BOAF Interpretations

Interpretation #5319

Original Request

Date: September 17, 2007
Requested By: Jonathan Peer
Requester E-Mail: jpeer@capecoral.net
Code Version: 2004
Code: ELECTRIC
Code Description: Electrical
Chapter: 5
Section: 517.13(A)
Topic: Redundant Grounding
Question: Is it the intent of NEC 517.13(A)to exempt individual patient care areas from redundant grounding if the facility can not treat four or more persons? Comment: NFPA 101 defines a Health Care Occupancy as a place that has four or more individual patient treatment or care areas. I have someone who has brought to light the point that since the unit in question is classified as an "office" by NFAP 101, since it only has three treatment or care areas, that it is exempt from the grounding requirements of NEC 517.13(A).

Answer on 09/17/2007 at 8:36 AM

No. Patient Care Areas are defined in Article 517.2 of The
Natioanl Electrical Code, NFPA 70. The definition for
Health Care Occupancy in NFPA 101 has nothing to do with a
patient care area. If the room meets the definition of a
patient care area of 517.2 of the 2005 NEC, than it
applies.

Commentary:

None

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