Article 700 Definitions

[Rickyghart]

700.1 for emergency systems uses the term "Required Facilities". 700.5 (D) says only emergency loads can be supplied by the transfer switch under this Article. In the Handbook under 700.5 (D) it expands and states that Legally required and optional loads cannot be served by emergency system transfer switch.

Now the specifics: in a 5 story parking garage where egress lights, Fire Alarm panels and security cameras are present, a 175KW, 277/480V, 400A MCB output generator feeds the entire standby system. Remaining load includes elevator equipment but no fire pump. Design is for two Bypass/Isolation ATS (100A Life Safety and 400A Equipment) if this falls under 700 Emergency System. Bypass/Isolation ATS are the same switch size as a 600A but with smaller terminations. One 400A 0r 600A ATS will suffice if a parking garage is not defined as "Required Facilities".

I feel this design is excessive but certainlty robust. I will let it go if NEC says this is what must be. Take the AHJ out of the question for now. Is a 5 story parking garage a required facility? Or, is this Legally Required and falls under Article 701?

 

[iwire]

If the building code required egress lighting is supplied from the generator that is clearly article 700.

Security cameras are more likely article 702.

I am not sure where fire panels and elevators fall in this.

Keep in mind fire panels are required to be self contained for a long period of time.

 

[Rickyghart]

If the building code required egress lighting is supplied from the generator that is clearly article 700.

Security cameras are more likely article 702.

I am not sure where fire panels and elevators fall in this.

Keep in mind fire panels are required to be self contained for a long period of time.

Thanks for your thoughts iwire!
I checked NFPA 101 and was directed to NFPA 88 for parking structure egress requirements. There does not appear to be a requiremnt for egress lights at all under NFPA 88 and even the stairways may be open. The lights we are putting on generator appear to be optional like everything else in this structure. 702

 

[Rickyghart]

Ooooops....spoke too soon.:ashamed1:
NFPA 101 7.9 requires illumination along the path of egress for pretty much every public structure. This can be met with batteries though. Since I do have a generator, I need two transfer switches?

Is there a rational explanation for this that I am too dense to see?

 

[iwire]

This can be met with batteries though.

Yes for sure.

Since I do have a generator, I need two transfer switches?

If you choose to run the required egress lighting and optional loads from the generator you will need two transfer switches and of course 700.9(B) will require sperate raceways, cables, junction boxes for all the wiring for the emergency wiring.

Is there a rational explanation for this that I am too dense to see?

The goal is to make sure that a fault in the non-emergency systems will not damage or disable the emergency systems.

What kind of general lighting are you using in the garage area?

Could you have battery packs included in some of those for the required emergency lighting?

 

[Rickyghart]

Battery is not part of the current design, maintenance and testing requirements are the reason for that. I was just pointing out the lack of critcallity in an open parking structure. The generator will be Class 10, Type 10, Level 1.

I am seeing the illumination along the path of egress being legally required since the 101 says I have to have light there but does not not a requirement under NFPA88 that defines a minimum requirement for emergency power source. A Fire Pump in a garage would rise to 700 Emergency System status as a Life Safety Branch does under 517.

Not trying be be argumentative but this is puzzling me.