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The provisions of Article 517 of NFPA 70 are adopted by reference with the following modifications:
1. Insert the following language in section 517.2 after the definition of “Anesthetizing Location”:
“Auxiliary Source. An additional utility service intended to provide a reliable source of power in the event of disruption of the normal service.”
2. Revise the definition of “Battery-Powered Lighting Units” in section 517.2 to read:
“Individual unit equipment for required standby emergency illumination shall consist of the following:
(1) Rechargeable acid or alkali storage battery designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emergency service of suitable rating and capacity to supply and maintain not less than 87-1/2 percent of the nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated with the unit for a period of at least 90 minutes
(2) Battery-charging means
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the equipment, or with terminals for remote lamps, or both
(4) Relaying device arranged to energize the lamps automatically upon failure of the supply to the unit equipment
(5) Unit battery housing and lamp housing shall be made of metal
All unit battery equipment shall be listed and labeled as emergency lighting equipment.”
3. Revise the definition of “Critical Branch” in section 517.2 to read:
“A subsystem of the emergency system consisting of feeders and branch circuits supplying power for task illumination, fixed equipment, selected receptacles, and select power circuits serving areas and functions related to patient care that are automatically connected to alternate power sources by one or more transfer switches during interruption of normal power source.”
4. Insert the following language in section 517.2 after the definition of “Electrical Life Support Equipment”:
“Emergency System. A system of feeders and branch circuits meeting the requirements of Article 700, except as modified by Article 517, and intended to supply alternate power to a limited number of prescribed functions vital to the protection of life and patient safety, with automatic restoration of electrical power within 10 seconds of power interruption.”
5. Insert the following language in section 517.2 after the definition of “Equipment branch”:
“Equipotential Grounding System. A grounding system in which all exposed conductive surfaces are connected to a common grounding point by approved conductors to insure that all surfaces are at the same potential.”
6. Insert the following language in section 517.2 after the definition of “Fault Hazard Current”:
“Final Reserve Power Source. One or more generator sets, or battery systems, where permitted, to provide power during interruption of the normal and auxiliary electrical services.”
7. Revise the definition of “Life Safety Branch” in section 517.2 to read:
“A subsystem of the emergency system consisting of feeders and branch circuits, meeting the requirements of Article 700 and intended to provide adequate power needs to ensure safety to patients and personnel, and that is automatically connected to alternate power sources by two or more transfer switches during interruption of the normal power source.”
8. Revise the definition of “Reference Grounding Point” in section 517.2 to read:
“A ground terminal or group of terminals which serve as a collection point for grounding exposed metal of conductive building surfaces in a patient care room.”
9. Revise the definition of “Selected Receptacles” in section 517.2 to read:
“A minimum number of electrical receptacles to accommodate appliances ordinarily required for local tasks or likely to be used in patient care
emergencies. Selected receptacles shall be identified by means of permanent red coloring and be hospital grade receptacles which are fed from a branch circuit connected on the critical branch.”
10. Revise the definition of “Task Illumination” in section 517.2 to read:
“Provisions for the minimum lighting required to carry out necessary tasks in the described areas, including safe access to supplies and equipment. Task illumination branch circuit shall be fed from critical branch.”
11. Revise section 517.13 to read:
“Grounding of Receptacles and Fixed Electrical Equipment in Patient Care Spaces. Wiring in patient care spaces shall comply with 517.13(A) and (B).
(A) Wiring Methods. All branch circuits serving patient care spaces shall be provided with an effective ground-fault current path by installation in a metal raceway system. The metal raceway system shall itself qualify as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118.
(B) Insulated Equipment Grounding Conductors and Insulated Equipment Bonding Jumpers.
(1) General. The following shall be directly connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor that is clearly identified along its entire length by green insulation and installed with the branch circuit conductors in the wiring methods as provided in 517.13(A).
(1) The grounding terminals of all receptacles other than isolated ground receptacles.
(2) Metal outlet boxes, metal device boxes, or metal enclosures containing receptacles.
(3) All non-current-carrying conductive surfaces of fixed electrical equipment likely to become energized that are subject to personal contact, operating at over 100 volts.
Exception No. 1: For other than isolated ground receptacles, an insulated equipment bonding jumper that directly connects to the equipment grounding conductor is permitted to connect the box and receptacle(s) to the equipment grounding conductor. Isolated ground receptacles shall be connected in accordance with 517.16.
