sink but out of what I believe is patient care area. Do thes all need to be protected by gfci?

 

[raider1]

The 2011 NEC clarified that receptacles within 6' of sinks in patient bed locations of health care facilities are not required to be GFCI protected. See 210.8(B)(5) Exception #2.

Under the 2008 the exception included all patient care areas of health care facilities which included dentist offices and doctors offices.

Chris

 

[Brig5150]

Does patient bed locations of health care have a radius to bed or just the room in general ? Thanks for your help.

 

[raider1]

Does patient bed locations of health care have a radius to bed or just the room in general ? Thanks for your help.

The definition of "Patient bed location" from 517 is;

"The location of a patient sleeping bed, or the bed or procedure table of a critical care area."

IMHO if the sink is located in room that contains a patient bed in a general care or critical care area then GFCI protection is not required for that sink.

Chris

 

[davidaengelhart]

See NEC 517.21. GFCI protection may not be required.