HomeMy WebLinkAboutAddtl. Items 8-10-2005 ?ACEA
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ov Date: August 30, 2005 FILE CII:' ',1
To: Bennett Boucher, City Manager
Susan Stills, City Clerk
From: Bea McNeely, Chairperson, Planning & Zoning Board
Re: Recommendation to City Council Regarding Proposed
Ordinance Regulating Pad Mounted Generators
By unanimous vote the Planning & Zoning Board recommended
approval of the attached proposed ordinance.
Please schedule this item on an upcoming City Council meeting
agenda.
105 Polk Avenue • Post Office Box 326 • Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1222 • SUNCOM: 982-1222 • FAX: (321) 868-1247
www.myflorida.com/cape • email: ccapecanaveral@cfl.rr.com
ORDINANCE NO. 15-2005
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, AMENDING ZONING
SETBACK ENCROACHMENT EXCEPTIONS;
PROVIDING FOR RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY PAD
MOUNTED GENERATORS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL
OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS, INCORPORATION INTO THE CODE,
SEVERABILITY, AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City is granted the authority, under Section 2(b), Article VIII of the
State constitution, to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly
prohibited by law; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that as a result of the recent hurricanes, power
outages have become a public safety concern; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds residential emergency pad mounted generators can
be installed and provide homeowners with energy for the entire house in case of a power outage;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds residential emergency pad mounted generators
require regulation in order to protect the public safety; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that under the current code, many residences will be
unable to install a residential emergency pad mounted generator due to minimum building
setback lines; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds that this ordinance is necessary to protect
public safety and permit residential emergency pad mounted generators that meet specific
regulations in the side setback of residential areas; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral finds that this Ordinance is
in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Cape Canaveral.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County, Florida, as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference
as legislative findings and the intent and purpose of the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral.
Section 2. Code Amendment. That Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Cape
Canaveral, Florida, is hereby amended as follows: (underlined type indicates additions and
strikeout type indicates deletions, while asterisks (* * *) indicate a deletion from this Ordinance
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance 15-2005
Page 1 of 4
of text existing in Chapter 110. It is intended that the text in Chapter 110 denoted by the
asterisks and set forth in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged from the language existing prior
to adoption of this Ordinance).
CHAPTER 110. ZONING
* * *
ARTICLE IX. SUPPLEMENTARY DISTRICT REGULATIONS
* * *
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
* * *
Sec. 110-484. Residential emergency pad mounted generators.
(� The term "residential emergency pad mounted generators" ("REPMG") shall
mean the residential, noncommercial use of a ground mounted residential standby
generator system to be utilized in emergency power outage situations.
lk This section refers to REPMGs serving public or private facilities where life
safety does not depend on the performance of the system.
(c1 All REPMG units and installations must meet all the requirements of this Code, as
well as all other appropriate technical codes and any applicable manufacturer
specifications.
fill The REPMG may only be used in emergency situations where there is a power
outage.
(e) Testing, diagnostic and maintenance procedures may only occur during daylight
hours between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM at a maximum of once per week.
�f Installation of an REPMG shall comply with the following restrictions:
(1) A permit shall be obtained from the building official prior to any
installation.
(2) The installation shall meet all applicable building, electrical and
technical codes.
Lai The REPMG shall not encroach more than five and one-half
(51/2) feet into any required setback, and in no case shall be any
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance 15-2005
Page 2 of 4
closer than two and one-half(21/2 ) feet from any property line,
fence or other structure.
(4) The REPMG shall not be installed in an easement.
The REPMG shall be fastened to a minimum three and one-half
(31/2) inch thick concrete pad or manufacturer-approved pad.
(6) Exhaust termination shall be located as prescribed within the
technical codes referenced in Chapter 82 of this Code.
(7) The REPMG shall be situated near the existing electrical service
entrance of the residence and screened from public view.
al Permanent signage shall be placed at the service entrance
equipment indicating the type and location of the REPMG.
For REPMGs that produce a carbon-type exhaust, a permanently
wired carbon type exhaust sensor, with a battery back-up, shall
be located within the residence served. The location shall be
approved by the building official.
(10) One side setback on the property shall remain open space in
accordance with this Code.
Secs. 110 484 110 490. Reserved.
Secs. 110-485-110-490. Reserved.
DIVISION 5. SETBACKS
Sec. 110-538. Encroachments.
Every part of every required setback shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to
the sky, except as follows or as otherwise permitted in this chapter:
* * *
(15) Residential emergency pad mounted generators as provided for in section 110-
484.
* * *
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance 15-2005
Page 3 of 4
Section 3. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Ordinances and Resolutions. All prior
inconsistent ordinances and resolutions adopted by the City Council, or parts of prior ordinances
and resolutions in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Section 4. Incorporation Into Code. This Ordinance shall be incorporated into the Cape
Canaveral City Code and any section or paragraph number or letter and any heading may be
changed or modified as necessary to effectuate the foregoing.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or
provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, whether for substantive, procedural, or any other reason, such portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, this day
of , 2005.
ROCKY RANDELS, Mayor
ATTEST: For Against
Burt Bruns
Bob Hoog
Jim Morgan
Buzz Petsos
SUSAN STILLS, City Clerk Rocky Randels
First Reading:
Legal Ad published:
Second Reading:
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for
the City of Cape Canaveral only:
ANTHONY A. GARGANESE, City Attorney
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance 15-2005
Page 4 of 4
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y
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 24, 2005
A Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board was held on August 24, 2005, at the
City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Board Chairperson Bea
McNeely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Secretary called the roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bea McNeely Chairperson
Leo Nicholas Vice Chairperson
John Fredrickson
Donald Dunn 1st Alternate
Alice Filteau
MEMBERS ABSENT
Lamar Russell
Shawn Schaffner 2nd Alternate
OTHERS PRESENT
Susan Chapman Board Secretary
Todd Peetz City Planner
Kate Latorre Assistant City Attorney
Rocky Randels Mayor
Robert Hoog Mayor Pro Tern
Todd Morley Building Official
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: August 10, 2005.
Motion by Donald Dunn, seconded by John Fredrickson, to approve the meeting minutes
of August 10, 2005, as presented. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
2. Discussion Re: Pad-Mounted Generators —Anthony Garganese, City Attorney.
Todd Morley, Building Official, gave an overview of the proposed ordinance. Discussion
was held regarding: fuel storage; measuring noise decibels; types of acceptable pads;
exhaust; vents; carbon monoxide sensors; distance of encroachment into the required
setback; placement of a generator from any structure, fence, or property line; and
location of piping and wiring. The Board members made numerous changes to the draft
ordinance.
Motion by John Fredrickson, seconded by Leo Nicholas, to recommend approval of the
draft ordinance with the changes as discussed. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Type: Planning&Zoning
Meeting Date: 8/24/05
AGENDA
Heading Review&Recommend
Ordinance Pad Mounted
Generators
Item #2
No.
AGENDA REPORT
PLANNING& ZONING BOARD
THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
SUBJECT: Pad-Mounted Generators
DEPT./DIVISION: Building Department
Requested Action:
Review and Recommend to City Council an Ordinance regarding Pad-Mounted Generators.
Summary Explanation&Background:
Homeowner's are requesting pad-mounted generators that when installed may encroach into the setback. The Cape Canaveral Fire
Department supports both the use and encroachment. The City Attorney and Building Official crafted ordinance language to provide
for safe and efficient consideration of pad-mounted generators.
Exhibits Attached:
A) Draft Ordinance
City Planner's Office Department:
Draft 8-8-05
ORDINANCE NO. -2005
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, AMENDING ZONING
SETBACK ENCROACHMENT EXCEPTIONS;
PROVIDING FOR RESIDENTIAL EMERGENCY PAD
MOUNTED GENERATORS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL
OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND
RESOLUTIONS, INCORPORATION INTO THE CODE,
SEVERABILITY,AND EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City is granted the authority, under Section 2(b), Article VIII of the
State constitution, to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly
prohibited by law; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that as a result of the recent"hurricanes, power
outages have become a public safety concern;and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds residential emergency pad mounted generators can
be installed and provide homeowners with energy for the entire house in case of a power outage;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds residential emergency pad mounted generators
require regulation in order to protect the public safety; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that under the current code many residences will be
unable to install a residential emergency pad mounted generator due to minimum building
setback lines; and
WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds that this ordinance is necessary to protect
public safety and permit residential emergency pad mounted generators that meet specific
regulations in the side setback of residential areas; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral finds that this Ordinance is
in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Cape Canaveral.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County,Florida, as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference
as legislative findings and the intent and purpose of the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance_-2005
Page 1 of 4
Section 2. Code Amendment. That Chapter 110 of the Code of Ordinances, City of Cape
Canaveral, Florida, is hereby amended as follows: (underlined type indicates additions and
stlikeeut type indicates deletions, while asterisks (* * *) indicate a deletion from this Ordinance
of text existing in Chapter 110. It is intended that the text in Chapter 110 denoted by the
asterisks and set forth in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged from the language existing prior
to adoption of this Ordinance).
CHAPTER 110. ZONING
***
Sec. 110-484. Residential emergency pad mounted generators.
(a) The term "residential emergency pad mounted generators ("REPMG")" shall
mean the residential, noncommercial use of a ground mounted residential standby
generator system to be utilized in emergency power outage situations.
(b) This section refers to REPMGs serving public or private facilities where life
safety does not depend on the performance of the system.
(c) All REPMG units and installations must meet all the requirements of the Code,
the National Electrical Code, and all other appropriate technical codes.
(d) The REPMG may only be used in emergency situations where there is a power
outage.
(e) Testing, diagnostic and maintenance procedures may only occur during daylight
hours between 8:00am and 5:00pm at a maximum of once per week.
