Code Change Summary: A new definition was added to Article 517.

The definition of a Governing Body was added to Article 517. A Governing body is the person or persons who have the overall legal responsibility for the operation of a health care facility. At first it sounds rather insignificant but in actuality it is of great importance to the electrician, inspector, design engineer and plans examiner.

In the 2014 NEC^®, there were two references to a Governing body in Article 517 which were only found in the informational notes. These previous references mentioned that the governing Body has specific responsibilities but never actually defined who the Governing Body really was. This created confusion as to who actually decides which areas of a health care facility are considered patient care spaces. Is it the job of the local inspection department since they could be considered a governing body?

In the 2017 NEC^®, the new definition makes it clear that the governing Body is NOT the inspection department. Great liability exists in determining which areas of a health care facility are patient care areas or which receptacles are considered the “selected receptacles” for the Critical branch. These decisions are made by the “Governing Body”.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2017 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.