select lighting fixtures on Critical in an ICU Patient Room

[mshields]

517.34 appropriately indicates that select lighting in patient rooms should be on Critical. While that makes plain that not all luminaires NEED to be on the Critical Branch, is there anything preventing one from making ALL of them Critical. I am aware that Operatings Rooms for example, must have two sources (often could be Normal OR a second Critical Branch). I am not aware of any such rule with patient rooms.

 

[steve66]

Providing some light from another critical branch or normal power is a much better design. You don't want the entire ICU to go dark if one breaker trips, or if the electricians need to shut off one panel for maintenance. Heck, it could even come from the equipment branch (don't miss paragraph C that states "other selected equipment shall be permitted to be served by the equipment branch").

And I believe it actually says task lighting can go on the critical branch. One could infer that to mean there should be some general lighting that goes on another branch.

 

[mbrooke]

Why do you need everything on critical? If they want everything backed up I'd add another ATS.

 

[mshields]

If I had another Critical ATS branch to work with I would go that route. It is, in fact, what I am accustomed to. Client didn't want to pay for that. So while I get the redundant sources, had a difficult time with the client saying which lights he could live without in a power outage. Your comment about the Equipment Branch however Steve checks all the boxes. That's what I'll do. Thanks!!!

 

[mshields]

Providing some light from another critical branch or normal power is a much better design. You don't want the entire ICU to go dark if one breaker trips, or if the electricians need to shut off one panel for maintenance. Heck, it could even come from the equipment branch (don't miss paragraph C that states "other selected equipment shall be permitted to be served by the equipment branch").

And I believe it actually says task lighting can go on the critical branch. One could infer that to mean there should be some general lighting that goes on another branch.

Only one problem Steve - I don't see which "C" you are referring to where it says this. Looked in 2017 and 2020 version and under 517.34 and also under 517.35 Equipment Branch. Probably right under my nose but can you humor me? Thanks

 

[mshields]

NEVER MIND - 517.35(B)8 is where it states that

Thanks again

 

[mbrooke]

Glad you found a solution. Also learned something new, Thanks Steve!