Exception No. 2: Metal faceplates shall be permitted to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor by means of a metal mounting screw(s) securing the faceplate to a grounded outlet box or grounded wiring device.
Exception No. 3: Luminaires more than 2.29 m (7.5 ft) above the floor and switches located outside of the patient care vicinity shall be permitted to be connected to an equipment grounding return path complying with 517.13(A) or (B).
(2) Sizing. Equipment grounding conductors and equipment bonding jumpers shall be sized in accordance with 250.122.”
12. Revise section 517.14 to read:
“Panelboard Bonding. The equipment grounding terminal buses of the normal and essential branch-circuit panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity shall be connected together with an insulated continuous copper conductor not smaller than 6 AWG. Where two or more panelboards serving the same individual patient care vicinity are served from separate transfer switches on the emergency system, the equipment grounding terminal buses of those panelboards shall be connected together with an insulated continuous copper conductor not smaller than 6 AWG. This conductor shall be permitted to be broken in order to terminate on the equipment grounding terminal bus in each panelboard.”
13. Revise section 517.16 to read:
“Receptacles with Isolated Grounding Terminals. Receptacles with isolated grounding terminals, as described in 250.146(D), shall be identified by color coding the receptacle orange and shall not be used within patient care space.”
14. Revise the first paragraph of subsection 517.18(A) to read:
“Patient Bed Location. Each patient bed location shall be supplied by at least two branch circuits, one from the emergency system critical branch and one from the normal system. All branch circuits from the normal system shall originate in the same panelboard. The electrical receptacles supplied from the critical branch shall be identified by means of permanent red coloring and shall also indicate the panelboard and branch-circuit number supplying them. Branch circuits serving patient bed locations shall not be part of a multi-wire branch circuit.”
15. Revise subsection 517.19(D) to read:
“Patient Care Vicinity Grounding and Bonding. All critical care (Category 1) space shall have an equipotential grounding system. An equipotential grounding system shall consist of grounding and bonding conductors connected to ground bars and arranged to maintain voltage potential differences at a safe level in the patients' vicinity between all conductive surfaces, all conductive non-electrical equipment and devices and all non-current carrying metal parts of electrical equipment and devices.
(1) Bonding and Grounding Conductors. All bonding and grounding conductors shall be green insulated, stranded copper, installed in metal raceways in continuous length, without splice from, ground bar to ground bar. The minimum size of the grounding and bonding conductor shall be as follows:
(a) From source of power (main electrical service or transformer) to the distribution panelboards or panels serving the branch circuit panelboards in the areas required to have equipotential grounding shall be sized in accordance with 250.122 with a minimum size of 6 AWG.
(b) From the distribution panelboard to the branch circuit panelboard and to the patients' panelboard, when used, shall be sized in accordance with 250.122 with minimum size of 6 AWG.
(c) To the room, reference or patient ground buses or between these the minimum size shall be 6 AWG.
(d) To non-electric conductive surfaces and ground jacks shall be 10 AWG
(e) To receptacles, light switch boxes, and luminaires shall be 12 AWG.
(f) To additional ground jack devices shall be 10 AWG.
(g) Between panelboards supplying the same patient shall be 6 AWG.
(h) Grounding electrical cordage shall be 10AWG extra-flex.
(i) All metal raceways in the aforementioned spaces containing electrical wiring shall have at least one equipment grounding conductor sized to Table 250.122.
(j) Each distribution panelboard and branch circuit panelboard supplying power to an area that requires potential grounding shall contain and equipotential ground bar. All ground bars shall be bonded to the enclosure in approved manner. All grounding bars shall be made of copper, not less than 1/4 in. thick, drilled and tapped for 1/4 in. x 20 machine screw and sized large enough to accommodate all the conductors to be connected plus spares. Each conductor shall be connected by a separate 1/4 in. x 20 hexhead, non-slotted machine screw. All connections shall be torqued in accordance with 110.14(D).
(2) Critical Care (Category 1) Bed Location. Each critical care (Category 1) bed location shall have equipment grounding point grounded by means of an insulated continuous
copper conductor, sized not smaller 6 AWG installed directly to the reference grounding point or to an equipment grounding bus of the panelboard serving the critical care (Category 1) patient. The patient equipment grounding point shall contain a minimum of 4 listed ground jacks and additional listed ground jacks shall be installed as required.