(f) The REPMG shall not emit a noise level greater than 70 decibels measured at the
nearest property line.
(g) Installation of an REPMG shall comply with the following restrictions:
(1) A permit shall be obtained from the Building Official prior to
any installation.
(2) The installation shall meet all applicable building, electrical and
technical codes.
(3) The REPMG shall not encroach more than four (4) feet into any
required set back.
(4) The REPMG shall not be installed in an easement.
(5) The REPMG shall be fastened to a minimum three and one-half
(3-%Z)inch thick concrete pad,poured in place.
(6) Exhaust termination shall be located as prescribed within the
technical codes referenced in Chapter 82 of this Code.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance_-2005
Page 2 of 4
(7) The REPMG shall be situated near the existing electrical service
entrance of the residence and screened from public view.
(8) Permanent signage shall be placed at the service entrance
equipment indicating the type and location of the REPMG.
(9) For generators which produce a carbon-type type exhaust, a
permanently wired carbon type exhaust sensor, with a battery
back-up., shall be located within the residence served. The
location shall be approved by the Building Official.
(10) One side set back on the property shall remain open space in
accordance with the Code.
Secs. 110 484 110 490. Reserved.
Secs. 110-485-110-490. Reserved.
***
Sec. 110-538. Encroachments.
Every part of every required setback shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to
the sky, except as follows or as otherwise permitted in this chapter:
(15)Residential emergency pad mounted generators as provided for in section 110-484.
***
Section 3. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Ordinances and Resolutions. All prior
inconsistent ordinances and resolutions adopted by the City Council, or parts of prior ordinances
and resolutions in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Section 4. Incorporation Into Code. This Ordinance shall be incorporated into the Cape
Canaveral City Code and any section or paragraph number or letter and any heading may be
changed or modified as necessary to effectuate the foregoing. Grammatical, typographical, and
like errors may be corrected and additions, alterations, and omissions, not affecting the
construction or meaning of this ordinance and the City Code may be freely made.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or
provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, whether for substantive, procedural, or any other reason, such portion
shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect
the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance_-2005
Page 3 of 4
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral,Florida.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral,Florida,this day
of ,2005.
ROCKY RANDELS,Mayor
ATTEST: For Against
Burt Bruns
Bob bog
Jim Morgan
Buzz Petsos
SUSAN STILLS, City Clerk Rocky Randels
First Reading:
Legal Ad published:
Second Reading:
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for
the City of Cape Canaveral only:
ANTHONY A. GARGANESE,City Attorney
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance_-2005
Page 4 of 4
;$4 CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
Call Of
a•ra CaMIAAI/L
BILE
Memo �
Date: July 27, 2005
To: Anthony Garganese, City Attorney
From: Todd Morley, Building Official
RE: Residential emergency pad-mounted generators
Anthony,
I've had an opportunity to review the draft ordinance regarding generators.
My general comments:
We should mention that REMPG's must meet all the requirements of this article,the National Electrical Code-Article 702
(Optional Standby Systems) and all other appropriate technical codes.
I think that we should specify that we are talking about REPMG's serving public or private facilities where life safety does
not depend on the performance of the system.
Should it be mentioned that a REPMG may not be installed in an easement?
How about noise standards?
My technical comments:
1 l0-484(b)(3)should be stricken as conflicting. It says only an electrician can pull the permit. State law already provides
that a licensed electrician or owner/builder may obtain a permit for regulated electrical work.
110-484(b)(5)should be replaced with: Exhaust termination shall be located as prescribed within the technical codes
referenced in Ch. 82.
1 l0-484(b)(6)should be modified as follows: The REPMG shall be situated near existing electrical and gas meters on
property to the extent feasible as near as possible to the electrical service entrance of the structure served and screened
from public view. Permanent signage shall be placed at the service entrance equipment indicating the type and location of
the REPMG.
110-484(b)(7)should be replaced with: A permanently wired and battery backed-up carbon type exhaust sensor shall be
located within the structure served. The location shall be approved by the Building Official.
110-484(b)(8)is a can of worms. We may find that one side of the property cannot be left open without requiring that an
owner move the A/C condensing unit This issue needs some more public input.
110-484(c)(1)should be modified. The sizes given are too small. We should only regulate how far a REPMG may
encroach into a required setback.
110-484(c)(2)should be stricken. Why do we care what it weighs?
110-484(c)(3)should be stricken. I understand that the only currently available REPMG's all operate on natural or
petroleum-based fuel. Do we mean to criminalize an alternative fuel source? If a product comes out that utilises cat urine
for fuel, shouldn't we just require that it meet the applicable UL, ANSI and ASTM standards required in the technical
codes? We'll leave the environmental impact issues to the independent testing labs required in those standards.
110-484(c)(4)should be stricken. The electrical code already requires transfer switches for all generators(in the electrical
code, these generators are referred to as prime movers).
110-484(c)(5)should consider that the electrical code already requires"periodic testing on a schedule acceptable to the
authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition". I think perhaps the City
should consider requiring a range of time. Maybe a bi-monthly to weekly schedule?
110-484(d)(1)should be stricken as unnecessary and possibly conflicting. The electrical code requires that"the authority
having jurisdiction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation..." It is at this test that the
inspector will approve or deny the system.
110-484(d)(2)should be stricken because the electrical code covers the various ways in which they may be started.
110-484(d)(3)should be modified to read: "The REPMG may only be used' when there is a
power outage . .. . . ... .. . • . .. - . •- . .. - .... .... ,
Otherwise,this would seem to criminalize someone whose generator kicks on because of a motorist hitting a utility pole
down the street. ...Arguably not an emergency and definitely caused by another individual.
ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS 70-555
Chapter 7 Special Conditions
700.4 Tests and Maintenance.
ARTICLE 700
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having juris-
Emergency Systems diction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete sys-
tem upon installation and periodically afterward.
I. General (B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodi-
700.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the Cally on a schedule acceptable to the authority having ju
electrical safety of the installation, operation, and mainte- risdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper
nance of emergency systems consisting of circuits and operating condition.
equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control elec- (C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where battery sys-
tricity for illumination,power, or both, to required facilities tems or unit equipments are involved, including batteries rage
when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted. used for starting, control, or ignition in auxiliary engines, 55
5
Emergency systems are those systems legally required the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic
and classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or maintenance.
other codes, or by any governmental agency having juris-
diction.These systems are intended to automatically supply (D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept of
illumination, power, or both, to designated areas and equip- such tests and maintenance.
ment in the event of failure of the normal supply or in the (E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing all emergency
event of accident to elements of a system intended to sup- lighting and power systems during maximum anticipated
ply, distribute, and control power and illumination essential load conditions shall be provided.
for safety to human life. FPN: For testing and maintenance procedures of emer-
FPN No. 1: For further information regarding wiring and gency power supply systems(EPSSs),see NFPA 110-1999,
installation of emergency systems in health care facilities, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
see Article 517.
700.5 Capacity.
FPN No. 2: For further information regarding perfor-
mance and maintenance of emergency systems in health (A) Capacity and Rating. An emergency system shall
care facilities, see NFPA 99-1999, Standard.for Health have adequate capacity and rating for all loads to be oper-
Care Facilities. ated simultaneously. The emergency system equipment
FPN No. 3: Emergency systems are generally installed in shall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at
places of assembly where artificial illumination is required its terminals.
for safe exiting and for panic control in buildings subject to
occupancy by large numbers of persons, such as hotels, (B) Selective Load Pickup, Load Shedding, and Peak
theaters, sports arenas, health care facilities, and similar Load Shaving.The alternate power source shall be permit-
institutions. Emergency systems may also provide power ted to supply emergency, legally required standby, op-
for such functions as ventilation where essential to maintain pp y g y y p
life,fire detection and alarm systems,elevators,fire pumps, tional standby system loads where automatic selective load
public safety communications systems,industrial processes pickup and load shedding is provided as needed to ensure
where current interruption would produce serious life adequate power to (1) the emergency circuits, (2) the le-
safety or health hazards, and similar functions. gaily required standby circuits,and(3) the optional standby
FPN No. 4: For specification of locations where emer- circuits, in that order of priority.The alternate power source
gency lighting is considered essential to life safety, see shall be permitted to be used for peak load shaving, pro-
NFPA 101®-2000,Life Safety Code®. vided the above conditions are met.
FPN No. 5: For further information regarding perfor- Peak load-shaving operation shall be permitted for sat-
mance of emergency and standby power systems, see isfying the test requirement of 700.4(B), provided all other
NFPA 110-1999, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. conditions of 700.4 are met.
A portable or temporary alternate source shall be avail-
700.2 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified able whenever the emergency generator is out of service for
by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall major maintenance or repair.
apply. 700.6 Transfer Equipment.
700.3 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap- (A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
proved for use on emergency systems. transfer switches, shall be automatic, identified for emer-
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
I
70-556 ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
gency use, and approved by the authority having jurisdic- (B) Grounding. Where the grounded circuit conductor
tion. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to connected to the emergency source is connected to a
prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and grounding electrode conductor at a location remote from
emergency sources.of supply in any operation of the trans- the emergency source, there shall be a sign at the grounding
fer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power pro- , location that shall identify all emergency and normal
duction systems installed to permit operation in parallel sources connected at that location.
with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Ar-
ticle 705.
IL Circuit Wiring
(B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means shall be permitted 700.9 Wiring, Emergency System.
to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass
isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation (A) Identification. All boxes and enclosures (including
shall be avoided. transfer switches, generators, and power panels) for emer-
gency circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be
NEC (C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer
2002 readily identified as a component of an emergency circuit
switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically or system.
held.
