Patient Bed Location Receptacles

[dpenbert]

In the NEC 1999 book under article 517 section 18, it states that each patient bed location shall be supplied by at least two branch circuits, one from the emergency system and one from the normal system.
What distance from the bed is acceptable according to the code that one could place the receptacles?

[ December 08, 2004, 02:53 PM: Message edited by: dpenbert ]

 

[roger]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

They should be within the "Patient Vicintity" to be in the "Patient Bed Location". Typically this would be an area within 6' of the bed in it's nominal location.

See the definition of "Patient Vicintity" in 517-2

Roger

 

[dpenbert]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

Thank you for your reply, I missed that part when I was skimming the section.

 

[steve66]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

I have to disagree, Roger. The patient bed location is smaller than the "patient vicinity". In most hospital rooms I have seen, within 6' of the bed would include most (if not all) the room.

I think these receptacles should basically be at or by the headboard.

Here (in Illinois), the state health department also requires these outlets to be between 22" and 42" above the floor.

Steve

 

[roger]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

Steve,

I have to disagree, Roger. The patient bed location is smaller than the "patient vicinity". In most hospital rooms I have seen, within 6' of the bed would include most (if not all) the room.

so using your opinion of this area, we wouldn't have to concern ourselves beyond this reduced area you are describing as far as Equipotential testing per 4.3.3.1 of NFPA 99.

Here (in Illinois), the state health department also requires these outlets to be between 22" and 42" above the floor.

And what do they do if these receptacles are in a Head Wall (Hill-Rom for example) that may be mounted higher?

Below is text from an article I saved from somewhere which I can't remember.

1999 NEC 517-18 & 517-19 describe the specific requirements for receptacles, circuits, and grounding in general
and critical care area patient bed locations and specifies all receptacles installed must be ?hospital grade? and so
identified. To eliminate any confusion about patient bed location ?boundaries? in open areas or treatment rooms, the
required receptacles must be installed within the patient vicinity defined in 1999 NEC 517-3. Patient vicinity is an
area in which patients are normally cared for, and it is ?the space with surfaces likely to be contacted by the patient
or an attendant who can touch the patient. Typically in a patient room, this encloses a space within the room not
less than 6 feet (1.83 m) beyond the perimeter of the bed (dental chair, treatment booth and the like) in its nominal
location, and extending vertically not less than 7? feet (2.29 m) above the floor.? The words ?not less than? must
be noted. The patient vicinity could be much larger than the 6-foot dimension mentioned.

You can also go to this article for more info, note who the author is.

Roger

 

[steve66]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

Roger:

I don't follow your reference to equipotential testing. Chapter 4 of NFPA 99 is med gas systems I'll admit thought, I have not seen an inspector write anyone up for outlets being too high.

Steve

[ December 09, 2004, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: steve66 ]

 

[roger]

Re: Patient Bed Location Receptacles

Originally posted by steve66:
Roger:

I don't follow your reference to equipotential testing. Chapter 4 of NFPA 99 is med gas systems And a search for "patient bed location" only gives a definition and required locations of receptacles.

Steve, your using an old edition (pre 2002)of NFPA 99 and I believe you will find the Electrical test requirements in chapter 3.

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

And your point is? This is the same definition as the NEC

Patient Care Vicinity. A space, within a location intended for the examination and treatment of patients, extending 6 ft (1.8 m) beyond the normal location of the bed, chair, table, treadmill, or other device that supports the patient during examination and treatment. A patient care vicinity extends vertically to 7 ft 6 in. (2.3 m) above the floor. (EE)

This is the same area defined in the NEC as well.

I am at a loss as to why you would consider (or the author) would consider the bed location the same as the vicinity.

Well, if as you said,

I have to disagree, Roger. The patient bed location is smaller than the "patient vicinity". In most hospital rooms I have seen, within 6' of the bed would include most (if not all) the room.

the "Patient Bed Location" defines the "Patient Vicinity peremiter" so how do you not see the "Patient Bed Location" within this space.


The Author of the "Patient Vicinity Grounding" article is Gaylen Rogers who is an alternate to CMP 17 (article 517)

Roger