Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: shockin, Location: New Hampshire
Asked on: Friday, June 3, 2011 at 4:23 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 6:11 am EDT
Question: Does a nursing home fall under 517 as it relates to wiring methods? 517.10(B) seems to say it doesn't.In my limited experiance with nursing homes it seems to be pretty common to have a doctor make rounds weekly and examin the patients. I guess duing that instance they become exam rooms?In some cases there is heart monitoring equipment, breathing equipment (you might call it life support) ect which seems to me to be a patient care area.Thanks for the help!
Applicable Code Section
NEC 517.10(B)
Interpretation
NEC 517.10(B) states that areas in a healthcare facility that are not intended for patient care shall be permitted to be wired under Article 520. However, rooms that become patient care areas during select times or for specific procedures must comply with the requirements of Article 517 while in that mode.
Application to Nursing Homes
Non-Patient Care Areas
Common areas (e.g., lobbies, dining rooms) Administrative offices Maintenance rooms Storage areas These areas are not intended for patient care and can be wired under Article 520.
Patient Care Areas
Patient rooms Treatment rooms Nurses' stations These areas are intended for patient care and must comply with the requirements of Article 517.
Special Considerations
Exam Rooms
If a doctor makes regular rounds and examines patients in designated rooms, those rooms are considered patient care areas while being used for that purpose. Therefore, they must comply with Article 517 during those times.
Medical Equipment
* The presence of heart monitoring equipment, breathing equipment, or other life support systems in a room indicates that it is a patient care area. These areas must comply with Article 517 regardless of the frequency of use.
Conclusion:
Nursing homes may have both patient care and non-patient care areas. Non-patient care areas can be wired under Article 520, while patient care areas, including rooms that temporarily become patient care areas due to medical procedures or examinations, must comply with the requirements of Article 517. Flag for review