Standby Generator not required

[cestone]

I hope some of you can please clarify Articles 700, 701 and 702 for me if you would be so kind.

I have people in my firm telling me that when I design the electrical systems in a facility that has a standby generator requested by the Owner, but the facility is NOT required by any Code rules in IBC, NFPA or NEC to have a generator at all, the generator power distribution doesn’t have to comply with the NEC at all.

They prohibit me from using the term “emergency” anywhere on the electrical drawings, because they are concerned the City electrical inspector will enforce Article 700, if I call it Normal and Emergency Distribution System.

They classify the standby generator power distribution as “optional” since no Code rule requires a generator at the facility. They contend that all electrical systems that are served by the standby generator can be all on just one ATS.

I contend, if a generator is provided and there are electrical systems connected to that generator, then the generator power distribution must comply with the applicable articles in the NEC.

The Owner requires much of his commercial kitchen to be powered by the generator to provide food during the power outage and lighting in the dining room. The freezer and cooler must be on the generator to protect the food from spoiling.

I have researched from this website and others, Article 701 doesn’t serve the purpose of protecting human life, but to supply power to loads that would create a hazard or impede rescue operations, i.e. communications, public address system, area of rescue locations within the building. Article 700 would apply to systems or equipment required to protect people trying to evacuate from the building, i.e. egress lighting, exit lighting, fire alarm system, elevators and automatic doors used for egress. Article 702 would apply to the loads in the kitchen to maintain operation and protect the loss of food during an extended power outage, power to heating and cooling to the main dining room only.

So my question is this, if no Code rule requires a standby generator in a building, but I have various electrical systems that appears would have to comply with Article 700, 701 and 702 and that appears to require three different ATS, what NEC Article would allow all these various electrical systems to be served by only one ATS and is Article 702 the only Code rule that I should be concerned with when a standby generator is provided to a building that isn't required to have a standby generator?

Thank you so very much for the feedback

 

[ASG]

Where is this? Your AHJ might require any optional generator to serve certain areas once it is installed.

 

[JES2727]

Swimming pools aren't required either, but that doesn't mean you can disregard Art. 680 if you decide to put one in.
If the system you're asking about is not required by "municipal, state, federal, or other codes, or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction" then you've got an optional standby system and you must follow Art. 702. You don't even need to read Art. 700 & 701. And you shouldn't call it an "emergency" system.

 

[cestone]

Standby Generator not required

No requirements by municipal, state, federal, or other codes, or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction.

Why would calling it "emergency" make any difference if it's a optional generator by Code?

 

[rbalex]

"Emergency" tends to raise an unnecessary flag; however, Art 702 still applies and through it the rest of the NEC (Section 702.3).

How anyone could come to the conclusion that simply because something is not a required feature of an electrical system exempts it from the Purpose (Section 90.1) and Scope (Section 90.2) of the NEC is beyond me.

 

[ceb58]

"Emergency" tends to raise an unnecessary flag; however, Art 702 still applies and through it the rest of the NEC (Section 702.3).

How anyone could come to the conclusion that simply because something is not a required feature of an electrical system exempts it from the Purpose (Section 90.1) and Scope (Section 90.2) of the NEC is beyond me.

Agree, if you look at 700.1 and 701.2 they will give a broad definition of what is required. 702.2 will give its definition for a optional system. Which is what you would have. As far as the word "emergency" it is something that has grown to be use to describe generators and their propose. But for a code and official documents the wording needs to be correct as to which systen is to be installed. Also you need to have "THEY" read 702.3 All code reference are 2008