FACP Lockout

[WA_Sparky]

Hello all,

I just worked on a project involving a business that wasn't required by code to have a Fire alarm system in their building. The client mentioned it was wanted anyways, so we designed one for them. Fire marshal mentioned partial systems are allowed and so on. This business didn't have a dedicated electrical room and the panels were just recessed on the walls in the managers space/break room. Since this space was not dedicated to elec/fire equip under lock and key for authorized personnel only, the breaker serving FACP needed to have lockout.

What is the purpose of the FACP lock out if the panels main can be shut off and there's still power through the rest of the building? Isn't a lock out specifically designed to prevent someone from flipping the breaker on/off? Would it make more sense to require the panel locked as well as any upstream devices serving the FACP?

Thanks,

 

[roger]

Hello all,

I just worked on a project involving a business that wasn't required by code to have a Fire alarm system in their building. The client mentioned it was wanted anyways, so we designed one for them. Fire marshal mentioned partial systems are allowed and so on. This business didn't have a dedicated electrical room and the panels were just recessed on the walls in the managers space/break room. Since this space was not dedicated to elec/fire equip under lock and key for authorized personnel only, the breaker serving FACP needed to have lockout.

What is the purpose of the FACP lock out if the panels main can be shut off and there's still power through the rest of the building? Isn't a lock out specifically designed to prevent someone from flipping the breaker on/off? Would it make more sense to require the panel locked as well as any upstream devices serving the FACP?

Thanks,

The inspector is asking for a lock to keep the breaker from being turned off accidently, the main is unlikely to be shut off.

It will not keep the breaker from tripping though.

Roger

 

[infinity]

I agree with Roger the breaker "lock out" is actually a "lock-on", it keeps someone from inadvertently shutting it off. Obviously it can be removed with a screwdriver but it will prevent accidental shutoff.