(B) Wiring. Wiring of two or more emergency circuits
(D) Use. Transfer equipment shall supply only emergency supplied from the same source shall be permitted in the
loads. same raceway,cable,box,or cabinet.Wiring from an emer-
gency source or emergency source distribution overcurrent
700.7 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be protection to emergency loads shall be kept entirely inde-
provided, where practicable, for the purpose described in pendent of all other wiring and equipment,unless otherwise
700.7(A) through (D). permitted in (1) through (4):
(A) Derangement. To indicate derangement of the emer (1) Wiring from the normal power source located in trans-
gency source. fer equipment enclosures
(2) Wiring supplied from two sources in exit or emergency
(B) Carrying Load.To indicate that the battery is carrying luminaires (lighting fixtures)
load. (3) Wiring from two sources in a common junction box,
attached to exit or emergency luminaires (lighting fix-
(C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger tures)
is not functioning. (4) Wiring within a common junction box attached to unit
equipment, containing only the branch circuit supply-
(D) Ground Fault. To indicate a ground fault in solidly ing the unit equipment and the emergency circuit sup-
grounded wye emergency systems of more than 150 volts plied by the unit equipment
to ground and circuit-protective devices rated 1000 am-
peres or more. The sensor for the ground-fault signal de- (C) Wiring Design and Location. Emergency wiring cir-
vices shall be located at, or ahead of, the main system cuits shall be designed and located so as to minimize the
disconnecting means for the emergency source, and the hazards that might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing,
maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a vandalism, and other adverse conditions.
ground-fault current of 1200 amperes. Instructions on the
course of action to be taken in event of indicated ground (D) Fire Protection. Emergency systems shall meet the
fault shall be located at or near the sensor location. following additional requirements in assembly occupancies
for not less than 1000 persons or in buildings above 23 m
FPN: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-1999, (75 ft) in height with any of the following occupancy
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. classes: assembly, educational, residential, detention and
correctional, business, and mercantile.
700.8 Signs.
(1) Feeder-Circuit Wiring. Feeder-circuit wiring shall
(A) Emergency Sources. A sign shall be placed at the meet one of the following conditions:
service entrance equipment indicating type and location of
on-site emergency power sources. (1) Be installed with buildings that are fully protected by
an approved automatic fire suppression system
Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit (2) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
equipment as specified in 700.12(E). minimum 1-hour fire rating
2002 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS 70-557
(3) Be protected by a listed thermal barrier system for elec- FPN No. 2: Assignment of degree of reliability of the
trical system components recognized emergency supply system depends on the care-
(4) Be protected by a fire-rated assembly listed to achieve ful evaluation of the variables at each particular
installation.
a minimum fire rating of 1 hour
• (5) Be embedded in not less than 50 mm(2 in.)of concrete (A) Storage Battery. Storage batteries used as a source of
(6) Be a cable listed to maintain circuit integrity for not power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating and
less than 1 hour when installed in accordance with the capacity to supply and maintain the total load for a period
listing requirements of 1' hours minimum, without the voltage applied to the
load falling below 871/2 percent of normal.
(2) Feeder-Circuit Equipment. Equipment for feeder cir- Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be
cuits (including transfer switches, transformers, and panel- designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emer-
boards) shall be located either in spaces fully protected by gency service and shall be compatible with the charger for
approved automatic fire suppression systems (including that particular installation.
sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems) or in spaces with a For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
1-hour fire resistance rating. to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
FPN: For the definition of occupancy class, see 4.1 of requires water additions, transparent or translucent jars
NFPA 101-2000, Life Safety Code. shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be
used.
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
III. Sources of Power
700.12 General Requirements. Current supply shall be (B) Generator Set.
such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or (1) Prime Mover-Driven. For a generator set driven by a
within, the building or group of buildings concerned, emer- prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
gency lighting, emergency power, or both shall be available and sized in accordance with 700.5, means shall be pro-
within the time required for the application but not to ex- vided for automatically starting the prime mover on failure
ceed 10 seconds. The supply system for emergency pur- of the normal service and for automatic transfer and opera-
poses, in addition to the normal services to the building and tion of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay feature
meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid
one or more of the types of systems described in 700.12(A) retransfer in case of short-time reestablishment of the nor-
through (D). Unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(E) mal source.
shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting an emergency source of power, consider- (2) Internal Combustion as Prime Movers. Where inter-
ation shall be given to the occupancy and the type of ser- nal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an
vice to be rendered, whether of minimum duration, as for
on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an on premise
evacuation of a theater, or longer duration, as for supplying fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours'full-demand
emergency power and lighting due to an indefinite period operation of the system. Where power is needed for the
of current failure from trouble either inside or outside the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a
building. generator set day tank, this pump shall be connected to the
Equipment shall be designed and located to minimize emergency power system.
the hazards that might cause complete failure due to flood- (3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely Be-
ing, fires, icing, and vandalism. pendent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply
Equipment for sources of power as described in or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means
700.12(A) through (D) where located within assembly oc- shall be provided for automatically transferring from one
cupancies for greater than 1000 persons or in buildings fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
above 23 m (75 ft) in height with any of the following
occupancy classes — assembly, educational, residential, Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having ju-
detention and correctional, business, and mercantile — risdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be per-
shall be installed either in spaces fully protected by ap- mitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous
proved automatic fire suppression systems (sprinklers, car- failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power
bon dioxide systems, and so forth), or in spaces with a from the outside electrical utility company.
1-hour fire rating.
(4) Battery Power and Dampers.Where a storage battery
FPN No. 1: For the definition of occupancy class, see 4.1 is used for control or signal power or as the means of
of NFPA 101-2000,Life Safety Code. starting the prime mover, it shall be suitable for the purpose
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
70-558 ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug con-
independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger nection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not
is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length. The branch circuit feeding
connected to the emergency system. Where power is re- the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that
quired for the operation of dampers used to ventilate the serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead
generator set, the dampers shall be connected to the emer- of any local switches. The branch circuit that feeds unit
gency system. equipment shall be clearly identified at the distribution
(5) Auxiliary Power Supply. Generator sets that require panel. Emergency luminaires (illumination fixtures) that
more than 10 seconds to develop power shall be permitted obtain power from a unit equipment and are not part of the
if an auxiliary power supply energizes the emergency sys- unit equipment shall be wired to the unit equipment as
required by 700.9 and by one of the wiring methods of
tern until the generator can pick up the load.
Chapter 3. •
(6) Outdoor Generator Sets. Where an outdoor housed
generator set is equipped with a readily accessible discon Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied (
netting means located within sight of the building or strut by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a separate
ture supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it
be required where ungrounded conductors pass through the originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal
building or structure. lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature.
(C) Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Uninterruptible
power supplies used to provide power for emergency sys-
tems shall comply with the applicable provisions of Power
700.12(A) and (B). 700.15 Loads on Emergency Branch Circuits.No appli-
(D) Separate Service. Where acceptable to the authority ances and no lamps, other than those specified as required
having jurisdiction as suitable for use as an emergency for emergency use, shall be supplied by emergency lighting
source, a second service shall be permitted. This service circuits.
shall be in accordance with Article 230, with separate ser-
vice drop or lateral, widely separated electrically and physi- 700.16 Emergency Illumination.Emergency illumination
cally from the normal service to minimize the possibility of shall include all required means of egress lighting, illumi-
simultaneous interruption of supply. nated exit signs, and all other lights specified as necessary
to provide required illumination:
(E) Unit Equipment. Individual unit equipment for emer- Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and in-
gency illumination shall consist of the following: stalled so that the failure of any individual lighting element,
(1) A rechargeable battery such as the burning out of a light bulb,cannot leave in total
(2) A battery charging means darkness any space that requires emergency illumination.
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the Where high-intensity discharge lighting such as high- .
equipment, or shall be permitted to have terminals for and low-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and metal halide
remote lamps, or both is used as the sole source of normal illumination, the emer-
(4) A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps auto- gency lighting system shall be required to operate until
matically upon failure of the supply to the unit normal illumination has been restored.
equipment
Exception: Alternative means that ensure emergency light-
The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to ing illumination level is maintained shall be permitted.
supply and maintain at not less than 871/2 percent of the
nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated 700.17 Circuits for Emergency Lighting. Branch circuits
with the unit for a period of at least 11/2 hours, or the unit that supply emergency lighting shall be installed to provide
equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 per- service from a source complying with 700.12 when the
cent of the initial emergency illumination for a period of at normal supply for lighting is interrupted. Such installations
least 11/2 hours. Storage batteries, whether of the acid or shall provide either one of the following:
alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the
requirements of emergency service. (1) An emergency lighting supply, independent of the gen-
Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place eral lighting supply, with provisions for automatically
(i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit transferring the emergency lights upon the event of
installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the failure of the general lighting system supply
2002 Edition NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
70-560 ARTICLE 701—LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
(other than those classed as emergency systems) in the 701.7 Transfer Equipment.
event of failure of the normal source.
(A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
FPN: Legally required standby systems are typically in- transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for
stalled to serve loads, such as heating and refrigeration standby use and approved by the authority having jurisdic-
systems, communications systems, ventilation and smoke tion. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to
removal systems, sewage disposal, lighting systems, and prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alter-
industrial processes, that, when stopped during any inter nate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer
ruption of the normal electrical supply,could create hazards
or hamper rescue or fire-fighting operations. equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power produc-
tion systems installed to permit operation in parallel with
the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article
701.3 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified
by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall 705. .
apply. (B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means to bypass and iso-
late the transfer switch equipment shall be permitted.
701.4 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap- Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent par-
proved for the intended use. allel operation shall be avoided.
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer
701.5 Tests and Maintenance for Legally Required switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically
Standby Systems. held.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having juris 701.8 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be
diction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete sys- provided, where practicable, for the purposes described in
tern upon installation. 701.8(A), (B), and (C).