(3) Fixed Exposed Conducive Surfaces. Fixed exposed conductive surfaces in the critical care (Category 1) vicinity shall be connected to the critical care bonding point(s) or reference grounding point by a continuous 10 AWG copper conductor.
Exception: Small wall-sized conductive surfaces such as surface-mounted towel and soap dispensers, mirrors, and so forth shall not be required to be grounded. In addition, bedside stands, over-bed tables, chairs, portable IV poles, and small, portable non-electrical devices such as trays, pitchers, bedpans and the like, shall not be required to be grounded.
(4) Single Point. Any other grounding and bonding points in 517.19(D)(2) and (D)(3) shall be permitted to be combined into a single point.”
16. Revise section 517.25 by deleting the informational note.
17. Revise section 517.29 to read:
“Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of Part III, 517.29 through 517.35, shall apply to hospitals where an essential electrical system is required.
Health care facilities other than hospitals with critical care (category 1) spaces shall also comply with these requirements.
(B) General.
(1) Scope. Essential electrical systems for hospitals shall be comprised of two separate systems capable of supplying a limited amount of lighting and power service, which is considered essential for life safety and effective hospital operation during the time the normal electrical service is interrupted for any reason. These two systems shall be the emergency system and the equipment system.
(2) Emergency System. The emergency system shall be limited to circuits essential to life safety and critical patient care. These are designated the life safety branch and the critical branch.
(3) Equipment System. The equipment system shall supply major electric equipment necessary for patient care and basic hospital operation.
(4) Transfer Switches. The number of transfer switches to be used shall be based upon design and load considerations. Each branch of the essential electrical system shall be served by one or more transfer switches as shown in Figures 517.29(B)(4)(a). With special permission, facilities with a maximum demand on the essential electrical system of 150 kVA will be permitted to have one transfer switch serving the emergency branches as in Figure 517.29(B)(4)(b).
(5) Other Loads. Loads served by the generating equipment not specifically named in 517.33 and 517.34 shall be served by their own transfer switches such that these loads:
(1) Shall not be transferred if the transfer will overload the generating equipment
(2) Shall be automatically shed upon generating equipment overloading.
(6) Power Source. Hospital power sources and alternate power sources shall be permitted to serve the essential systems of contiguous or same site facilities.
(C) Wiring Requirements.
(1) Separation from Other Circuits. The life safety branch and critical branch of the emergency system shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment and shall not enter the same raceways, boxes, or cabinets with each other or other wiring.
Exception: Service switchboard and transfer switch equipment.
(2) Isolated Power Systems. Where isolated power systems are installed in any of the areas in 517.33(A)(1) and (A)(2), each system shall be supplied by an individual circuit serving no other load.
(3) Mechanical Protection of the Emergency System. The wiring of the emergency system of a hospital shall be mechanically protected by installation in non-flexible metal raceways, or shall be wired with Type MI cable. Where installed as branch circuit conductors serving patient care areas, the installation shall comply with the requirements of 517.13.
Exception: Flexible power cords of appliances, or other utilization equipment, connected to the emergency system shall not be required to be enclosed in raceways.
Informational Note: See 517.13(B) for additional grounding requirements in patient care areas.
(D) Capacity of Systems. The essential electrical system shall have adequate capacity to meet the demand for the operation of all functions and equipment to be served by each system and branch.
Feeders shall be sized in accordance with Articles 215 and 220. The generator set(s) shall have sufficient capacity and proper rating to meet the demand produced by the load of the essential electrical system(s) at any one time.
Demand calculations for sizing of the generator set(s) shall be based upon one or more of the following:
(1) Prudent demand factors and historical data
(2) Connected load
(3) Feeder calculation procedures described in Article 220”
18. Insert Figure 517.29(B)(4)(a):
19. Insert Figure 517.29(B)(4)(b):
20. Revise section 517.30 to read:
“Sources of Power.
(A) Three Independent Sources of Power. Hospital electrical systems shall have a minimum of three independent sources of power: a normal source, an auxiliary source, and a final reserve source. Hospitals are required to have a System I Emergency System as defined in Article 700.
Essential electrical systems of hospitals providing obstetrical or surgical or critical care treatment shall be supplied by a minimum of two or more separate central station fed electrical services plus an on-site final reserve source, as per Figure 517. 29(B)(4)(a).
Exception: Hospitals not providing obstetrical, surgical or critical care treatment shall be served by a minimum of two independent sources; a normal and a final reserve source.
