Docking Station

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bstandley

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Location
Tallahassee Florida
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Master Electrician, Plans examiner and Inspector
I have a proposed docking station for 3 schools campuses that will be used for both optional and life safety. The feeders conductors are tap ruling through the docking station to a tap box, from there they enter the building and hit molded case circuit over current devices, then to the transfer switches. My concern is separation of life safety and optional life safety. I am interpreting the docking station as a transfer switch which would need them separated.

One school the docking station although required for life safety, is not really needed. The fire alarm has battery back up, the sprinkler system will operate without the generator. The schools do not normally operate at night so lighting could be considered adequate, if the school is without power for greater than 3 hours, the school would be closed. The optional would keep freezers and refrigerators running.

The other 2 schools are similar but not sprinklered.

Any Thoughts would be appreciated.
 
bstandley said:
I have a proposed docking station for 3 schools campuses that will be used for both optional and life safety. The feeders conductors are tap ruling through the docking station to a tap box, from there they enter the building and hit molded case circuit over current devices, then to the transfer switches. My concern is separation of life safety and optional life safety. I am interpreting the docking station as a transfer switch which would need them separated.

One school the docking station although required for life safety, is not really needed. The fire alarm has battery back up, the sprinkler system will operate without the generator. The schools do not normally operate at night so lighting could be considered adequate, if the school is without power for greater than 3 hours, the school would be closed. The optional would keep freezers and refrigerators running.

The other 2 schools are similar but not sprinklered.

Any Thoughts would be appreciated.
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That would be considered an optional backup system, as long as existing life safety remains untouched and maintained, it will not matter. Sounds like no fire pump is involved.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I think the op is talking about portable generator connection, such as a cam lock box, or even lug cable connection to a Kirk key gear.
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Me too. But what the OP is proposing could only be used for Art. 702 loads. For many reasons this will not be Art. 700 compliant.
 
texie said:
Me too. But what the OP is proposing could only be used for Art. 702 loads. For many reasons this will not be Art. 700 compliant.
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They should already have battery backup since it’s an existing building, but if the op is adding it to make it Art. 700 compliant, then yes, it will not work without some major rewiring. Otherwise, if the generator fails, the existing Art. 700 takes over just like with a utility failure.
 
hillbilly1 said:
They should already have battery backup since it’s an existing building, but if the op is adding it to make it Art. 700 compliant, then yes, it will not work without some major rewiring. Otherwise, if the generator fails, the existing Art. 700 takes over just like with a utility failure.
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A roll up portable can not comply as a source for Art. 700 loads except as backup to a permanently installed emergency source. But I agree it would seem the site would presumably already have battery E lights any any "docking station" they install would just be a 702 system.
 
hillbilly1 said:
I think the op is talking about portable generator connection, such as a cam lock box, or even lug cable connection to a Kirk key gear.
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That is where I was going. That type of connection cannot be used for Article 700 or 701 installations.
The only application for a "docking station" for an Article 700 system would be for the temporary power connection required by 700.3(F).
 
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