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodi- (A) Derangement.To indicate derangement of the standby
cally on a schedule and in a manner acceptable to the source.
authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are
maintained in proper operating condition. (B) Carrying Load. To indicate that the standby source is
carrying load.
(C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where batteries are
used for control, starting, or ignition of prime movers, the (C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger
authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic mainte is not functioning.
nance. FPN: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-1999,
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept on
such tests and maintenance. 701.9 Signs.
(E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing legally re- (A) Mandated Standby. A sign shall be placed at the ser-
quired standby systems under load shall be provided. vice entrance indicating type and location of on-site legally
required standby power sources.
FPN: For testing and maintenance procedures of emer- Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit
gency power supply systems(EPSSs),see NFPA 110-1999, equipment as specified in 701.11(F).
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
(B) Grounding. Where the grounded circuit conductor
701.6 Capacity and Rating. A legally required standby connected to the legally required standby power source is
system shall have adequate capacity and rating for the sup- connected to a grounding electrode conductor at a location
ply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time. remote from the legally required standby power source,
Legally required standby system equipment shall be suit- there shall be a sign at the grounding location that shall
able for the maximum available fault current at its termi- identify all legally required standby power and normal
nals. sources connected at that location.
The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply
' legally required standby and optional standby system loads II. Circuit Wiring
where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is
provided as needed to ensure adequate power to the legally 701.10 Wiring Legally Required Standby Systems. The
required standby circuits. legally required standby system wiring shall be permitted to
2002 Edition NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 701—LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS 70-559
(2) Two or more separate and complete systems with inde- sufficient daylight shall be permitted to be controlled by an
pendent power supply, each system providing sufficient automatic light-actuated device.
current for emergency lighting purposes
Unless both systems are used for regular lighting pur- VI. Overcurrent Protection
poses and are both kept lighted, means shall be provided 700.25 Accessibility. The branch circuit overcurrent de
for automatically energizing either system upon failure of vices in emergency circuits shall be accessible to autho-
the other. Either or both systems shall be permitted to be a rized persons only.
part of the general lighting system of the protected occu-
pancy if circuits supplying lights for emergency illumina- FPN: Fuses and circgit breakers for emergency circuit
tion are installed in accordance with other sections of this overcurrent protection, where coordinated to ensure selec-
article. tive clearing of fault currents, increase overall reliability of
the system.
700.18 Circuits for Emergency Power. For branch cir 700.26 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. The al-
cuits that supply equipment classed as emergency, there ternate source for emergency systems shall not be required
shall be an emergency supply source to which the load will to have ground-fault protection of equipment with auto-
be transferred automatically upon the failure of the normal matic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the
supply. emergency source shall be provided per 700.7(D).
Page
559
V. Control — Emergency Lighting Circuits
700.20 Switch Requirements. The switch or switches in-
stalled in emergency lighting circuits shall be arranged so ARTICLE 701
that only authorized persons have control of emergency Legally Required Standby Systems
lighting.
Exception No. 1: Where two or more single-throw I. General
switches are connected in parallel to control a single cir 701.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
cult, at least one of these switches shall be accessible only electrical safety of the installation, operation, and mainte-
to authorized persons. nance of legally required standby systems consisting of cir-
Exception No. 2: Additional switches that act only to put cuits and equipment intended to supply,distribute,and con-
emergency lights into operation but not disconnect them trol electricity to required facilities for illumination or
shall be permissible. power, or both,when the normal electrical supply or system
Switches connected in series or 3- and 4-way switches is interrupted.
shall not be used. The systems covered by this article consist only of
those that are permanently installed in their entirety,includ-
ing the power source.
700.21 Switch Location.-All manual switches for control-
ling emergency circuits shall be in locations convenient to FPN No. 1: For additional information, see NFPA 99-
authorized persons responsible for their actuation. In places 1999, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
of assembly, such as theaters, a switch for controlling emer- FPN No. 2: For further information regarding perfor-
gency lighting systems shall be located in the lobby or at a mance of emergency and standby power systems, see
place conveniently accessible thereto. NFPA 110-1999, Standard for Emergency and Standby
In no case shall a control switch for emergency lighting Power Systems.
in a theater, motion-picture theater, or place of assembly be FPN No. 3: For further information, see ANSI/IEEE 446
1995, Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby
placed in a motion-picture projection booth or on a stage or
Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial
platform. Applications.
Exception: Where multiple switches are provided, one
such switch shall be permitted in such locations where ar- Definition.
ranged so that it can energize the circuit only but cannot Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems re-
de-energize the circuit. quired and so classed as legally required standby by
municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any govern-
700.22 Exterior Lights. Those lights on the exterior of a mental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are in-
building that are not required for illumination when there is tended to automatically supply power to selected loads
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
70-562 ARTICLE 702—OPTIONAL STANDBY SYSTEMS
(F) Unit Equipment.Individual unit equipment for legally
required standby illumination shall consist of the following: ARTICLE 702
(1) A rechargeable battery Optional Standby Systems
(2) A battery charging means
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the I. General
equipment and shall be permitted to have terminals for 702.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
remote lamps installation and operation of optional standby systems.
(4) A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps auto- . The systems covered by this article consist of those that
matically upon failure of the supply to the unit are permanently installed in their entirety, including prime
equipment movers, and those that are arranged for a connection to a
premises wiring system from a portable alternate power
The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to supply.
supply and maintain at not less than 871/2 percent of the
nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated 702.2 Definition.
with the unit for a period of at least 11/2 hours, or the unit
equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 per- Optional Standby Systems. Those systems intended to
cent of the initial legally required standby illumination for a protect public or private facilities or property where life
safety does not depend on the performance of the system.
period of at least 11/2 hours. Storage batteries, whether of Optional standby systems are intended to supply on-site
the acid or alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to generated power to selected loads either automatically or
meet the requirements of emergency service. manually.
Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place FPN: Optional standby systems are typically installed to
(i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit provide an alternate source of electric power for such fa-
installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the cilities as industrial and commercial buildings, farms, and
wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug con- residences and to serve loads such as heating and refrigera-
nection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not tion systems,data processing and communications systems,
and industrial processes that, when stopped during any
exceed 900 mm (3 ft) in length. The branch circuit feeding power outage, could cause discomfort, serious interruption
the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that of the process, damage to the product or process, or the
serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead like.
of any local switches. Legally required standby luminaires
(illumination fixtures) that obtain power from a unit equip- 702.3 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified
ment and are not part of the unit equipment shall be wired by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall
to the unit equipment by one of the wiring methods of apply.
Chapter 3.
702.4 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap-
proved for the intended use.
Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area sup-
plied by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a 702.5 Capacity and Rating. An optional standby system
separate branch circuit for unit equipment shall be per- shall have adequate capacity and rating for the supply of all
,Witted if it originates from the same panelboard as that equipment intended to be operated at one time. Optional
of the normal lighting circuits and is provided with a standby system equipment shall be suitable for the maxi-
lock-on feature. mum available fault current at its terminals. The user of the
optional standby system shall be permitted to select the
load connected to the system.
IV. Overcurrent Protection
702.6:1-TransfeXiqifitaintiaransfer equipment shall be
701.15 Accessibility. The branch-circuit overcurrent de suitable forte h n`e ed us a d designed and installed so
vices in legally required standby circuits shall be accessible
as to prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and
to authorized persons only. alternate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer
equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power produc-
701.17 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. The al- tion systems installed to permit operation in parallel with
ternate source for legally required standby systems shall not the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article
be required to have ground-fault protection of equipment. 705.
2002 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
ARTICLE 705—INTERCONNECTED ELECTRIC POWER PRODUCTION SOURCES 70-563
Transfer equipment, located on the load side of branch
circuit protection, shall be permitted to contain supplemen- ARTICLE 705
tary overcurrent protection having an interrupting rating Interconnected Electric Power
sufficient for the available fault current that the generator Production Sources
can deliver. The supplementary overcurrent protection de-
vices shall be part of a listed transfer equipment.
Transfer equipment shall be required for all standby 705.1 Scope.This article covers installation of one or more
systems subject to the provisions of this article and for electric power production sources operating in parallel with
which an electric-utility supply is either the normal or a primary source(s) of electricity.
standby source.
FPN: Examples of the types of primary sources are a
utility supply, on-site electric power source(s), or other
702.7 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be sources.
provided, where practicable, for the following purposes.
(1) Derangement.To indicate derangement of the optional 705.2 Definition. For purposes of this article, the follow
standby source. ing definition applies.
Interactive System. An electric power production system.
(2) Carrying Load. To indicate that the optional standby that is operating in parallel with and capable of delivering
source is carrying load. energy to an electric primary source supply system.
702.8 Signs. 705.3 Other Articles. Interconnected electric power pro-
(A) Standby.A sign shall be placed at the service-entrance duction sources shall comply with this article and also the
equipment that indicates the type and location of on-site applicable requirements of the articles in Table 705.3.
optional standby power sources. A sign shall not be re-
quired for individual unit equipment for standby illumina Table 705.3 Other Articles
tion.
(B) Grounding. Where the grounded circuit conductor Equipment/System Article
connected to the optional standby power source is con- Generators 445
nected to a grounding electrode conductor at a location Emergency systems 700
remote from the optional standby power source, there shall Legally required standby systems 701
be a sign at the grounding location that shall identify all Optional standby systems 702
optional standby power and normal sources connected at
that location.
Exception No. 1: Installation of solar photovoltaic systems
II. Circuit Wiring operated as interconnected power sources shall be in ac-
cordance with Article 690.