(B) Alternate Source of Power. The alternate source of power shall consist of an auxiliary or a final reserve source of power.
(C) Location of Essential Electrical System Components. Careful consideration shall be given to the location of the spaces housing the components of the essential electrical system to minimize interruptions caused by natural forces common to the area (e.g., storms, floods, earthquakes, or hazards created by adjoining structures or activities). Service rooms, generator rooms, and wire closets shall be for the exclusive use of electrical switchgear and distribution equipment. They shall not be used for other systems or equipment. All electrical equipment shall be installed in electrical rooms. They shall be void of air circulation ducts, piping systems for liquids, gases, or vapors. They shall contain no foreign equipment.
Branch circuit panelboards feeding critical care areas shall be located on the same floor as the loads they serve. These panelboards shall be easily accessible from the areas that they serve.
Exception: Air circulation ducts designed to provide supply air or exhaust exclusively for those service rooms or wire closets.
(D) Location of Transfer Switches and Distribution Equipment. Transfer switches and distribution equipment for the essential electrical systems shall not be in the service or generator rooms.
(E) Selective Coordination. Health care facilities overcurrent devices shall be selectively coordinated with all supply-side overcurrent protective devices.
Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed professional engineer or other qualified persons engaged primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system and be submitted to the authority having jurisdiction.”
21. Delete section 517.31.
22. Revise section 517.32 to read:
“Emergency System. Those functions of patient care depending on lighting or appliances that are connected to the emergency system shall be divided into two mandatory branches: the life safety branch and the critical branch, described in 517.33 and 517.34.
The branches of the emergency system shall be installed and connected to the alternate power source(s) so that all functions specified herein for the emergency system shall be automatically restored to operation within 10 seconds after interruption of the normal source.”
23. Revise section 517.33 to read:
“Life Safety Branch. No function other than those listed in (A) through (F) of this section shall be connected to the life safety branch. The life safety branch of the emergency system shall supply power for the following lighting and equipment.
(A) Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination of means of egress, such as lighting required for corridors, passageways, stairways, and landings at exit doors, and all necessary ways of approach to exits.
(B) Exit Signs. Exit signs and exit directional signs.
(C) Fire Alarm Systems. Fire alarm systems.
(D) Elevators. Elevator cab lighting, control, communications, and signal systems.”
24. Revise section 517.34 to read:
“Critical Branch.
(A) Task Illumination and Selected Receptacles. The critical branch of the emergency system shall supply power for task illumination, fixed equipment, selected receptacles, and special power circuits serving the following areas and functions related to patient care.
(1) Critical care areas that utilize anesthetizing gases task illumination, selected receptacles, and fixed equipment.
(2) The isolated power systems in special environments.
(3) Patient care areas task illumination and selected receptacles in the following:
(a) Infant nurseries
(b) Medication preparation areas
(c) Pharmacy dispensing areas
(d) Selected acute nursing areas
(e) Psychiatric bed areas (omit receptacles)
(f) Ward treatment rooms
(g) Nurses' stations (unless adequately lighted by corridor luminaires).
(4) Additional specialized patient care task illumination and receptacles, where needed
(5) Nurse call systems
(6) Blood, bone, and tissue banks
(7) Telephone equipment room(s) and closet(s).
(8) Task illumination, selected receptacles, and selected power circuits for:
(a) General care beds (at least one duplex receptacle per patient bedroom)
(b) Angiographic labs
(c) Cardiac catheterization labs
(d) Coronary care units
(e) Hemodialysis rooms or areas
(f) Emergency room treatment areas (selected)
(g) Human physiology labs
(h) Intensive care units
(i) Postoperative recovery rooms (selected).
Informational Note: Normal branch circuits are also required in these areas.
(9) Additional task illumination, receptacles, and selected power circuits needed for effective hospital operation. Single phase fractional horsepower exhaust fan motors that are interlocked with 3 phase motors on the equipment shall be permitted to be connected to the critical branch.
(B) Subdivision of the Critical Branch. It shall be permitted to subdivide the critical branch into two or more branches.
(C) Receptacle Identification. The receptacles supplied by the critical branch shall be identified by permanent red coloring so as to be readily recognizable.
(D) Alarm and Alerting Systems. Alarms required for systems used for the piping of nonflammable medical gases.
(E) Systems for Patient Monitoring. Systems for monitoring patient condition or functions.
