Hospital Operating rooms WR receptacles

[brother]

Ive been reading some of the new proposals on NFPA 99, it looks like they want to make all operating rooms a wet location. I always thought they were ALREADY considered wet locations, but apparently not.

I suppose all the receptacles will have to be 'weather resistant' per Article 406.8. Whats your opinion of this??? When a person replaces a receptacle from just wear and tear does the NEW code kick in?? or would this be a like kind for like kind?? IN OTHER words would it be ok to put in a NON weather resistant receptacle in a wet location when you are replacing an old receptacle?? Just thoughts for conversation.

 

[benaround]

brother,

I would say you have to install a 'wet location ' type if it's a wet location.

Would be like changing an outdoor recpt. that wasn't a GFCI, IMO.

 

[DanZ]

When a person replaces a receptacle from just wear and tear does the NEW code kick in?? or would this be a like kind for like kind?? IN OTHER words would it be ok to put in a NON weather resistant receptacle in a wet location when you are replacing an old receptacle?? Just thoughts for conversation.

Nope. When a person replaces a receptacle for any reason it must be brought up to the current code standard.

 

[steve66]

I'm assuming they mean that the floor and procedure table are wet locations, but receptacles mounted on surgical columns, or on walls would not be in a wet location.

I could be wrong, but I don't think wet location covers will be required. I think it has more to do with requireing GFCI protection or Isolation panels because the equipment that is plugged into the receptacles may be subject to getting wet.

Steve

 

[brother]

I'm assuming they mean that the floor and procedure table are wet locations, but receptacles mounted on surgical columns, or on walls would not be in a wet location.

I could be wrong, but I don't think wet location covers will be required. I think it has more to do with requireing GFCI protection or Isolation panels because the equipment that is plugged into the receptacles may be subject to getting wet.

Steve

I would agree that their INTENT is probably not to require the 'weather proof covers' as stated in 406.8 wet location, NEC 2008, 2005. But the WORDING is there with no exceptions for hospitals OR. Its probably an OVERSITE of the cmp committee, what do you think??

 

[steve66]

I haven't read the actual proposal for NFPA 99, so I can only guess. My guess is that the real intent is to basically require isolation panels for receptacles serving OR's. And I think that would be a good thing.

Steve

 

[brother]

I haven't read the actual proposal for NFPA 99, so I can only guess. My guess is that the real intent is to basically require isolation panels for receptacles serving OR's. And I think that would be a good thing.

Steve

yes that is the intent. see link

http://www.mgisys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1261

The following message was sent by ASHE to its members on August 12, 2008:

"A proposal has been submitted to NFPA 99 that would change the current definition of "wet locations" to include all operating rooms. If this proposal is allowed to go through as written, it will ultimately require isolated power systems to be installed in all newly constructed or renovated ORs This debate on whether ORs are in fact wet locations and whether isolated power systems need to be installed has been going on for over 30 years. The way the current NFPA 99 standard is written, it leaves the decision to classify a location as wet up to the governing body of the healthcare organization