702.9 Wiring Optional Standby Systems. The optional
Exception No. 2: Installation of fuel cell systems operated
standby system wiring shall be permitted to occupy the
same raceways, cables, boxes, and cabinets with other gen- as interconnected power sources shall be in accordance
eral wiring. with Article 692.
705.10 Directory. A permanent plaque or directory, denot-
III Groundings ing all electrical power sources on or in the premises, shall
702.10 Portable Generator Grounding. be installed at each service equipment location and at loca-
t tions of all electric power production sources capable of
(A) Separately Derived System. Where a portable op- being interconnected.
tional standby source is used as a separately derived sys-
tem, it shall be grounded to a grounding electrode in accor- Exception: Installations with large numbers of power pro
dance with 250.30. duction sources shall be permitted to be designated by
groups.
(B) Nonseparately Derived System.Where a portable op-
tional standby source is used as a nonseparately derived 705.12 Point of Connection. The outputs of electric
system, the equipment grounding conductor shall be power production systems shall be interconnected at the
bonded to the system grounding electrode. premises service disconnecting means.
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
• 701.15 Article 702—Optional Standby Systems
.4
nation fixtures) that obtain power from a unit equipment `..'
and are not part of the unit equipment shall be wired to the
702.4 Equipment Approval
unit equipment by one of the wiring methods of Chapter 3. 702.5 Capacity and Rating
702.6 Transfer Equipment
Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied 702.7 Signals - }. ;
by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a separate 702.8 Signs
branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it (A) Standby ;r
originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal (B) Grounding
lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature. II. Circuit Wiring
702.9 Wiring Optional Standby Systems, :
IV. Overcurrent Protection III. Grounding
702.10 Portable Generator Grounding
701.15 Accessibility A
( ) Separately Derived System
The branch-circuit overcurrent devices in legally required (B) Nonseparately Derived System •t;'
standby circuits shall be accessible to authorized persons IV. Sources of Power
only. 702.11 Outdoor Generator Sets
701.17 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment
I. General
The alternate source for legally required standby systems 1,
shall not be required to have ground-fault protection of 702.1 Scope
equipment. The provisions of this article apply to the inst Al.
an
701.18 Coordination operation The systemsofoptional coveredstbydby thissystems.article consist o ';lijo
Legally required standby system(s)overcurrent devices shall are permanently installed in their entirety,
indwell
be selectively coordinated with all supply side overcurrent movers, and those that are arranged for a cornet @+
protective devices. premises wiring system from a portable alterna
supply.
a
j See the commentary regarding selective coordination for
st
emergency systems_ following 700.27, Article 702 applies not only to permanently inE'
tors and prime movers but also to portable altei
G' supplies that can be connected to an optional st. Al
ARTICLE 702 For example, upon failure of an optional stand',
at a frozen food processing plant,a vehicle-mous
Optional Standby Systems for can be brought in and.connected to the plan
standby system,which has provisions for such aye„,.
Optional standby systems are those in w.' .6
sit, of Changes can cause physical discomfort, serious interru
• dustrial process,damage to process equipment
702.6: Added exception to permit the connection of a in
portable generator without transfer equipment under spec- tion of business.
ified conditions.
• 702.7: Added exception to indicate that signals are not t_
required for portable standby sources. 702.2 Definition
• 702.11:Added requirement for disconnectingmeans asso Optional Standby Systems. Those systems mten��¢,
dated with outdoorgenerator sets. supply power to public or private facilities or property lti'
life safety does not depend on the performance of they.,§:lt-''
Optional standby systems are intended to supplyF
generated power to selected loads either automatic
Contents manually.
I. General FPN: Optional standby systems are typically mstallei
702.1 Scope • to provide an alternate source of electric power for such,
p facilities as industrial and commercial buildings, farms
702.2 Definition and residences and to serve loads such as heating 0, 1
702.3 Application of Other Articles refrigeration systems, data processing and communic
tions systems,and industrial processes that,when stopped„
1
1072 2005 National Electrical Code Hr: il''
,ice
I
1
;: 702.9
}`= Article 702—Optional Standby Systems
,
, during any power outage,could cause discomfort,serious Exception: Temporary connection of a portable generator
• 'i; interruption of the process, damage to the product or without transfer equipment shall be permitted where condi-
r •r
process, or the like. tions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only quali-
1 fled persons service the installation and where the normal
02.3 Application of Other Articles supply is physically isolated by a lockable disconnect means
kY.i
i xcept as modified by this article, all applicable articles of or by disconnection of the normal supply conductors.
:;�: �"s Code shall apply.
Y This exception was added in the 2005 Code. This exception
;41-,,,1,,
'f 02A Equipment Approval provides requirements for the connection of loads to a gener-
.
i ator without the use of a transfer switch, where the installa-
11 equipment shall be approved for the intended use.
tion is under the supervision of qualified service personnel.
_. 02.5 Capacity and Rating Such applications often occur when necessary for equipment
maintenance or breakdown or when there is an extended
optional standby system shall have adequate capacity power outage.In such instances,a portable generator can be
d rating for the supply of all equipment intended to be brought to a facility and connected to the existing distribution
1 ,, operated at one time. Optional standby system equipment system.The supervision by qualified personnel is critical to
_,` Mall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at ensuring that a dangerous backfeed condition is not created
�'' terminals. The user of the optionalstandby
, .= system shall by connecting the generator to the system without the benefit
b p le permitted to select the load connected to the system. of transfer equipment.
a`
702.6 Transfer Equipment
1 ransfer equipment shall be suitable for the intended use 702,7 Signals
• x E and designed and installed so as to prevent the inadvertent
y�1p„' g Audible and visual signal devices shall be provided, where
nterconnection of normal and alternate sources of supply practicable, for the following purposes.
A any operation of the transfer equipment. Transfer equip-
Bw °cent and electric power production systems installed to (1) Derangement To indicate derangement of the optional
t` ler nit operation in parallel with the normal source shall standby source.
• meet the requirements of Article 705.
i• ' Transfer equipment, located on the load side of branch (2) Carrying Load To indicate that the optional standby
°F,. °circuit protection, shall be permitted to contain supplemen source is carrying load.
�� . 5 f overcurrent protection having an interrupting rating su -
�, r dent for the available fault current that the generator can Exception: Signals shall not be required for portable
x,t! deliver. The supplementary overcurrentprotection devices
pp y standby power sources.
L s all be part of a listed transfer equipment.
1,°'14-44.:,_ 4a, Transfer equipment shall be required for all standby 702.8 Signs
�a systems subject to the provisions of this article and for which
ail'electric-utility supply is either the normal or standby (A) Standby A sign shall be placed at the service-entrance
=r Fk equipment that indicates the type and location of on-site
�u ource, optional standby power sources.A sign shall not be required
for individual unit equipment for standby illumination.
` •t e ised for the 2002 NEC,702.6 now permits transfer equip-
''''''.-7.V.
quip-
s w 'In to allow parallel operation of the generation equipment (B) Grounding Where the grounded circuit conductor con-
' +vit11 the normal source as long as the requirements of Article
nected to the optional standby power source is connected
'S'are met. Traditional automatic transfer switches are not to a wounding electrode conductor at a location remote from
-'2;4:-,-,Z1� signed to permit parallel operation of generation equip the optional standby power source, there shall be a sign at
.i. ent and the normal source.Therefore,traditional automatic
} the grounding location that shall identify all optional standby�t • nsfer switches need not comply with Article 705. How
.er''certain automatic transfer switch configurations are power and normal sources connected at that location.
k n entionally designed to briefly (for a few cycles) parallel
U . � ,generation equipment with the normal source upon load II. Circuit Wiring
„ _•, apsfer from generator to normal source. This load transfer 702.9 Wiring Optional Standby Systems
• hat}occur with minimal disturbance or effect on the load. The optional standby system wiring shall be permitted to
-.WO i ransfer switches that employ this type of paralleling must
occupy the same raceways,cables,boxes, and cabinets with
ozriply with Article 705. other general wiring.
1073
National Electrical Code Handbook 2005
702.10 Article 705— Interconnected Ele
III frounduig
702.10 Portable Generator Grounding k10!£o
(A) Separately Derived System Where a portable optional ! p "'
standby source is used as a separately derived system, it
shall be grounded to a grounding electrode in accordance area,:
with 250.30. oth°
(B) Nonseparately Derived System Where a portable op-
tional standby source is used as a nonseparately derived Article 705 sets forth basic safety requirements for thea
system,the equipment grounding conductor shall be bonded lation of generators and other types of power proelk
sources that are interconnected and operate in par 'k
to the system grounding electrode.
distributed generation. Power sources include any s i,,.
that produce electric power,including not only electriPkiiw;
IV. Sources of Power sources but also on-premises sources ranging from r,pii,;,,
702.11 Outdoor Generator Sets generators (see Article 445) to solar photovoltaic s i„r, ,
Where an outdoor housed generator set is equipped with a (see Article 690) to fuel cells (see Article 692). rr
readily accessible disconnecting means located within sight Article 705 addresses the basic safety requiremen y;;
of the building or structure supplied, an additional discon- cifically related to parallel operation for the generate4,4,
necting means shall not be required where ungrounded con- other power sources, the power system that intercoimat.i
ductors serve or pass through the building or structure.
the power sources, and the equipment that is co ol�l>;
to these systems. The proper application of these si-4iUiae
requires a thorough review of the entire power syst gat
ARTICLE 705 i
705.2 Definition ,'
Interconnected Electric Power „ ,
Interactive System. An electric power production sysa� ij
Production Sources
that is operating in parallel with and capable of delive kty tF
energy to an electric primary source supply system tom'
Contents 4u ;
705.3 Other Articles 3,.
705.1 Scope Interconnected electric power production sources shall co�r
705.2 Definition b 3s,�
705.3 Other Articles ply with this article and also with the applicable requiremet,iS I
of the articles in Table 705.3.
