Outpatient Facility Generator Required?

[SDG0413]

I'd like to get some opinions/input/past experiences with outpatient facilities and the requirement for EEPS since I'm fairly new to the healthcare design realm. The facility we're designing has several exam rooms, X-Ray, Ultrasound and Blood Draw rooms. I'm having a hard time determining if I can get away with battery systems per NEC 517.45 (2014) or if I need to put a generator in.

Any input is highly valued and I'd love some references to code excerpts used for clarification, for my future use!

 

[ron]

Review the Architects drawings or the Permit application carefully.

What is the Occupancy Group?

Chapter 3 of the IBC defines a "Clinic, Outpatient" as a Business Group B, NOT a Institutional Group I-2 like a Hospital would be.

A lot has to do with whether the people can get themselves out of the building un-assisted.

That will then help you figure out where you go in Chapter 27 of the Building Code or appropriate Article of the NEC (or NFPA 99 if a hospital type).

 

[SDG0413]

Review the Architects drawings or the Permit application carefully.

What is the Occupancy Group?

Chapter 3 of the IBC defines a "Clinic, Outpatient" as a Business Group B, NOT a Institutional Group I-2 like a Hospital would be.

A lot has to do with whether the people can get themselves out of the building un-assisted.

That will then help you figure out where you go in Chapter 27 of the Building Code or appropriate Article of the NEC (or NFPA 99 if a hospital type).

Thanks for the feedback, Ron!

Just got a copy of the permit and it is classified as "B" occupancy.

 

[ron]

Thanks for the feedback, Ron!

Just got a copy of the permit and it is classified as "B" occupancy.

That is a good leg to stand on.

The other is to see where you stand on the definition in 517.2 for Ambulatory Health Care Occupancy and if the patient is capable of taking action for self preservation under an emergency condition without assistance. The NEC tries to get involved in defining an occupancy too. In the 2017 NEC: An occupancy used to provide services or treatment simultaneously to four or more patients that provides, on an outpatient basis, one or more of the following:

Why does the NEC want to mess with an occupancy type when those are defined by the Building Code, I don't know?

Ambulatory health care occupancies, including outpatient surgery centers, freestanding emergency medical centers, and hemodialysis units, are subject to the requirements of Part II of Article 517 and 517.45. this definition, which correlates with NFPA 99, recognizes that some emergency or urgent care is performed at ambulatory health care occupancies.