Critical Operations Power Systems NEC Art 708

[dlducks]

I have been asked to write a memo on the Inspection procedure on COPS for a new emergency facility being built in my jursidiction. I need a little help with this because it is such a critical task. I need the detail to include all of the elements from the generator to testing of the settings of the switch gear.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[dlducks]

I have been asked to write a memo on the Inspection procedure on COPS for a new emergency facility being built in my jursidiction. I need a little help.

 

[brother]

I have been asked to write a memo on the Inspection procedure on COPS for a new emergency facility being built in my jursidiction. I need a little help.

since thats such a new article, I know not too many will respond to it because no one has anything.

I suggest you look at Maintenance and Standards practice 70B (I think its called) to start. see what the manufacterer is for the switch gear and see what their manuals say on maintenance and testing. Same for the generators.

Also you might get some hints from NFPA 99 used for hospitals. Just remember that emergency power is suppose to start in 10 seconds. What type of facillity is this anyways.

 

[ceb58]

Knowing what type facility this is would help. As this is a new section of code some are still scratching there head on who's responsibility is it to come up with written documentation and who will make the decision if the facility will fall under COPS. The AHJ? or the facility and have it approved by the AHJ?

 

[dlducks]

:grin:The new facility is a new emergency room with a generator back-up system. Also the plan examiner has requested a .01 of a second trip setting on the switch gear for arc faults. The manufacturer has complied and will be maunfacturing the gear to specs. I am not very comfortable with maybe setting a standard in a process of inspection that is so critical. My other problem is putting it on paper. I will read the standards that you have refered for me and hopefully come up with something. Any help with this will be appreciated to the fullest!

 

[brother]

:grin:The new facility is a new emergency room with a generator back-up system. Also the plan examiner has requested a .01 of a second trip setting on the switch gear for arc faults. The manufacturer has complied and will be maunfacturing the gear to specs. I am not very comfortable with maybe setting a standard in a process of inspection that is so critical. My other problem is putting it on paper. I will read the standards that you have refered for me and hopefully come up with something. Any help with this will be appreciated to the fullest!

This new 'emergency room' I assume is part of a hospital right??? if that be the case then NFPA 99 should cover that quiet thoroughly (testing receptacles/lighting power etc) and 70b maintenance standards. Dont forget about NEC 2008 517 . As far as writing something seperate, I hope your insurance covers this stuff, there is a potential for liability here.

 

[dlducks]

This is a part of a hospital. Thanks for the advice. The more I read about COPS the more I think my superiors need to be a part of this.

 

[ceb58]

:grin:The new facility is a new emergency room with a generator back-up system. Also the plan examiner has requested a .01 of a second trip setting on the switch gear for arc faults. The manufacturer has complied and will be maunfacturing the gear to specs. I am not very comfortable with maybe setting a standard in a process of inspection that is so critical. My other problem is putting it on paper. I will read the standards that you have refered for me and hopefully come up with something. Any help with this will be appreciated to the fullest!

By reading your profile you are a building inspector correct?(no offence intended) but I see the owner/contractor supplying you with there documentation for approval by the AHJ. Look at 708.1 FPN 1-8 . I dont know what and/or how detailed they want to get. 708 goes from testing, security, branch circ. to identification. If they want a detailed testing and compliance report done it should fall on an EE to come up with the standard and let you and your office ether approve it or reject it.

 

[cadpoint]

By reading your profile you are a building inspector correct?(no offence intended) but I see the owner/contractor supplying you with there documentation for approval by the AHJ. Look at 708.1 FPN 1-8 . I dont know what and/or how detailed they want to get. 708 goes from testing, security, branch circ. to identification. If they want a detailed testing and compliance report done it should fall on an EE to come up with the standard and let you and your office ether approve it or reject it.

No, I don't agree, first there a lot to the FPN notes of this article, I think it's near sided to ask an engineer (outside engineer)to develop some method of coverage as to what is met with all or a lot of aspects that's unkown by even the OP understands he's at the level to develop the plan of action!
He's sided on complete application, as I read it!

It's part of Article 700 first, the committie has the a yes/ no, well how can they just be willie nilly about 700. Sorry, it's not a well we should it's more of a "we will do" situation! Not by a commitee other than to make sure the coverage of all aspects of 708 are met!

700 is a special conditions, 708 seems to go real long as to what they want! I keep thinking back to just maintaining the (3) conditions of emergency lighting! wow it's 700 and legally required is 701... I see a theme here...

If One where to think of it could it not be addressed to reflect a route testing of systems as shown in the being through 700, since it is part of that article?

 

[steve066]

I saw CADPOINT mention article 700, but I didn't see anyone ask the basic question:

Are you sure this is an article 708 system, and not an article 700 system??

What types of loads do they have on this system? And do they have a separate article 700 system??

I also saw mention of an engineer, and In My Opinion, any significant changes to a hospitals electrical system should have an engineer doing design drawings. Just having an electrician and manufacturers drawings usually wouldn't cut it.

Steve