EPO Requirement for UPS Rooms

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Shujinko

Shujinko

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I have a project that will have a dedicated room that only houses a UPS system. This UPS will feed branch circuits in IT server rooms. Are there any requirements for an Emergency Stop Button (EPO) in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code? Any requirements for a clean agent system in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code?
 
Shujinko said:
I have a project that will have a dedicated room that only houses a UPS system. This UPS will feed branch circuits in IT server rooms. Are there any requirements for an Emergency Stop Button (EPO) in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code? Any requirements for a clean agent system in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code?
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Depending on the occupancy type of the building, it may require sprinklers. Considering the damage that might do to a UPS room, it's cheap insurance to replace it with a clean agent system. Keep in mind that this may not keep sprinklers out of the room, but the AHJ will likely let you use a preaction system to reduce the chance of accidental release.
 
nec_addicted said:
The host of this forum has a nice ECM Magazine article on your request for assistance:
https://www.mikeholt.com/mojonewsarchive/NEC-HTML/HTML/Article645CodeBasics~20030102.htm

and NFPA 75 Std for the Fire Protection of IT Equipment 8.4 and Annex D
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NFPA 75 is not adopted as a code by any jurisdiction that I am aware of in the US. So you can follow it if you choose

If you follow the regular wiring method chapters of the NEC (1-4, 7 & 8), and do not attempt to use the leniencies allowed in 645 of the NEC, there is no requirement for an EPO. If you try to use the leniences in 645, then you would need to follow the prerequisites of 645 which are found in 645.4 which will direct you to 645.10 for the EPO requirements (disconnecting means). Keep in mind that no data center designer worth their salt now a days, thinks the liability of an EPO is worth the small leniencies allowed by 645.
 
ron said:
NFPA 75 is not adopted as a code by any jurisdiction that I am aware of in the US. So you can follow it if you choose

If you follow the regular wiring method chapters of the NEC (1-4, 7 & 8), and do not attempt to use the leniencies allowed in 645 of the NEC, there is no requirement for an EPO. If you try to use the leniences in 645, then you would need to follow the prerequisites of 645 which are found in 645.4 which will direct you to 645.10 for the EPO requirements (disconnecting means). Keep in mind that no data center designer worth their salt now a days, thinks the liability of an EPO is worth the small leniencies allowed by 645.
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Where is the place in the NEC where it says if I preform regular wiring methods in NEC 1-4,7,8 I don't have to comply with NEC 645.
 
Shujinko said:
Where is the place in the NEC where it says if I preform regular wiring methods in NEC 1-4,7,8 I don't have to comply with NEC 645.
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645.4 Special Requirements for Information Technology
Equipment Room. This article shall be permitted to
provide alternate wiring methods to the provisions of Chapter
3 and Article 708 for power wiring, Parts I and III of
Article 725 for signaling wiring, ............
 
ron said:
NFPA 75 is not adopted as a code by any jurisdiction that I am aware of in the US. So you can follow it if you choose

If you follow the regular wiring method chapters of the NEC (1-4, 7 & 8), and do not attempt to use the leniencies allowed in 645 of the NEC, there is no requirement for an EPO. If you try to use the leniences in 645, then you would need to follow the prerequisites of 645 which are found in 645.4 which will direct you to 645.10 for the EPO requirements (disconnecting means). Keep in mind that no data center designer worth their salt now a days, thinks the liability of an EPO is worth the small leniencies allowed by 645.
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Well stated. An EPO switch requirement is urban legend unless, as you mention, you wish to partake in Article 645.
 
NFPA 75- Risk Assessment- Under Raised Floor

NFPA 75- Risk Assessment- Under Raised Floor

Shujinko said:
I have a project that will have a dedicated room that only houses a UPS system. This UPS will feed branch circuits in IT server rooms. Are there any requirements for an Emergency Stop Button (EPO) in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code? Any requirements for a clean agent system in UPS Rooms in any NFPA code?
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ly

The primary reason NFPA 75 is used is for risk assessment. Since the OP asked in the origin about clean agent and other (EPO) I found a 2002 article and put a link to it (above).

Read NFPA 75 or Mike Holt's (link version) if it suits you. Normally clients require "compliance" (code adoption) and "conformance" (group / client specifications) review and appropriate inclusion. It is always good to have back-up notes. Code is the minimum we should check, with all the exceptions and opinions.
 
NEC 645 points to NFPA 75 heavily for reference by informational notes. For instance fire rating - how would one know hour rating wo 75?

Adding to this topic, the design engineer should be reviewing owner insurance requirements also.
 
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