705.10 Directory 1, „i
705.12 Point of Connection Exception No. 1: Installation of solar photovoltaic sy3tems 1
(A) Integrated Electric System operated as interconnected power sources shall be in a 1
(B) General dance with Article 690. T .
, , 1:'
705.14 Output Characteristics Exception No. 2: Installation of fuel cell systems operatefo.d
705.16 Interrupting and Short-Circuit Current Rating as interconnected power sources shall be in accordan e wit l
705.20 Disconnecting Means, Sources Article 692. -
705.21 Disconnecting Means, Equipment ,,, j.,
705.22 Disconnect Device 705.10 Directory ' sr r•
705.30 Overcurrent Protection A permanent plaque or directory, denoting all electric 1
(A) Generators power sources on or in the premises, shall be installed .1.514
(B) Solar Photovoltaic Systems 1 lc f
(C) Transformers Table 705.3 Other Articles t 1:''
(D) Fuel Cell Systems
705.32 Ground-Fault Protection
Equipment/System Article
705.40 Loss of Primary Source
705.42 Unbalanced Interconnections Generators 445 -
705.43 Synchronous Generators Emergency systems 700
705.50 Grounding Legally required standby systems 701 1 i
Optional standby systems 702 "` f::
1074 :1 t
2005 National Electrical Code Handb''V`i_ ,
1
.mss...Ai---:.
ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS 70-555
Chapter 7 Special Conditions
700.4 Tests and Maintenance.
ARTICLE 700 (A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having juris-
Emergency Systems diction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete sys-
tem upon installation and periodically afterward.
I. General (B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodi-
700.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the cally on a schedule acceptable to the authority having ju-
electrical safety of the installation, operation, and mainte-
nance of emergency systems consisting of circuits and operating condition.
equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control elec- (C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where battery sys-
tricity for illumination,power,or both,to required facilities tems or unit equipments are involved, including batteries rage
when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted. used for starting, control, or ignition in auxiliary engines, sss
Emergency systems are those systems legally required the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic
and classed as emergency by municipal, state, federal, or maintenance.
other codes, or by any governmental agency having juris-
diction.These systems are intended to automatically supply (D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept of
illumination,power,or both,to designated areas and equip such tests and maintenance.
ment in the event of failure of the normal supply or in the (E) Testing Under Load.Means for testing all emergency
event of accident to elements of a system intended to sup- lighting and power systems during maximum anticipated
ply,distribute, and control power and illumination essential load conditions shall be provided.
for safety to human life. FPN: For testing and maintenance procedures of emer-
FPN No. 1: For further information regarding wiring and gency power supply systems(EPSSs),see NFPA 110-1999,
installation of emergency systems in health care facilities, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
see Article 517.
700.5 Capacity.
FPN No. 2: For further information regarding perfor-
mance and maintenance of emergency systems in health (A) Capacity and Rating. An emergency system shall
care facilities, see NFPA 99-1999, Standard for Health have adequate capacity and rating for all loads to be oper-
Care Facilities. ated simultaneously. The emergency system equipment
FPN No. 3: Emergency systems are generally installed in shall be suitable for the maximum available fault current at
places of assembly where artificial illumination is required its terminals.
for safe exiting and for panic control in buildings subject to
occupancy by large numbers of persons, such as hotels, (B) Selective Load Pickup, Load Shedding, and Peak
theaters, sports arenas, health care facilities, and similar Load Shaving.The alternate power source shall be permit-
institutions. Emergency systems may also provide power ted to supply emergency, legally required standby, and op-
for such functions as ventilation where essential to maintain
life,fire detection and alarm systems,elevators,fire pumps, tional standby system loads where automatic selective load
public safety communications systems,industrial processes pickup and load shedding is provided as needed to ensure
where current interruption would produce serious life adequate power to (1) the emergency circuits, (2) the le-
safety or health hazards, and similar functions. gaily required standby circuits,and(3)the optional standby
FPN No. 4: For specification of locations where emer- circuits,in that order of priority.The alternate power source
gency lighting is considered essential to life safety, see shall be permitted to be used for peak load shaving, pro-
NFPA 101®-2000,Life Safety Code®. vided the above conditions are met.
FPN No. 5: For further information regarding perfor- Peak load-shaving operation shall be permitted for sat-
mance of emergency and standby.power systems, see isfying the test requirement of 700.4(B), provided all other
NFPA 110-1999, Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems. conditions of 700.4 are met.
A portable or temporary alternate source shall be avail-
700.2 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified able whenever the emergency generator is out of service for
by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall major maintenance or repair.
apply. 700.6 Transfer Equipment.
700.3 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap- (A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
proved for use on emergency systems. transfer switches, shall be automatic, identified for emer-
! NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
E`P
70-556 ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
gency use, and approved by the authority having jurisdic- (B) Grounding. Where the grounded circuit conductor
tion. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to connected to the emergency source is connected to a
prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and grounding electrode conductor at a location remote from
emergency sources of supply in any operation of the trans- the emergency source,there shall be a sign at the grounding
fer equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power pro- location that shall identify all emergency and normal
duction systems installed to permit operation in parallel sources connected at that location.
with the normal source shall meet the requirements of Ar-
ticle 705.
II. Circuit Wiring
(B) Bypass Isolation Switches. Means shall be permitted 700.9 Wiring, Emergency System.
to bypass and isolate the transfer equipment. Where bypass
isolation switches are used, inadvertent parallel operation (A) Identification. All boxes and enclosures (including
shall be avoided. transfer switches, generators, and power panels) for emer-
gency circuits shall be permanently marked so they will be
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer readily identified as a component of an emergency circuit
.1 20022 switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically or system.
held.
(B) Wiring. Wiring of two or more emergency circuits
(D) Use. Transfer equipment shall supply only emergency supplied from the same source shall be permitted in the
loads. same raceway,cable,box,or cabinet.Wiring from an emer-
gency source or emergency source distribution overcurrent
700.7 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be protection to emergency loads shall be kept entirely inde-
provided, where practicable, for the purpose described in pendent of all other wiring and equipment,unless otherwise
700.7(A) through (D). permitted in (1) through (4):
(A) Derangement. To indicate derangement of the emer (1) Wiring from the normal power source located in-trans
gency source. fer equipment enclosures
(2) Wiring supplied from two sources in exit or emergency
(B) Carrying Load.To indicate that the battery is carrying luminaires (lighting fixtures)
load. (3) Wiring from two sources in a common junction box,
attached to exit or emergency luminaires (lighting fix-
(C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger tures)
is not functioning. (4) Wiring within a common junction box attached to unit
equipment, containing only the branch circuit supply-
(D) Ground Fault. To indicate a ground fault in solidly ing the unit equipment and the emergency circuit sup-
grounded wye emergency systems of more than 150 volts plied by the unit equipment
to ground and circuit-protective devices rated 1000 am-
peres or more. The sensor for the ground-fault signal de- (C) Wiring Design and Location. Emergency wiring cir-
vices shall be located at, or ahead of, the main system cuits shall be designed and located so as to minimize the
disconnecting means for the emergency source, and the hazards that might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing,
maximum setting of the signal devices shall be for a vandalism, and other adverse conditions.
ground-fault current of 1200 amperes. Instructions on the
course of action to be taken in event of indicated ground (D) Fire Protection. Emergency systems shall meet the
fault shall be located at or near the sensor location. following additional requirements in assembly occupancies
for not less than 1000 persons or in buildings above 23 m
FPN: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-1999, (75 ft) in height with any of the following occupancy
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems. classes: assembly, educational, residential, detention and
correctional, business, and mercantile.
700.8 Signs.
(1) Feeder-Circuit Wiring. Feeder-circuit wiring shall
(A) Emergency Sources. A sign shall be placed at the meet one of the following conditions:
service entrance equipment indicating type and location of
on-site emergency power sources. (1) Be installed with buildings that are fully protected by
an approved automatic fire suppression system
Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit (2) Be a listed electrical circuit protective system with a
equipment as specified in 700.12(E). minimum 1-hour fire rating
2002 Edition
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
•
ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS 70-557
(3) Be protected by a listed thermal barrier system for elec- FPN No. 2: Assignment of degree of reliability of the
trical system components recognized emergency supply system depends on the care-
1
(4) Be protected by a fire-rated assembly listed to achieve fns evaluation of the variables at each particular
installation.
a minimum fire rating of 1 hour
(5) Be embedded in not less than 50 mm(2 in.)of concrete (A) Storage Battery. Storage batteries used as a source of
(6) Be a cable listed to maintain circuit integrity for not power for emergency systems shall be of suitable rating and
less than 1 hour when installed in accordance with the capacity to supply and maintain the total load for a period
listing requirements of 11/2 hours minimum, without the voltage applied to the
load falling below 871/2 percent of normal.
(2) Feeder-Circuit Equipment. Equipment for feeder cir- Batteries, whether of the acid or alkali type, shall be
cuits (including transfer switches, transformers, and panel- designed and constructed to meet the requirements of emer-
boards) shall be located either in spaces fully protected by gency service and shall be compatible with the charger for
approved automatic fire suppression systems (including that particular installation.
sprinklers, carbon dioxide systems) or in spaces with a For a sealed battery, the container shall not be required
1-hour fire resistance rating. to be transparent. However, for the lead acid battery that
FPN: For the definition of occupancy class, see 4.1 of requires water additions, transparent or translucent jars
NFPA 101-2000,Life Safety Code. shall be furnished. Automotive-type batteries shall not be
used.
An automatic battery charging means shall be provided.
