Multiple services to a building

[steve66]

A hospital consists of several interrconnected buildings seperated by fire and smoke walls. (You would have no way of knowing where one building starts and where one stops without looking at the plans).

It is fed by about 12 separate services, each from a different transformer and each to a different equipment room. There are also 3 generators in different locations that feed different buildings.

Problem: One building has its emergency generator load max'ed out. (208V).

Question; Can I run a 480V feeder from another building to supply loads in this building?

I think the general rule is one service per building, but this hospital is already criss-crossed with power from different sources.

 

[kevinware]

Re: Multiple services to a building

Steve,
I am only an apprentice, but I will give you my opinion. By applying 225.30 I believe you can band-aid this problem but is that what you really want to do? 225.30(E) states "Additional feeders or branch circuits shall be permitted to supply installations under single management where documented safe switching procedures are established and maintained for disconnection".

Now like I said I only an apprentice so read 225.30 and 225.30(E) for yourself and lets see what others have to say. I am sure I am missing something.

I forgot to ask: How come the hospital just don't upgrade the gen. set?
Edit to add the above.

Thanks,
Kevin

[ January 20, 2006, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: kevinware ]

 

[bdarnell]

Re: Multiple services to a building

Hospitals are notorious for adding (separate) buildings and hence, separate services and most times the provisions of the articles Kevin quoted as well as 230.2 and 230.3 are overlooked.

I think that if I were looking at this for my company, I would take the path that Kevin suggested and recommend an upgrade. Failing that, I would probably consult the AHJ and get a written opinion before proceeding.

 

[steve66]

Re: Multiple services to a building

and most times the provisions of the articles Kevin quoted as well as 230.2 and 230.3 are overlooked.

My limited experience agrees with that. Due to constant additions and remodeling, and also due to the many different types of feeders (normal, generator, emergency, equipment, life safety, critical, radiology, 208V and 480V) this hospital seems to be criss crossed with feeders from different services.

This is an old generator on the 4th floor. The hospital actually wants to remove it, but that was too expensive. They already have enough generator capacity to run the entire building.

Steve

[ January 20, 2006, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: steve66 ]