Hospitals have a Code mandated requirement to segregate their electrical power systems into four branches; Life Safety, Critical, Equipment and Normal loads. This can be a significant undertaking at existing facilities and is often not required. In the case of this project, our client adopted this mandate and decided to put all loads on generator power upon failure of the Utility power. We created two projects to address the requirements and separate the loads into Life Safety, Critical and Non-Essential loads.
In Phase I we replaced the existing 250KW generator. We provided for a new remote generator annunciator panel, and a new generator distribution panel fed from the generator with circuit breakers that will individually feed the Life Safety branch, Critical branch and the non-essential branch automatic transfer switches. We also designed a new 2-hour fire rated electrical closet to house the new equipment. At the conclusion of Phase I, all equipment was in place for the future re-wiring of the circuits.
In Phase II, through significant field investigation and client input, we categorized the building electrical circuits into the three branches in accordance with NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2017 Edition, Subsection 517 Health Care Facilities, Subsection 700 Emergency System, and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2012 Edition. We identified the most practical approach to recircuit all existing loads and meet the intent of the Code without having to re-wire the entire hospital.