I am a Master Electrician and an Electrical Plans Examiner for a large Texas City. We've recently had a question from an engineer as to whether Critical Branch circuits are required for Hemodialysis Centers (outpatient), as per 2002 NEC 517.33. Our interpretation is yes, yet the Texas Department of Health is telling the engineer that this is not a requirement. Please advise.
The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
- Thread starter elecplans
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
I agree with the DOH. You don't get into 517.33, "Critical Branch," without first going through 517.30, "Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals." Your facility is not a hospital. Look at the definitions in 517.2 for "Hospital" and for "Ambulatory Health Care Facility."
I agree with the DOH. You don't get into 517.33, "Critical Branch," without first going through 517.30, "Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals." Your facility is not a hospital. Look at the definitions in 517.2 for "Hospital" and for "Ambulatory Health Care Facility."
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
But a hemodialysis units are specifically listed in the definition of "ambulatory health care facility". That means the critical receptacles would be required.
517.18 and 517.19 also require receptacles from the emergency branch. But these only apply to "patient bed locations". And the definition of that requires either "inpatient sleeping" or critical care. It looks to me like this is critical care.
Steve
But a hemodialysis units are specifically listed in the definition of "ambulatory health care facility". That means the critical receptacles would be required.
517.18 and 517.19 also require receptacles from the emergency branch. But these only apply to "patient bed locations". And the definition of that requires either "inpatient sleeping" or critical care. It looks to me like this is critical care.
Steve
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
But I do not see anything in 517 that says you need an "Essential Electrical System" (defined as "Emergency System" - Life Safety Branch and Critical Branch ? and "Equipment System") in anything other than a hospital. An "ambulatory health care facility" is not a "hospital." I infer that 517.30 does not apply.
T'is confusing, no?
I know. That is why I invited attention to that definition.
But I do not see anything in 517 that says you need an "Essential Electrical System" (defined as "Emergency System" - Life Safety Branch and Critical Branch ? and "Equipment System") in anything other than a hospital. An "ambulatory health care facility" is not a "hospital." I infer that 517.30 does not apply.
T'is confusing, no?
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
But doesn't 517.40 apply? Granted, there are no longer 3 branches, just 2 (critical and life safety). But it does still require critical branch circuits.
If we say they don't need a critical branch, then they don't even have to provide a second source of power
I'm not exactly sure what hemodialysis is, but I don't think I want to rely on the POCO to be there if I'm having it done!
Steve
But doesn't 517.40 apply? Granted, there are no longer 3 branches, just 2 (critical and life safety). But it does still require critical branch circuits.
If we say they don't need a critical branch, then they don't even have to provide a second source of power
I'm not exactly sure what hemodialysis is, but I don't think I want to rely on the POCO to be there if I'm having it done!
Steve
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
Here's one info source.
It's a method for treating kidney failure.
Here's one info source.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
But what do you think about the general "catch all" of 517.45, considering the defintion of "critical care area" (I had a hard time finding this. It's within the definition of "patient care area")?
I think not. 517.2 has a definition for "Limited Care Facility," and the facility under discussion does not meet that definition.
But what do you think about the general "catch all" of 517.45, considering the defintion of "critical care area" (I had a hard time finding this. It's within the definition of "patient care area")?
rick hart
Senior Member
- Location
- Dallas Texas
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
Providing care to patients on a 24 hour basis, such as a hospital, does not include outpatient facilities even if the outpatient facility is open 24/7. Treatments do not take 24 hours for dialysis, scoping, MRI, Radiation, etc and the patient will not be usually affected if power is disrupted like they would be if their condition required them to be admitted to a hospital.
It is more like a doctors office where the patient is capable of walking in and walking out under their own steam. That is why these outpatient treatment centers often open in store front locations.
Providing care to patients on a 24 hour basis, such as a hospital, does not include outpatient facilities even if the outpatient facility is open 24/7. Treatments do not take 24 hours for dialysis, scoping, MRI, Radiation, etc and the patient will not be usually affected if power is disrupted like they would be if their condition required them to be admitted to a hospital.
