Rehabilitation Center Classification?

[krmelec@nac.net]

Hello everyone,

Is a Rehabilitation Center for Hands classified as a Health Care Facility?

My father and I were discussing a customer's situation this morning and could not find a clear cut answer. The customer owns a Rehabilitation center for Hands. They are in negotiations with a property owner to move their business to a newer multi-use facility. The space will need to be retrofitted for their operation. The question is what type "use" this business is classifed as under the 2002 NEC. The definintion of a Health Care Facility in the 2002 NEC does not really fit this type of business. However, if the AHJ feels differently an entirely different wiring method will need to be used for the retrofit. Any ideas???

[ August 18, 2003, 01:22 PM: Message edited by: krmelec@nac.net ]

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Inn my opinion, the AHJ will look at use and occupancy from a building code point of view before an electrical code point of view. With that in mind, it will be considered a business, as per article 304.1 of the 2000 IBC. I don't think you'll have to worry.

 

[travis]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Rehab for hands is a type of health care right?

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

I would call it a business and would apply 517.10 (B).

 

[travis]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Ryan would you call any rehab just a business,and what is your reasoning?

 

[krmelec@nac.net]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Thank you for the quick replies guys. DISCRETION is the key word for our business. Today, my father spoke to a colleague that was a NJ state electrical inspector for many years. He stated that without exception, the facility would have to be wired according to "Hospital Grade" methods. This apparently included the overhead troffer light fixtures. The Rehabilitation owner spoke to the Rutherford NJ electrical inspector yesterday and received a slightly different answer. She was told that there were allowed a few exceptions, that the light fixtures did not have to be rewired but all of the receptacle had to be hospital grade. Now, this answer seems in contracdiction to Mike Holt's last Q&A section about hospital grade receptacles only being required for patient bed locations per 517.2. Anyhow, I guess everything can be open for discussion.

 

[caj1962]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

not just the recpticles are in question but also the wiring methods. you have to use a metalic path for a redundant ground. mc cable or nm cable would not be allowed. in our area some of the contractors are running into problems because of the changes that occured when the 2002 code was adopted. some of the contractors are trying to say that is how we always did it before and are getting into trouble on rough ins and finals

 

[websparky]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Sounds like you will have to comply with 517.

NEC 2002 517.2 General Care Areas. Patient bedrooms, examining rooms, treatment rooms, clinics, and similar areas in which it is intended that the patient will come in contact with ordinary appliances such as a nurse call system, electrical beds, examining lamps, telephone, and entertainment devices. In such areas, it may also be intended that patients be connected to electromedical devices (such as heating pads, electrocardiographs, drainage pumps, monitors, otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, intravenous lines, etc.).

 

[rb]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Practically all health care facilities, other than hospitals, are business occupancies. You still must comply with NEC 517.

 

[krmelec@nac.net]

Re: Rehabilitation Center Classification?

Thank you for the advice an insight everyone. It is always nice to hear what other people in the trade think when you start to second guess a job.