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Thursday, August 4, 2022

Question:

Good Morning CQD.

Recently there have been new rules added to Article 517 regarding the minimum number of receptacles required for an operating room in a health care facility. Our question is how many are now required and does this apply to existing operating rooms that were in service before the change and continue to be in service?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Sal Burke

A

Answer:

Hi Sal,

Great questions. You are correct in that there are now a minimum of 36 receptacles required for an operating room. See Section 517.19(C). As far as the second question, the NEC is generally not retroactive, in that those installations done in compliance with the latest editions are generally treated as existing and allowed to remain without having to upgrade to current NEC requirements. However, it is always a good idea in cases like this to consult with both the authority having jurisdiction and the governing body of the health care facility for specific requirements that may be more restrictive than the NEC.

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