Source of power for critical loads in hospitals

[mshields]

The FGI guidelines and therefore here in MA, the MA DPH requires that critical circuits be fed via a source that is on the same floor. i.e. unlike with Life Safety, you can't go to the floor above or below.

I'm wondering if NFPA 99 and/or NEC 517 mimic this rule. I don't see it. I just want to make sure I'm not missing it.

A client is in a pinch and would like to go to the floor above for 2 critical circuits; adding a new critical panel will require a shut down of the critical riser (or if not a complete shut down at least preparations for that possibility). I just want to make sure I've got all relevant code references.

Much appreciated,

Mike

 

[wbdvt]

I am not familiar with FGI and looked it up. It appears to be guidelines for design and construction of healthcare facilities. Two thoughts on this and I may be way out to lunch on this but since they are guidelines I don't think they are enforceable unless adopted by the regulatory agency. And design and construction, to me, means more like a new facility.

However having done electrical system studies for arc flash at a number of hospitals, I have only seen the emergency source (diesel generators) either located on ground floor level or out in a separate building. I don't know how you would put a emergency generator on the floor of the critical circuits as there could be many floors involved each with it's own separate source?

 

[GoldDigger]

The OP is saying that each branch must originate at a panel on the same floor.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[wbdvt]

ok, my terminology for source would be where the power is coming from such as utility source or generator source. So terminology where he means the source of the circuit rather than source of power.

Thank you

 

[gadfly56]

ok, my terminology for source would be where the power is coming from such as utility source or generator source. So terminology where he means the source of the circuit rather than source of power.

Thank you

FWIW, I read that the same as you did until about 3/4 through the OP.

 

[mshields]

to clarify

to clarify

yes - we're talking about source of power; i.e. the panelboard associated with the circuit in question.

As for the FGI guidelines, they are adopted by the MA Department of Public Health such that here in MA, for a hospital, it constitutes a set of requirements rather than what it's name would imply. I believe the Joint Commission and possibly CMS have something to say on the matter; Regardless, here in MA, they are rules not guidelines.

Mike

 

[steve66]

yes - we're talking about source of power; i.e. the panelboard associated with the circuit in question.

As for the FGI guidelines, they are adopted by the MA Department of Public Health such that here in MA, for a hospital, it constitutes a set of requirements rather than what it's name would imply. I believe the Joint Commission and possibly CMS have something to say on the matter; Regardless, here in MA, they are rules not guidelines.

Mike

Illinois has a similar rule which I believe was written and is enforced by the Dept. of Public Health.

Life safety can be up or down a floor, but critical should be on the same floor to make it easier for staff to find and reset breakers.