III. Sources of Power
700.12 General Requirements. Current supply shall be (B) Generator Set.
such that, in the event of failure of the normal supply to, or (1) Prime Mover-Driven. For a generator set driven by a
within,the building or group of buildings concerned,emer- prime mover acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction
gency lighting,emergency power,or both shall be available and sized in accordance with 700.5, means shall be pro-
within the time required for the application but not to ex- vided for automatically starting the prime mover on failure
ceed 10 seconds. The supply system for emergency pur- of the normal service and for automatic transfer and opera-
poses,in addition to the normal services to the building and tion of all required electrical circuits. A time-delay feature
meeting the general requirements of this section, shall be permitting a 15-minute setting shall be provided to avoid
one or more of the types of systems described in 700.12(A) retransfer in case of short-time reestablishment of the nor-
through (D). Unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(E) mal source.
shall satisfy the applicable requirements of this article.
In selecting an emergency source of power, consider- (2) Internal Combustion as Prime Movers. Where inter-
ation shall be given to the occupancy and the type of ser- nal combustion engines are used as the prime mover, an
vice to be rendered, whether of minimum duration, as for on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an on-premise
evacuation of a theater, or longer duration, as for supplying fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours'full demand
emergency power and lighting due to an indefinite period operation of the system. Where power is needed for the
of current failure from trouble either inside or outside the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver fuel to a
building. generator set day tank, this pump shall be connected to the
Equipment shall be designed and located to minimize emergency power system.
the hazards that might cause complete failure due to flood- (3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely Be-
ing, fires, icing, and vandalism. pendent on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply
Equipment for sources of power as described in or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means
700.12(A) through (D) where located within assembly oc- shall be provided for automatically transferring from one
cupancies for greater than 1000 persons or in buildings fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
above 23 m (75 ft) in height with any of the following
occupancy classes — assembly, educational, residential, Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having ju-
detention and correctional, business, and mercantile — risdiction, the use of other than on-site fuels shall be per-
shall be installed either in spaces fully protected by ap- mitted where there is a low probability of a simultaneous
proved automatic fire suppression systems (sprinklers, car- failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power
bon dioxide systems, and so forth), or in spaces with a from the outside electrical utility company.
1-hour fire rating.
(4) Battery Power and Dampers.Where a storage battery
FPN No. 1: For the definition of occupancy class, see 4.1 is used for control or signal power or as the means of
of NFPA 101-2000,Life Safety Code. starting the prime mover,it shall be suitable for the purpose
NATIONAL ELEL FRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
J
70-558 ARTICLE 700—EMERGENCY SYSTEMS
and shall be equipped with an automatic charging means wiring methods in Chapter 3. Flexible cord-and-plug con-
independent of the generator set. Where the battery charger nection shall be permitted, provided that the cord does not
is required for the operation of the generator set, it shall be exceed 900 mm(3 ft) in length. The branch circuit feeding
connected to the emergency system. Where power is re- the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that
quired for the operation of dampers used to ventilate the serving the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead
generator set, the dampers shall be connected to the emer- of any local switches. The branch circuit that feeds unit
gency system. equipment shall be clearly identified at the distribution
(5) Auxiliary Power Supply. Generator sets that require panel. Emergency luminaires (illumination fixtures) that
more than 10 seconds to develop power shall be permitted obtain power from a unit equipment and are not part of the
if an auxiliary power supply energizes the emergency sys unit equipment shall be wired to the unit equipment as
tern until the generator can pick up the load. required by 700.9 and by one of the wiring methods of
Chapter 3.
(6) Outdoor Generator Sets. Where an outdoor housed
generator set is equipped with a readily accessible discon Exception: In a separate and uninterrupted area supplied
necting means located within sight of the building or struc- by a minimum of three normal lighting circuits, a separate
ture supplied, an additional disconnecting means shall not branch circuit for unit equipment shall be permitted if it
be required where ungrounded conductors pass through the originates from the same panelboard as that of the normal
building or structure. lighting circuits and is provided with a lock-on feature.
(C) Uninterruptible Power Supplies. Uninterruptible
power supplies used to provide power for emergency sys-
tems shall comply with the applicable provisions of Power
700.12(A) and (B). 700.15 Loads on Emergency Branch Circuits. No appli-
(D) Separate Service. Where acceptable to the authority ances and no lamps, other than those specified as required
having jurisdiction as suitable for use as an emergency for emergency use, shall be supplied by emergency lighting
source, a second service shall be permitted. This service circuits.
shall be in accordance with Article 230, with separate ser-
vice drop or lateral,widely separated electrically and physi- 700.16 Emergency Illumination.Emergency illumination
cally from the normal service to minimize the possibility of shall include all required means of egress lighting, illumi-
simultaneous interruption of supply. nated exit signs, and all other lights specified as necessary
to provide required illumination.
(E) Unit Equipment. Individual unit equipment for emer- Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and in-
gency illumination shall consist of the following: stalled so that the failure of any individual lighting element,
(1) A rechargeable battery such as the burning out of a light bulb,cannot leave in total
(2) A battery charging means darkness any space that requires emergency illumination.
(3) Provisions for one or more lamps mounted on the Where high-intensity discharge lighting such as high-
equipment, or shall be permitted to have terminals for and low-pressure sodium, mercury vapor, and metal halide
remote lamps, or both is used as the sole source of normal illumination, the emer-
(4) A relaying device arranged to energize the lamps auto- gency lighting system shall be required to operate until
matically upon failure of the supply to the unit normal illumination has been restored.
equipment
Exception: Alternative means that ensure emergency light-
The batteries shall be of suitable rating and capacity to ing illumination level is maintained shall be permitted.
supply and maintain at not less than 871 percent of the
nominal battery voltage for the total lamp load associated 700.17 Circuits for Emergency Lighting.Branch circuits
with the unit for a period of at least 11/2 hours, or the unit that supply emergency lighting shall be installed to provide
equipment shall supply and maintain not less than 60 per- service from a source complying with 700.12 when the
cent of the initial emergency illumination for a period of at normal supply for lighting is interrupted. Such installations
least 11 hours. Storage batteries, whether of the acid or shall provide either one of the following:
alkali type, shall be designed and constructed to meet the
requirements of emergency service. (1) An emergency lighting supply, independent of the gen-
Unit equipment shall be permanently fixed in place eral lighting supply, with provisions for automatically
(i.e., not portable) and shall have all wiring to each unit transferring the emergency lights upon the event of
installed in accordance with the requirements of any of the failure of the general lighting system supply
2002 Edition NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
a
70-560 ARTICLE 701—LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS
(other than those classed as emergency systems) in the 701.7 Transfer Equipment.
event of failure of the normal source.
(A) General. Transfer equipment, including automatic
FPN: Legally required standby systems are typically in- transfer switches, shall be automatic and identified for
stalled to serve loads, such as heating and refrigeration standby use and approved by the authority having jurisdic-
systems, communications systems, ventilation and smoke tion. Transfer equipment shall be designed and installed to
removal systems, sewage disposal, lighting systems, and prevent the inadvertent interconnection of normal and alter-
industrial processes, that, when stopped during any inter-
ruption of the normal electrical supply,could create hazards nate sources of supply in any operation of the transfer
or hamper rescue or fire-fighting operations. equipment. Transfer equipment and electric power produc-
tion systems installed to permit operation in parallel with
the normal source shall meet the requirements of Article
701.3 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified
by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall 705.
apply. (B) Bypass IsolationSwitches. Means to bypass and iso-
late the transfer switch equipment shall be permitted.
701.4 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap- Where bypass isolation switches are used, inadvertent par-
proved for the intended use. allel operation shall be avoided.
(C) Automatic Transfer Switches. Automatic transfer
Er 701.5 Tests and Maintenance for Legally Required switches shall be electrically operated and mechanically
jp2 Standby Systems. held.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test. The authority having juris- 701.8 Signals. Audible and visual signal devices shall be
diction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete sys provided, where practicable, for the purposes described in
tern upon installation. 701.8(A), (B), and (C).
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodi- (A) Derangement.To indicate derangement of the standby
cally on a schedule and in a manner acceptable to the source.
authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are
maintained in proper operating condition. (B) Carrying Load.To indicate that the standby source is
carrying load.
(C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where batteries are
used for control, starting, or ignition of prime movers, the (C) Not Functioning. To indicate that the battery charger
authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic mainte is not functioning.
nance. FPN: For signals for generator sets, see NFPA 110-1999,
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept on
such tests and maintenance. 701.9 Signs.
Testing Under Load. Means for testing legally re-
vice
Mandated Standby. A sign shall be placed at the ser-
(E)uired standbysystems under load shall be vice entrance indicating type and location of on-site legally
q y provided. required standby power sources.
FPN: For testing and maintenance procedures of emer- Exception: A sign shall not be required for individual unit
gency power supply systems(EPSSs),see NFPA 110-1999, equipment as specified in 701.11(F).
Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
(B) Grounding. Where the grounded circuit conductor
701.6 Capacity and Rating. A legally required standby connected to the legally required standby power source is
system shall have adequate capacity and rating for the sup- connected to a grounding electrode conductor at a location
ply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time. remote from the legally required standby power source,
Legally required standby system equipment shall be suit- there shall be a sign at the grounding location that shall
able for the maximum available fault current at its termi- identify all legally required standby power and normal
nals. sources connected at that location.
