Change Summary

• The minimum number of receptacles required in a general care patient bed location has increased to eight
• These receptacles are required to be listed and identified as “hospital grade” and connected to an insulated copper equipment grounding conductor
• The first sentence in 517.18(B) has been revised by changing the word “four” to “eight.”

Expert Analysis

The minimum number of receptacles required in a general care patient bed location has been four for several years. This revision increases the minimum number required to align with the NFPA 99 standard. Advances in medical technology have resulted in more medial appliances and equipment being utilized in general care patient bed locations to provide necessary care. The NFPA 99-2012 Health Care Facilities Code has been revised by increasing the number of receptacles in general patient care bed locations. This revision in 517.18(B) aligns with Section 6.3.2.2.6.2 (A) of NFPA 99. A minimum of eight receptacles must now be installed in general care patient bed locations and they must be listed “hospital grade” and so identified. The equipment grounding conductor connected to the grounding terminal of these receptacles is required to be insulated, copper and sized in accordance with Table 250.122. Each general care patient bed location must be provided with a minimum of two branch circuits, one from the normal system and one from the critical branch. All normal system branch circuits must originate from the same panelboard. This revision brings the 2014 NEC current with NFPA 99-2012 relative to the minimum number of receptacles required at general care patient bed location.
 

Hospital Grade Receptacles

For patient care areas Leviton offers Extra Heavy-Duty Hospital Grade Receptacles.