AM59
Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
I'm working on a retrofit project in a high-rise building in Massachusetts. I'm aware of building code and NEC requirements that require Standby power and Emergency power in high rises for the elevator systems and fire pump, as well as other accessory systems (fire command center lighting and power, Fire Alarm, etc.). This building currently uses either lighting inverters or wall-mounted battery emergency lights for emergency egress lighting (similarly for exit signs; self-contained batteries); there is no dedicated life safety/Emergency/Article 700 ATS or distribution aside from the fire pump ATS and controller.
For some reason, I was under the impression that the IBC 2021 and Massachusetts amendments thereof had some sort of a requirement that emergency power be provided by a generator. I spoke with a former colleague of mine about this and he said there is, in Article 400 of the IBC. I looked in the IBC and can find no proscription on the type of emergency power source, only that there be one.
Is it ok to use normal dual-light emergency battery units for egress lighting in a high rise in Massachusetts, or does this violate some other code that I'm missing (or am I misinterpreting the code)?
For some reason, I was under the impression that the IBC 2021 and Massachusetts amendments thereof had some sort of a requirement that emergency power be provided by a generator. I spoke with a former colleague of mine about this and he said there is, in Article 400 of the IBC. I looked in the IBC and can find no proscription on the type of emergency power source, only that there be one.
Is it ok to use normal dual-light emergency battery units for egress lighting in a high rise in Massachusetts, or does this violate some other code that I'm missing (or am I misinterpreting the code)?