It is more like a doctors office where the patient is capable of walking in and walking out under their own steam. That is why these outpatient treatment centers often open in store front locations.
john m. caloggero
Senior Member
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
A building in which hemodialysis is performed is not required to have an Essential Electrical System. The dialysis machines usually have a battery back-up that allows an orderly shut-down for the safety of the patient. See Section 517.45(A).
The following is commentary from the 2002 and 2005 NEC Handbook.
"Ambulatory health care facilities, such as outpatient surgery centers, free standing emergency medical centers, and hemodialysis units, are subject to the requirements of Part II and 517.45. The definition of ambulatory health care facility in Article 517 correlates with the definition of the same term in NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities."
A building in which hemodialysis is performed is not required to have an Essential Electrical System. The dialysis machines usually have a battery back-up that allows an orderly shut-down for the safety of the patient. See Section 517.45(A).
The following is commentary from the 2002 and 2005 NEC Handbook.
"Ambulatory health care facilities, such as outpatient surgery centers, free standing emergency medical centers, and hemodialysis units, are subject to the requirements of Part II and 517.45. The definition of ambulatory health care facility in Article 517 correlates with the definition of the same term in NFPA 99, Standard for Health Care Facilities."
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
I really appreciate all the feedback. So, the general consensus is that the requirements of 517.33 are not required for an outpatient Hemodialysis Unit. Since Diabetes is very prevalent in our part of the country, it is vital that we know how to enforce the relevant sections of Article 517. Again, thank you all for the answers.
I really appreciate all the feedback. So, the general consensus is that the requirements of 517.33 are not required for an outpatient Hemodialysis Unit. Since Diabetes is very prevalent in our part of the country, it is vital that we know how to enforce the relevant sections of Article 517. Again, thank you all for the answers.
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
Valerie:
As Charlie and Mr. Caloggero have pointed out, 517.45 is the article that applies to a hemodialysis clinic. 517.45(A) tells you they essential electrical system may be a battery. 517.45(B) and (C) and (D) all tell you when 517.33 applies.
I still think you need to look at each center on an individual basis, and verify the equipment has battery backup, and verify they don't have a other life support equipment or critical care areas. A letter from the center to keep on file would probably be prudent.
Steve
Valerie:
As Charlie and Mr. Caloggero have pointed out, 517.45 is the article that applies to a hemodialysis clinic. 517.45(A) tells you they essential electrical system may be a battery. 517.45(B) and (C) and (D) all tell you when 517.33 applies.
I still think you need to look at each center on an individual basis, and verify the equipment has battery backup, and verify they don't have a other life support equipment or critical care areas. A letter from the center to keep on file would probably be prudent.
Steve
Re: The requirement of 2002 NEC 517.33 for hemodialysis room
Steve,
I agree that we review each on a case-by-case basis.
My fellow Electrical Plans Examiner, Gary, has made a point that 517.25, which defines the scope of part III of Article 517, includes outpatient facilities, & other health care facilities in it's description of facilities that are required to have essential electrical systems. 517.30 goes on to specify Hospitals, but I still don't think that this limits 517.33 only to hospitals. In addition, 517.33 specifies that task illumination and selected receptacles for the mentioned occupancies. The back-up batteries for the hemodialysis units would not back up task lighting and other receptacles that may need additional power back-up. We've forwarded this discussion to our Chief Electrical Inspector, who is the AHJ for our City, for a ruling.
Thanks again.
Steve,
I agree that we review each on a case-by-case basis.
My fellow Electrical Plans Examiner, Gary, has made a point that 517.25, which defines the scope of part III of Article 517, includes outpatient facilities, & other health care facilities in it's description of facilities that are required to have essential electrical systems. 517.30 goes on to specify Hospitals, but I still don't think that this limits 517.33 only to hospitals. In addition, 517.33 specifies that task illumination and selected receptacles for the mentioned occupancies. The back-up batteries for the hemodialysis units would not back up task lighting and other receptacles that may need additional power back-up. We've forwarded this discussion to our Chief Electrical Inspector, who is the AHJ for our City, for a ruling.
Thanks again.
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