(F) Communications Systems. Hospital communications systems, where used for issuing instructions during emergency conditions.
(G) Generator Set Location. Task illumination battery charger for emergency battery powered lighting unit(s) and selected receptacles at the generator set location.
(H) Generator Set Accessories. Generator set accessories as required for generator performance. Loads dedicated to a specific generator, including the fuel transfer pump(s), ventilation fans, electrically operated louvers, controls, cooling system and other generator accessories essential for generator operation, shall be connected to the critical branch or to the output terminals of the generator with overcurrent protective devices.
(I) Automatic Doors. Electrically powered doors used for building egress.
(J) Circuit Branch Receptacle Feeder Load. Critical branch feeder load for receptacles shall be calculated based on 300 VA for each duplex or equivalent receptacle outlet and 1920 VA for the dedicated receptacle at each patient headwall location for equipment requiring in excess of 7-1/2 amperes. Demand factors shown in Table 517.34(J) shall be allowed for critical feeder receptacle loads.
Table 517.34(J) Demand Factors for Critical Receptacle Feeder Loads
Beds | Demand Factor % | |
Bed Location Duplex Receptacles | Dedicated Bed Receptacles | |
4 or less | 65% | 100% |
5 to 8 | 50% | 75% |
9 or more | 40% | 65% |
25. Revise section 517.35 to read:
“Equipment System Connection to Alternate Power Source. The equipment system shall be installed and connected to the alternate power source, such that the equipment described in 517.35(A) is automatically restored to operation at appropriate time lag intervals following the energizing of the emergency system. Its arrangement shall also provide for the subsequent connection of equipment described in 517.35(B).
(A) Equipment for Delayed Automatic Connection. The following equipment shall be arranged for delayed automatic connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Central suction systems serving medical and surgical functions, including controls. Such suction systems shall be permitted on the critical branch.
(2) Sump pumps and other equipment required to operate for the safety of major apparatus, including associated control systems and alarms.
(3) Compressed air systems serving medical and surgical functions, including controls.
(4) Smoke control and stair pressurization systems.
(5) Kitchen hood supply and/or exhaust systems, if required to operate during a fire in or under the hood.
Exception: Sequential delayed automatic connection to the alternate power source to prevent overloading the generator shall be permitted where engineering studies indicate it is necessary.
(B) Equipment for Delayed Automatic or Manual Connection. The following equipment shall be arranged for either delayed automatic or manual connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Heating equipment to provide heating for operating, delivery, labor, recovery, intensive care, coronary care, nurseries, infection/ isolation rooms, emergency
treatment spaces, and general patient rooms.
(2) An elevator(s) selected to provide service to patient, surgical, obstetrical, and ground floors during interruption of normal power.
In instances where interruption of normal power would result in other elevators stopping between floors, throw over facilities shall be provided to allow the temporary operation of any elevator for the release of patients or other persons who may be confined between floors.
(3) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for surgical and obstetrical delivery suites, intensive care, coronary care, nurseries, infection/isolation rooms, emergency treatment spaces, and exhaust fans for laboratory fume hoods, nuclear medicine areas where radioactive material is used, ethylene oxide evacuation, and anesthesia evacuation.
(4) Hyperbaric facilities.
(5) Hypobaric facilities.
(6) Automatically operated doors.
(7) Minimal electrically heated autoclaving equipment shall be permitted to be arranged for either automatic or manual connection to the alternate source.
(8) Other selected equipment shall be permitted to be served by the equipment system.
(C) AC Equipment for Nondelayed Automatic Connection. Generator accessories, including but not limited to, the transfer fuel pump, electrically operated louvers, and other generator accessories essential for generator operation shall be arranged for automatic connection to the alternate power source.”
26. Revise section 517.40 to read:
“Essential Electrical Systems for Nursing Homes and Limited Care Facilities.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of Part III, 517.40(C) through 517.44, shall apply to nursing homes and limited care facilities.
Exception: Freestanding buildings used as nursing homes and limited care facilities, provided:
(a) Admitting and discharge policies are maintained that preclude the provision of care for any patient or resident who may need to be sustained by electrical life support equipment.
(b) No surgical treatment requiring general anesthesia is offered.
(c) An automatic battery operated system(s) or equipment is provided that shall be effective for at least 2 hours and is otherwise in accordance with Article 700 and that shall be capable of supplying lighting for exit lights, exit corridors, stairways, nursing stations, medical preparation areas, boiler rooms, and communication areas. This system shall also supply power to operate all alarm systems.
