Generator question

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WirenutNH

Member
Location
NH
I'm looking for some help. We have supplied a replacment natural gas generator for a sewer pump station. New unit is same size, after getting unit on site and piped in we found out that there is not enough gas pressure. We spoke with our generator dealer and they said that unit can be very easily converted to propane. The plumbing inspector has asked us to look into a rule about converting over from natural gas to propane and whether there is A life and/or safety issue that could come up if the propane would not be able to be refilled. I can not find what he is refering to.

Any help or point in the right direction would be great.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
You really need to determine which code article applies.

ARTICLE 700?EMERGENCY SYSTEMS

or

ARTICLE 701? LEGALLY REQUIRED STANDBY SYSTEMS

or

ARTICLE 702? OPTIONAL STANDBY SYSTEMS

I highly doubt it is article 700, it might be article 701 but I bet it is more likley an article 702 system. If it is a article 702 system there are no NEC fuel requiments.


On the odd chance it is an article 700 system 700.12(B)(2) and (3) has some fuel requirements and one source of even natural gas does not meet them anyways.




700.12(B)(2) Internal Combustion Engines as Prime Movers.
Where internal combustion engines are used as the prime
mover, an on-site fuel supply shall be provided with an
on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 2 hours?
full-demand operation of the system.
Where power is
needed for the operation of the fuel transfer pumps to deliver
fuel to a generator set day tank, this pump shall be
connected to the emergency power system.

(3) Dual Supplies. Prime movers shall not be solely dependent
on a public utility gas system for their fuel supply

or municipal water supply for their cooling systems. Means
shall be provided for automatically transferring from one
fuel supply to another where dual fuel supplies are used.
Exception: Where acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction,
the use of other than on-site fuels shall be permitted
where there is a low probability of a simultaneous
failure of both the off-site fuel delivery system and power
from the outside electrical utility company.
 
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