Emergency systems
This article of the National Electrical Code covers the installation and requirements for emergency systems.
What is Article 700?
This article of the National Electrical Code covers the installation and requirements for legally required standby systems.
What is Article 701?
This article of the National Electrical Code covers the installation and requirements for Optional Standby Systems.
What is Article 702
Equipment for emergency power supplies must be kept in a location that will keep it safe from floods, fires, icing and this hazard.
What is Vandalism? (NEC 701.12)
Any operating conditions within an emergency system that results in less power capacity than required will cause this result.
What is a system malfunction signal? (NEC 700.4(C)(1))
Emergency systems are intended to automatically distribute and control electricity to these things when normal power is interrupted.
What are required facilities? [exit lighting, required ventilation, fire alarm systems, safety communication systems etc.](NEC 700.1)
Unlike emergency systems, this type of system does not necessarily supply power to life safety equipment, but is needed for required facilities or essential operations.
What is a legally required standby system? (NEC 701.1)
These systems are not required by code, but are often installed to provide backup power for non essential equipment during a power failure.
What are optional standby systems? (NEC 702.1)
These devices must be electrically operated and mechanically held.
What are emergency Transfer Switches?(701.5(C))
For a generator with a prime mover that is battery operated, the battery must have this feature set up to be independent from the generator set.
Automatic charging means (701.10 (D)(2))
This type of equipment must be automatic, listed and marked for emergency service, and used in all emergency circuits.
What is a transfer switch? (NEC 700.5 (A))
These devices within legally required standby systems must be selectively coordinated with all other devices in the system.
What are Overcurrent Protective Devices or OCPDs? (NEC 701.32(A))
Unlike Emergency Systems or Legally required systems, Optional standby systems may have their transfer switches mounted to this device.
What is a utility meter? (NEC 702.5 (B))
All manual switches for controlling emergency circuits must be installed in locations convenient to what group of people?
Who are authorized persons responsible for their actuation? (NEC 700.21)
The emergency power source must have an on-site fuel supply sufficient to run for no less than this amount of time.
What is 2 hours? (700.12(C)(2))
This is the maximum time within which an emergency system must provide emergency lighting and power after a failure.
What is 10 seconds? (NEC 700.12)
In legally required standby systems, power must be available within this time frame after a failure of normal power.
What is 60 seconds? (NEC 701.12)
When using this kind of load connection, the standby source must be capable of supplying the full load that is to be connected.
What is an automatic load connection? (NEC 702.4 (A)(2))
All exposed cable or Raceway systems for emergency circuits must be properly labeled at intervals not to exceed this distance.
What is 25 feet? (NEC 700.10 (A)(2))
When an emergency system is installed, this device must be provided in the area around the disconnecting means.
What is emergency illumination? (700.16(D))
Not including battery supplied emergency lights, an emergency power source must be able to maintain power for no less than this amount of time.
What is 2 hours? (NEC 700.12 (C))
If necessary fuel and equipment is provided, legally required standby sources and normal sources are permitted to operate this way.
What is “In Parallel” (NEC 701.4(D))
Optional Standby System wiring may occupy the same raceways, cables, boxes and cabinets as these kinds of wires.
What is other general wiring? (NEC 702.10)
When installing emergency fire protection systems, additional requirements must be met for schools built for more than this number of occupants.
What is 300? (NEC 700.10(D)(1))
If a portable generator is within line of sight of the power inlets that it connects to, it does not need to have one of these.
What is an interlocked disconnecting means? (NEC 702.12 (C))