One ATS for both life safety and emergency loads

[shortcircuit1]

Hello,

Can i use just one ATS to supply life safety loads(Exit signs,Lighting) and emergency loads(Elevator and receptacle load) from one single ATS? My distribution is i have a breaker in generator which supplies an ATS and then ATS feeds a panel A.This panel A has a subpanel which feeds life safety loads where as panel A feeds elevator. Is there anywhere in NEC that prevents me to do this from one single ATS and a panel? Any code reference will be much appreciated.

 

[roger]

Hello,

Can i use just one ATS to supply life safety loads(Exit signs,Lighting) and emergency loads(Elevator and receptacle load) from one single ATS? My distribution is i have a breaker in generator which supplies an ATS and then ATS feeds a panel A.This panel A has a subpanel which feeds life safety loads where as panel A feeds elevator. Is there anywhere in NEC that prevents me to do this from one single ATS and a panel? Any code reference will be much appreciated.

Unless this is a Hospital you don't have "Life Safety" loads, the Emergency and Life Safety as you describe them are probably both article 700 loads.

Roger

 

[shortcircuit1]

Unless this is a Hospital you don't have "Life Safety" loads, the Emergency and Life Safety as you describe them are probably both article 700 loads.

Roger

Sorry i am used to using that quite a bit. Yes both of them are same.

 

[roger]

Then IMO they can both be fed from the same ATS.

Roger

 

[dkidd]

Hello,

Can i use just one ATS to supply life safety loads(Exit signs,Lighting) and emergency loads(Elevator and receptacle load) from one single ATS? My distribution is i have a breaker in generator which supplies an ATS and then ATS feeds a panel A.This panel A has a subpanel which feeds life safety loads where as panel A feeds elevator. Is there anywhere in NEC that prevents me to do this from one single ATS and a panel? Any code reference will be much appreciated.

Only under 517.30(B)(2) for the loads you list.

 

[roger]

Sorry i am used to using that quite a bit. Yes both of them are same.

Only under 517.30(B)(2) for the loads you list.

shortcircuit1, are talking about healthcare or something else?

Roger

 

[shortcircuit1]

shortcircuit1, are talking about healthcare or something else?

Roger

Its a apartment building. I saw article 700 and it says clearly under transfer switches that emergency transfer switch must supply only emergency loads. I guess that would answer my question.
I am curious as to why cant one transfer switch supply both emergency loads and standby loads but one generator can supply both?

 

[roger]

I am curious as to why cant one transfer switch supply both emergency loads and standby loads but one generator can supply both?[/B]

I would think one reason is separate ATS's would allow for load shedding of non essential loads.

Roger

 

[shortcircuit1]

I would think one reason is separate ATS's would allow for load shedding of non essential loads.

Roger

But now a days ATS manufacturers can supply load shedding modules that can kick in loads based on owners priority like below:

http://www.generac.com/all-products/transfer-switches/home-backup

Granted this for home management systems i dont know if there are modules like this for commercial buildings.

 

[tkb]

What Life Systems do you have that require emergency power?
If your emergency lights have batteries, I doubt you have any Life Safety loads.

An elevator does not require emergency power. They have an option to have a UPS to lower the elevator and open the doors on the ground floor.
If this was fed from a generator it would be an optional standby load.

 

[shortcircuit1]

What Life Systems do you have that require emergency power?
If your emergency lights have batteries, I doubt you have any Life Safety loads.

An elevator does not require emergency power. They have an option to have a UPS to lower the elevator and open the doors on the ground floor.
If this was fed from a generator it would be an optional standby load.

No my lights will be backed up by generator.

An elevator being an optional standby load needs to be on generator for fire fighter operations.

 

[roger]

But now a days ATS manufacturers can supply load shedding modules that can kick in loads based on owners priority like below:

http://www.generac.com/all-products/transfer-switches/home-backup

Granted this for home management systems i dont know if there are modules like this for commercial buildings.

I would say 700.5 would put a halt to using a residential type device besides the fact that residential generators and equipment are in most cases Optional (article 702) in their entirety.

Roger

 

[tkb]

No my lights will be backed up by generator.

An elevator being an optional standby load needs to be on generator for fire fighter operations.

If your emergency is only generator backup, then you need a life safety ATS.
Also the generator has to meet a UL standard to start within 10 seconds.

 

[shortcircuit1]

If your emergency is only generator backup, then you need a life safety ATS.
Also the generator has to meet a UL standard to start within 10 seconds.

Yes i am aware of that. Thanks!