517.10(B) Not Covered.
Code Change Summary: New code language clarifies additional areas that are not covered in Part II of Article 517.
The general rule in 517.10(A) requires the wiring methods and protection rules in Part II of Article 517 to apply to patient care spaces of all health care facilities. The intent is to provide the safest environment to a patient who may be incapable of self-preservation or hooked up to medical equipment that is connected to electricity.
Some inspectors require the strict wiring and protection rules in Part II of Article 517 to be applied to any location where a “patient” is treated or examined regardless of the type of medical practice or procedure involved. Not all areas or examinations involve a patient being rendered incapable of self-preservation. Additionally, not all examinations or procedures involve a patient being hooked up to electrically connected medical equipment.
In the 2020 NEC®, language was accepted to provide relief from the wiring and protection rules in Part II of Article 517 for areas such as pharmacies giving flu shots, rooms where patients see their Psychiatrist and eye exam rooms.
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 2020 NEC® edition of NFPA 70.
2017 Code Language:
517.10 Applicability.
(A) Applicability. Part II shall apply to patient care space of all health care facilities.
(B) Not Covered. Part II shall not apply to the following:
(1) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms, and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices, and outpatient facilities
(2) Areas of nursing homes and limited care facilities wired in accordance with Chapters 1 through 4 of this Code where these areas are used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms
2020 Code Language:
Part II. Wiring and Protection
517.10 Applicability.
(A) Applicability. Part II shall apply to patient care space of all health care facilities.
(B) Not Covered. Part II shall not apply to the following:
(1) Business offices, corridors, waiting rooms, and the like in clinics, medical and dental offices, and outpatient facilities
(2) Areas of nursing homes and limited care facilities wired in accordance with Chapters 1 through 4 of this Code where these areas are used exclusively as patient sleeping rooms
(3) Areas used exclusively for any of the following purposes:
a. Intramuscular injections (immunizations)
b. Psychiatry and psychotherapy
c. Alternative medicine
d. Optometry