Alex Masterton, PE Electrical Engineer Reviewer AHCA Neal Boothe, PE Electrical Engineer/Principal

Alex Masterton, PE Electrical Engineer Reviewer AHCA Neal Boothe, PE Electrical Engineer/Principal

FBC 419.3.15.6 All low-voltage system main or branch circuits entering or exiting the structure shall have surge suppressors installed for each pair of conductors and shall have visual indication for protector failure to the maximum extent feasible.

Does this mean TVSS must be at the device? Can TVSS be at panel serving the device? AHCA Interpretation: TVSS at Panel to be used. Maintain lead lengths per manufacturer s requirements. This would apply to: Rooftop AHU, exhaust fans, exterior lighting, exterior receptacles, exterior pumps, etc. Low voltage systems would include fire alarm, telephone system, network cabling, etc.

NFPA 312.29 Boxes, conduit bodies, and handhole enclosures shall be installed so that the wiring contained in them can be rendered accessible without removing any part of the building or, in underground circuits, without excavating sidewalks, paving, earth, or other substance that is to be used to establish the finished grade.

Interpretation from Health Guidelines Revision Committee (FGI) Trough can be used. AHCA Interpretation: Trough can be used. Trough cover to be flush with floor. Flooring to be sealed at trough.

From new 2012, NFPA 99 - not in effect yet but once adopted... 6.3.2.2.8.4 Operating rooms shall be considered to be a wet location, unless a risk assessment conducted by the health care governing body determines otherwise. Who is health care governing body AHCA Interpretation Hospital s risk management group

Normal and Critical Power still required in OR per NEC 517.19 Isolated Power Panel cannot serve multiple rooms per NEC 517.160 (4) So A normal and critical isolation panel will be required in each OR Exception: Two critical isolation panels (from separate ATS can be used) see NEC 517.19 Exception 2

Air movement is required on Equipment System Power per NEC 517.34 for some areas: The following equipment shall be permitted to be arranged for delayed connection to the alternate power source: (6) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for airborne infectious/isolation rooms, protective environment rooms, exhaust fans for laboratory fume hoods, nuclear medicine areas where radioactive material is used, ethylene oxide evacuation, and anesthesia evacuation. Where delayed automatic connection is not appropriate, such ventilation systems shall be permitted to be placed on the critical branch. (7) Supply, return, and exhaust ventilating systems for operating and delivery rooms.

Heating is required on Equipment system power in some areas per NEC 517.35: The following equipment shall be permitted to 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 and pressure maintenance (jockey or makeup) pump(s) for water-based fire protection systems. Exceptions where design day temp is higher than 20 deg F

These codes require ventilation and heat. What about air conditioning: FBC 419.4.2.6.3 As determined by the facility these selected HVAC systems and their associated support equipment such as control air compressor essential to the maintenance of the occupied patient and patient support area(s) shall receive their power from the emergency power supply system(s). So Talk with Hospital Where is air conditioning required for operation of hospital?

Life Safety or Equipment System Power? NEC 517.32 (H) use LS power for auto doors used for building egress NEC 517.34 (B) (5) use EQ power for auto doors AHCA Interpretation: As all doors affect egress, use LS power for all auto doors

Per FGI 2.1-8.5 Min. inside dimension of 12 x 14 No more size exceptions from AHCA Mechanical & Electrical equipment/fixtures not related to support of room shall not pass through Circuits serving rooms shall be dedicated to room Reliable cooling required (emergency power) Be careful of location Try to avoid elec rooms as conduits cannot pass through the room

FBC 419.3.15.2 Where additions are constructed to existing buildings, the existing building s lightning protection system, if connected to the new lightning protection system, shall be inspected and brought into compliance with current standards. For Addition projects, Must meet this if you connect new LPS to existing system, or Provide independent LPS for new building addition

There are many issues with using Power Strips in OR environment: Loss of load control (too much equipment on one circuit) Circumvents FBC circuiting requirements (no more than 2 receptacles/circuit) Loss of redundant grounding in Critical Care area Affects access to patient Creates a trip hazard

Power strips should not be used in the OR See NFPA 99, 8.4.1.2.4 (6) The attachment plug (for equipment) shall be inserted only in a fixed approved receptacle This is an issue AHCA is reviewing in more detail.

For now, follow CMS Requirements: Power strips may not be used as a substitute for adequate electrical outlets in a facility. Power strips may be used for a computer, monitor, and printer. Power strips are not designed to be used with medical devices in patient care areas. Precautions needed if power strips are used include: installing internal ground fault and over-current protection devices; preventing cords from becoming tripping hazards; and using power strips that are adequate for the number and types of devices used. Overload on any circuit can potentially cause overheating and fire.

Radiology wiring separation Separation among wiring still required in troughs, conduits, etc. to the equipment 300V vs. 600V vs. 30V vs. Class 2 wire, etc. Don t let vendor tell you it s listed to be together Where necessary, use of rated sleeve material can be used to separate wiring as needed

NRTL Listings needed on equipment Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program See www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/ CE is not an NRTL Class 1 vs. Class 2 wiring Class 1 circuits need overcurrent protection; same wiring requirements as power circuits Class 2 circuits no external overcurrent protection needed Class 1 and Class 2 wiring must be separated from each other and from power wiring

449.3.11.11 All receptacles shall have engraved cover plates to indicate the panel board and circuit numbers powering the device. 449.3.11.12 Branch circuit over-current devices shall be readily accessible to nursing staff and other authorized personnel. 449.3.11.13 The electrical system shall have coordinated short circuit protection.

449.3.12.1 Fire Alarm Systems. A fire alarm annunciator panel shall be provided at a 24-hour monitored location. The panel shall indicate the zone of actuation of the alarm, and there shall be a trouble signal indicator. Each smoke compartment shall be annunciated as a separate fire alarm zone. A fire alarm system zone shall not include rooms or spaces in other smoke compartments and shall be limited to a maximum area of 22,500 square feet (2,090 sm) 449.3.14.8 Transfer switch contacts shall be of the open type and shall be accessible for inspection and replacement.

449.3.15.6 All low-voltage system main or branch circuits entering or exiting the structure shall have surge suppressors installed for each pair of conductors and shall have visual indication for protector failure to the maximum extent feasible. 449.4.2.9.1.5 Electric lighting required to provide care and service to the patient occupied areas and the necessary patient support areas shall be connected to the essential electrical system.

449.4.2.9.5 All panel boards, transfer switches, disconnect switches, enclosed circuit breakers or emergency system raceway systems required to support the occupied patient area(s), patient support area(s) or support utilities shall be contained within a protected area(s) designed and constructed to meet the structural requirements of the code and debris impact requirements of Sections 1626.2 through 1626.4, and shall not rely on systems or devices outside of this protected area(s) for their reliability or continuation of service. The equipment system shall be kept entirely independent of all other wiring and equipment and shall not enter the same raceways, boxes, or cabinets with other wiring.

449.4.2.9.7 If the facility does not have a permanent onsite optional stand-by generator to operate the normal branch electrical system, there shall be a permanently installed predesigned electrical service entry for the normal branch electrical system that will allow a quick connection to a temporary electrical generator. This quick connection shall be installed inside of a permanent metal enclosure rated for this purpose and may be located on the exterior of the building.