Rob1
Member
- Location
- Wyoming, Michigan, U.S.A.
Chapter 7 requirements for Generators which feed both Emergency Egress lighting (covered by Section 700) and other non-emergency loads, including Legally required loads (Section 701) and optional (Section 702) are not consistent with requirements for the similar situation for Nursing Homes and Limited Care Facilities (Section 517.40) in the following way:
For gensets under 150 KW, a Health Care Facility covered by 517.40 can install one transfer switch for all load types.
For all gensets used in any other occupancy, if you have Emergency Lighting on the genset (the most common load) and you have other required or not required loads you want on the genset, you MUST install two transfer switches.
Code Suggestion:
Clarify in the Code why this is because it seems counter intuitive, OR make them the same. Why is it Okay for a Nursing Home or Limited Care facility to have it's lighting (or Life Safety related emergency loads) connected in a less reliable way than other occupancy types? Why not have the 150KW exception for all occupancies or require two switches for all occupancies.
Also, clarify that Section 700 applies to all lighting on a genset put in to meet the requirements of emergency egress lighting in the building code. Too many people assume that this lighting is covered by Section 701 including inspectors who rarely enforce the duel transfer switch requirement caused by Section 705(D)
For gensets under 150 KW, a Health Care Facility covered by 517.40 can install one transfer switch for all load types.
For all gensets used in any other occupancy, if you have Emergency Lighting on the genset (the most common load) and you have other required or not required loads you want on the genset, you MUST install two transfer switches.
Code Suggestion:
Clarify in the Code why this is because it seems counter intuitive, OR make them the same. Why is it Okay for a Nursing Home or Limited Care facility to have it's lighting (or Life Safety related emergency loads) connected in a less reliable way than other occupancy types? Why not have the 150KW exception for all occupancies or require two switches for all occupancies.
Also, clarify that Section 700 applies to all lighting on a genset put in to meet the requirements of emergency egress lighting in the building code. Too many people assume that this lighting is covered by Section 701 including inspectors who rarely enforce the duel transfer switch requirement caused by Section 705(D)