(B) Inpatient Hospital Care Facilities. Nursing homes and limited care facilities that provide inpatient hospital care shall comply with the requirements of Part III, 517.29 through 517.35.
(C) Facilities Contiguous with Hospitals. Nursing homes and limited care facilities that are contiguous or located on the same site with a hospital shall be permitted to have their essential electrical systems supplied by that of the hospital.”
27. Insert new figure 517.40:
28. Revise section 517.41 to read:
“Sources of Power.
(A) Two Independent Sources of Power. Essential electrical systems shall have a minimum of two independent sources of power: a normal source generally supplying the entire electrical system, and one or more alternate sources for use when the normal source is interrupted.
(B) Alternate Source of Power. The alternate source of power shall be a generator(s) driven by some form of prime mover(s), and located on the premises.
Exception No. 1: Where the normal source consists of generating units on the premises, the alternate source shall be either another generator set, or an external utility service.
Exception No. 2: Nursing homes or limited care facilities meeting the requirements of 517.40(A), Exception, shall be permitted to use a battery system or self-contained battery integral with the equipment.
(C) Location of Essential Electrical System Components. Careful consideration shall be given to the location of the spaces housing the components of the essential electrical system to minimize interruptions caused by natural forces common to the area (e.g., storms, floods, earthquakes, or hazards created by adjoining structures or activities). Consideration shall also be given to the possible interruption of normal electrical services resulting from similar causes as well as possible disruption of normal electrical service due to internal wiring and equipment failures.
Informational Note: Facilities whose normal source of power is supplied by two or more separate central station fed services experience greater than normal electrical service reliability than those with only a single feed. Such a dual source of normal power consists of two or more electrical services fed from separate generator sets or a utility distribution network having multiple power input sources and arranged to provide mechanical and electrical separation so that a fault between the facility and the generating sources will not likely cause an interruption of more than one of the facility service feeders.”
29. Revise section 517.42 to read:
“Essential Electrical Systems.
(A) General. Essential electrical systems for nursing homes and limited care facilities shall be comprised of two separate branches capable of supplying a limited amount of lighting and power service, which is considered essential for the protection of life safety and effective operation of the institution during the time normal electrical service is interrupted for any reason. These two separate branches shall be the life safety branch and the critical branch.
(B) Transfer Switches. The number of transfer switches to be used shall be based upon reliability, design, and load considerations. Each branch of the essential electrical system shall be served by one or more transfer switches as shown in Figure 517.40.
(C) Capacity of System. The essential electrical system shall have adequate capacity to meet the demand for the operation of all functions and equipment to be served by each branch at one time.
(D) Separation from Other Circuits. The life safety branch shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment and shall not enter the same raceways, boxes, or cabinets with other wiring except in transfer switches.”
30. Revise section 517.43 to read:
“Automatic Connection to Life Safety Branch. The life safety branch shall be so installed and connected to the alternate source of power that all functions specified herein shall be automatically restored to operation within 10 seconds after the interruption of the normal source. No function other than those listed in 517.43(A) through (E) shall be connected to the life safety branch. The life safety branch shall supply power for the following lighting and equipment:
Informational Note: The life safety branch is called the emergency system in Standard for Health Care Facilities, NFPA 99.
(A) Illumination of Means of Egress. Illumination of means of egress as is necessary for corridors, passageways, stairways, landings, and exit doors and all ways of approach to exits.
(B) Exit Signs. Exit signs and exit directional signs.
(C) Required Fire Alarm Systems. Required fire alarm systems.
(D) Dining and Recreation Areas. Sufficient lighting in dining and recreation areas to provide illumination to exit ways.
(E) Elevators. Elevator cab lighting, control, communications, and signal systems”
31. Revise section 517.44 to read:
“Connection to Critical Branch. The critical branch shall be so installed and connected to the alternate power source that the equipment listed in 517.44(A) shall be automatically restored to operation at appropriate time lag intervals following the restoration of the life safety branch to operation. Its arrangement shall also provide for the additional connection of equipment listed in 517.44(B) by either delayed automatic or manual operation.
(A) Delayed Automatic Connection. The following equipment shall be connected to the critical branch and shall be arranged for delayed automatic connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Patient care areas – task illumination and selected receptacles in:
a. Medication preparation areas.
b. Pharmacy dispensing areas.
c. Nurses' stations (unless adequately lighted by corridor luminaires).
