Critical Operations Power Systems

[hayz]

Hi

I currently have a multi-use project that contains a police station and fire station and a lot of work has going into improving the resilience of assigned "emergency areas" to improve the chances that part of this building will be operational following a disaster. It is my interpretation that due to the nature of this building we would need to comply with the requirement of Article 708 Critical Operation Power Systems. This building has not been formally identified as a DCOA by the AHJ but that seems to be because the people I have talked to have not been aware of Article 708 and now they are looking for more information. It has however been identified as an "Essential Facility" for the structural and seismic design.

Will the AHJ have the final say as to what is required to comply with Article 708 or since California has adopted this article, all buildings that fit the description of a DCOA will be required?

I would also be interested in the type and location of buildings that people are aware of that have been design and installed with COPS as this would hopefully help put this building into context.

Thanks

 

[lakee911]

COPS is relatively new and I have been in the same boat that you are in now. Who defines the need isn't always clear. We, as the engineer, typically take into account all pertinent rules, regs and standards and make our determination based on that.

Sometimes we find a vague reference and it's debatable so we always discuss it with the client. Typically I work with entities (e.g., municipalities) that also control the building department and that means the AHJ is also on board with 'not seeing the need.' That differs from most projects. As a general rule, though, when it?s clear and client preference/interpretation isn't given, we always follow 708 to the greatest extent possible.

We apply COPS to water and wastewater treatment facilities. I might be a bit off on my facts, but I think it is the Dept of Homeland Security that has declared some of these facilities as essential.