The alternate power source shall be permitted to supply
legally required standby and optional standby system loads II. Circuit Wiring
where automatic selective load pickup and load shedding is
provided as needed to ensure adequate power to the legally 701.10 Wiring Legally Required Standby Systems. The
required standby circuits. legally required standby system wiring shall be permitted to
2002 Edition NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
4
ARTICLE 701—LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS 70-559
(2) Two or more separate and complete systems with inde- sufficient daylight shall be permitted to be controlled by an
pendent power supply, each system providing sufficient automatic light-actuated device.
current for emergency lighting purposes
Unless both systems are used for regular lighting pur- VI. Overcurrent Protection
poses and are both kept lighted, means shall be provided 700.25 Accessibility. The branch-circuit overcurrent de-
for automatically energizing either system upon failure of vices in emergency circuits shall be accessible to autho-
the other. Either or both systems shall be permitted to be a razed persons only.
part of the general lighting system of the protected occu-
pancy if circuits supplying lights for emergency illumina- FPN: Fuses and circuit breakers for emergency circuit
tion are installed in accordance with other sections of this overcurrent protection, where coordinated to ensure selec-
article. tive clearing of fault currents,increase overall reliability of
the system.
700.18 Circuits for Emergency Power. For branch cir- 700.26 Ground-Fault Protection of Equipment. The al-
cuits that supply equipment classed as emergency, there ternate source for emergency systems shall not be required
shall be an emergency supply source to which the load will to have ground-fault protection of equipment with auto-
be transferred automatically upon the failure of the normal matic disconnecting means. Ground-fault indication of the
supply. emergency source shall be provided per 700.7(D).
Page
559
V. Control —Emergency Lighting Circuits
700.20 Switch Requirements. The switch or switches in-
stalled in emergency lighting circuits shall be arranged so ARTICLE 701
that only authorized persons have control of emergency Legally Required Standby Systems
lighting.
Exception No. 1: Where two or more single-throw I. General
switches are connected in parallel to control a single cir 701.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the
cuit, at least one of these switches shall be accessible only electrical safety of the installation, operation, and mainte-
to authorized persons. nance of legally required standby systems consisting of cir-
Exception No. 2: Additional switches that act only to put cuits and equipment intended to supply,distribute,and con-
emergency lights into operation but not disconnect them trol electricity to required facilities for illumination or
shall be permissible. power,or both,when the normal electrical supply or system
Switches connected in series or 3- and 4-way switches is interrupted.
shall not be used. The systems covered by this article consist only of
those that are permanently installed in their entirety,includ-
ing the power source.
700.21 Switch Location. All manual switches for control-
ling emergency circuits shall be in locations convenient to FPN No. 1: For additional information, see NFPA 99-
authorized persons responsible for their actuation. In places 1999, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
of assembly,such as theaters,a switch for controlling emer- FPN No. 2: For further information regarding perfor-
gency lighting systems shall be located in the lobby or at a mance of emergency and standby power systems, see
place conveniently accessible thereto. NFPA 110-1999, Standard for Emergency and Standby
In no case shall a control switch for emergency lighting Power Systems.
in a theater,motion-picture theater, or place of assembly be FPN No. 3: For further information, see ANSI/IEEE 446
placed in a motion-picture projection booth or on a stage or 1995, Recommended Practice for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems for Industrial and Commercial
platform. Applications.
Exceptions Where multiple switches are provided, one
such switch shall be permitted in such locations where ar- Definition.
ranged so that it can energize the circuit only but cannot Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems re-
de-energize the circuit. quired and so classed as legally required standby by
municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any govern-
700.22 Exterior Lights. Those lights on the exterior of a mental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are in-
building that are not required for illumination when there is tended to automatically supply power to selected loads
NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 2002 Edition
Todd Morley
1.,, : 41,,,,f_.,,
,' _ ' ' �
IT N
GAM 0•111M11411.
Memo
Date: June 27, 2005
To: Planning and Zoning Board
Bea McNeely, Chairperson
From: Todd Morley, Building Official,., -
RE: Pad-Mounted Generators
On June 21, 2005 the City Council requested that the Planning and Zoning Board develop an ordinance
regarding setback encroachments for Pad-Mounted Generators (PMG's)
History: I have been approached by members of the Electrician community to request the City consider granting
relief from setback restrictions for Pad-Mounted Generators. A Pad-Mounted Generator, also known as an Emergency
Standby Generator, is an electricity-generating device that supplies power to a structure when the normal power delivery
is interrupted. Typically:
• Fastened to a 3 1/2"thick concrete pad, poured in place.
• Capable of being manually, electronically or automatically started in the event of power failure.
• Fueled by natural or petroleum-based gas.
• Anti-backfeed protection assured by use of automatic transfer switchgear.
• Capable of self-starting for diagnostic/maintenance purposes at regular intervals.
• Operates at the noise level of an idling automobile.
• Situated near the electrical and gas meters.
1
A recurring problem is that the electrical and gas meters for most residences are on the side or rear of the building and
the building wall is at or near the limit of the property setback. This leaves little or no room for the PMG. Some property
owners may be told that they cannot have a PMG due to setback restrictions or, could possibly have a PMG if they
relocate the unit at additional expense (longer lengths of cabling and gas piping).
Section 110-538 requires that every part of every required setback shall be open and unobstructed from the ground to
the sky, with 14 exceptions. This request is to add a 15th exception to this section, enabling a PMG to encroach into a
required setback.
Among other issues, the Board may consider:
Defining "Pad-Mounted Generator" and/or"Emergency Standby Generator".
Allowing encroachments in the rear yard, both side and rear yards, or none.
Max. size. (typically less than 15 sq.ft.)
Max. electrical output (during an emergency, would a neighbor(s) be able to "tap into"this device?)
Limited times-of-day for self-starting for diagnostic/maintenance purposes. (least offensive time of day?)
Decibel level at property line (noise level)
Regulation regarding non-emergency use. (i.e. neglecting to pay the electricity bill, and subsequently relying on the
PMG)
2
add ,,
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HOME,from IC by �� �r �r � ,'.
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homes introduced Thursday,dur- The prototype house also is de- =v r 3 r
ing intermittent showers, are in signed to reduce water intrusion ` 4 — c '�
the Huntington Lakes subdivi- with a special acrylic paint finish 4 , _ --�
sion in Rockledge. The two
g that prevents moisture absorp- �' : ' �� f ' � t "��‘ � `' `'����
homes are among eight in the tion, reconfigured soffit open-
110-home subdivision that � �'
1ngS,baffled roof vents and out- Michael R.Brown,FLORIDA TODAY
haven'tbeensold. swing entry doors.Also,a special
all used in the home's con- Emergency power. Mercedes Homes is offering hurricane-resistant
One of the prototype homes,a drYw homes in Brevard County. One of the hurricane resistant homes on
1,978-square-foot home, which struction is a paperless material display in Rockledge has a gas generator, left,that will provide energy
currently would sell for about thatresistsmoldgrowth. for the entire house in case of a power outage.
$300,000, was built with what's. Another feature on the home is
called cast-in-place," a natural-gas-powered generator water intrusion in a handful of spokesman, said the allegations
6-inch-thick concrete walls, a that automatically switches on homes." are without merit.
method Mercedes claims is much during a power outage.
i
intruson is
Waterthe subject
more durable during high winds We categorically deny that
than normal concrete-block ScottBuescher,chief operating of a lawsuit by some Mercedes there are any inherent flaws in
structures. officer at Mercedes, said, imme- customers who claim the compa- the construction of our homes,"
Althoughurethe special hurrica diately after two hurricanes ny's homes didn't standup to last Brewer said.
P struck the East Coast of Florida year's hurricanes. Mercedes,established in 1983,
ne-resistant features would add a during last year's prolific hurri- Attorney Jamie Nance of Mel is the 17th-largest U.S. home-
few thousand dollars to the retail cane season,Mercedes engineers bourne-based law firm Nance builder, according to Builder
cost of a typical Mercedes home, began assessing storm damage Cacciatore,said,so far,50 people magazine. It has 12 divisions in
exactly how much hasn't yet been on some customers'homes. have joined in the lawsuit. Florida, North Carolina, South
established in the company's Nance Cacciatore is re resent-
pricing scheme, said Joyce "We had no structural dam- P Carolina and Texas.■
Wilden,Mercedes' communica- age," Buescher said. "We had ing the Mercedes customers. Contact Price at 242-3658
tion director. none. We did have some minor Bud Brewer, a Mercedes or wprice@flatoday.net
' --7,Jbv.et.0-10OU Erl: b S216745771
I WIMMEMMEMMEIM
CITY OF MELBOURNE CO PAGE J3 MMMEMMEMME
• _,......_—_-_.
\11'46%
lvi i 1 Ill t C S i BOABC Building Code Committee MeetinE
Tune 23, 2005
_
orange wire mesh as a possible material. Mik-e MeCau1ghirk, A. Bever and JON; ----
2,.._muietly stated they would not accept the orange wire rnesli at this time since them
were no manufacturer specifications to show that it would meet the curremt codes. Ai
Beyer stated that the code requirement of 20" to edge of water on all sides with the
baby fence would still have to be met. ., .
lvIOTIQN MADE_OviarianfrvfoLisylto recommencj acceptance of baby barrier
I:walled to eritetia of code and inaoufacture,rs sp_eelt. ak aons,
MOTIOIsiLCARRIED WITT1 CONNEIAY VOTIING.MAY
N .
Ka ,, OPEDISCUSSION
044 raft) i3
— ::,-, Todd Morley asked for the Committees input regarding the writing of an.ordinance cf
pad mounted generators including zero lot line properties. The Committee's
cons.casus was to allow rear set backs and exhaust a minimum of 10 feet from any
-point of reentry. An electrical permit to be pulled by a licensed electrical contractcer
and where needed a permit for propane tank(s).
> Todd Morley asked if a design professional was the only person who could pull a
pennit for a new UL firewall. John Marian said no.
ii,,p,Kmprikig NT
'there brill/go further business,a rnrItii, s alle MarioutIvifirley to atilour th(
meetior4 at 3:55,
MO,TION CARRIED U3.4Aiti111,101.351,Y.
Al Bce.- r,Cbai.*, • ..
-,....,_, •
2