(2) Sump pumps and other equipment required to operate for the safety of major apparatus and associated control systems and alarms.
(3) Alarms and alerting systems including alarms required for systems used for the piping of nonflammable medical gases.
(4) Task illumination and selected receptacles in the generator set location.
(5) Communications systems, where used for issuing instructions during emergency conditions.
(6) Smoke control and stair pressurization systems.
(7) Kitchen hood supply and/or exhaust systems, if required to operate during a fire in or under the hood.
(B) Delayed Automatic or Manual Connection. The following equipment shall be connected to the critical branch and shall be arranged for either delayed automatic or manual connection to the alternate power source:
(1) Heating Equipment. Heating equipment to provide heating for patient rooms.
(2) Elevator Service. In instances where disruption of power would result in elevators stopping between floors, throw over facilities shall be provided to allow the temporary operation of any elevator for the release of passengers. For elevator cab lighting, control, and signal system requirements, see 517.42(E).
(3) Additional Loads. Additional illumination, receptacles, and equipment shall be permitted to be connected only to the critical branch.”
32. Revise section 517.45 to read:
“Essential Electrical Systems for Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of this section shall apply to ambulatory health care occupancies, other than those covered by Section 517.29 or Section 517.40.
(B) Connections. The essential electrical system shall supply power for:
(1) Task illumination that is related to the safety of life and that is necessary for the safe cessation of procedures in progress.
(2) All anesthesia and resuscitative equipment used in areas where inhalation anesthetics are administered to patients, including alarm and alerting devices.
(3) All electrical life support equipment in areas where procedures are performed that require such equipment for the support of the patient's life.
(C) Alternate Source of Power.
(1) Power Source. The alternate source of power for the system shall be specifically designed for this purpose and shall be either a generator, battery system, or self-contained battery integral with the equipment.
Exception: If critical care (category 1) areas are present in the facility, the essential electrical system shall be as required in 517.29 through 517.35.
(2) System Capacity. The alternate source of power shall be separate and independent of the normal source and shall have a capacity to sustain its connected loads for a minimum of 2 hours after loss of the normal source.
(3) System Operation. The system shall be arranged so that, in the event of a failure of the normal power source, the alternate source of power shall be automatically connected to the load within 10 seconds.”
33. Insert Figure 517.45:
34. Insert new section 517.50 to read:
“Essential Electrical Systems for Health Care Facilities Not Covered in 517.29, 517.40, and 517.45.
(A) Applicability. The requirements of this section shall apply to health care facilities other than those covered by Sections 517.29, 517.40 or 517.45.
(B) Connections. The essential electrical system shall supply power for:
(1) Task illumination that is related to the safety of life and that is necessary for the safe cessation of procedures in progress.
(2) All anesthesia and resuscitative equipment used in areas where inhalation anesthetics are administered to patients, including alarm and alerting devices.
(C) Alternate Source of Power.
(1) Power Source. The alternate source of power for the system shall be specifically designed for this purpose and shall be either a generator, battery system, or self-contained battery integral with the equipment.
Exception: If electrical life support equipment is required, the essential electrical system shall be as required in 517.29 through 517.35.
(2) System Capacity. The alternate source of power shall be separate and independent of the normal source and shall have a capacity to sustain its connected loads for a minimum of 2 hours after loss of the normal source.
(3) System Operation. The system shall be arranged so that, in the event of a failure of the normal power source, the alternate source of power shall be automatically connected to the load within 10 seconds.”
35. Revise subsection 517.61(B)(1) to read:
“Wiring Methods. Wiring above a hazardous (classified) location referred to in 517.60 shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, intermediate metal conduit, or Type MI cable.”
36. Revise subsection 517.61(C)(1) to read:
“Wiring Methods. Wiring serving other-than- hazardous (classified) locations, as defined in 517.60, shall be installed in a metal raceway system. The metal raceway system shall qualify as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with 250.118. Type MI cable shall have an outer metal armor, sheath, or sheath assembly that is identified as an acceptable equipment grounding conductor.”
37. Revise subsection 517.61(C)(4) to read:
“Anesthetizing Location Power Circuits. Each power circuit within, or partially within an anesthetizing location referred in 517.60 shall be isolated from any distribution system by the use of an isolated power system.”
(Added Coun. J. 9-6-17, p. 55278, Art. I, § 1)