Assisted living facility generator

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wirebender

wirebender

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North Central Texas
I have an existing Class A assisted living facility that wants to install a generator to supply lighting in the kitchen, dining room and lobby area plus the A/C unit supplying these areas in case of an extended power outage for the comfort of their residents.

They are not required to do this. The facility is already compliant as far as emergency power for egress lighting and fire alarm, etc. with battery backup.

Does NFPA 99 or 110 require a generator,if installed, to be used as an emergency system or am I correct in considering this generator an optional standby system subject to Article 702?

If so, can I connect only the loads the facility wants or am I required to connect all the loads required in Article 517.42?

Is an annunciator required since this generator would have nothing to do with life safety branch or critical care branch?

For sizing the generator how do I treat the A/C unit? It seems like there is something about the LRA to consider but I can't find it in the code. LRA is 170, RLA is 26.6.

Any help on this will be greatly appreciated.
 
The NEC determines the wiring method for the type of generator installed, an emergency generator is an Art 700 application. The other two are Art 701 and 702.
Often the building official will determine what type of generator is being installed. I can't help you with the other NFPA Codes as I am not familiar with them.
 
Tony,

Just my opinion, but I think the NEC allows 'all' to install a 'stand-by' gen.

and connect anything they want, in compliance with the NEC, to it.
 
Hey, after you've got your legally required generator stuff covered, everyone is free to install as much load on an optional standby generator as they want to.

It will be a bit rough 10 years from now determining what equipment runs off what generator.
 
mdshunk said:
Hey, after you've got your legally required generator stuff covered, everyone is free to install as much load on an optional standby generator as they want to.

It will be a bit rough 10 years from now determining what equipment runs off what generator.
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There is no other generator. A generator is not required in a class "A" assisted living facility. Battery backup egress and exit lighting and fire alarm is what is currently installed.

My question was if a generator is installed does that mean it has to be treated as the emergency system.
 
Thanks, everyone.

Is an annunciator required since this generator would have nothing to do with life safety branch or critical care branch?

For sizing the generator how do I treat the A/C unit? It seems like there is something about the LRA to consider but I can't find it in the code. LRA is 170, RLA is 26.6.
 
wirebender said:
No answers, anyone?
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I think your answer is that since nobody's legally requiring this generator in the first place, you're free to wire it as no frills as you want. I know I sure wouldn't put a remote annunciator panel on the thing unless the customer wanted one for some reason. It's a generator for comfort, not a generator for life and safety.
 
wirebender said:
Thanks Marc.
What about the sizing question?
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Sorry, I can't help you out there. I use the services of an engineer to size a generator for multiple motor loads. Not so much money for relief from a huge potential headache. There's gonna be some smart person help you out in a bit, I feel sure.
 
Wirebender,

It really can't hurt to much to oversize just a little bit, once the customer

knows the gen. has been ordered, it starts: " Oh, we forgot to tell you that

we need the --------- on the gen. and if it's not too much trouble could you

wire the --------- on the gen. too" JMO. That smart guy that Marc spoke of

should be along any time now.
 
I like putting remote annunciators in (assuming you are putting in a decent genset with a decent annunciator). At least that way the staff can see the "no oil" or "low fuel" light on, whereas the only way they would know otherwise is to go out to the generator and find out IF they paid attention to the alarm and checked out the lights.
 
nakulak said:
I like putting remote annunciators in (assuming you are putting in a decent genset with a decent annunciator). At least that way the staff can see the "no oil" or "low fuel" light on, whereas the only way they would know otherwise is to go out to the generator and find out IF they paid attention to the alarm and checked out the lights.
Click to expand...


Good point, thanks.
 
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