optional standby vs. emergency

[JES2727]

At a final inspection today for an optional standby generator the inspector asked for a start-up report. I'm happy to provide it to him, but I casually remarked that he was not required by Article 702 to witness or even verify the start-up and transfer. He said they wanted it anyway, which was fine with me.
He called me later in the day to say that it was in fact required by Section 700.4. I said that article doesn't apply. He said it does, because there's exit lights and such in the building. It's an existing building. The exits & egress lights are battery back-up. The gen backs up the entire service.
Who's right??

 

[ceb58]

At a final inspection today for an optional standby generator the inspector asked for a start-up report. I'm happy to provide it to him, but I casually remarked that he was not required by Article 702 to witness or even verify the start-up and transfer. He said they wanted it anyway, which was fine with me.
He called me later in the day to say that it was in fact required by Section 700.4. I said that article doesn't apply. He said it does, because there's exit lights and such in the building. It's an existing building. The exits & egress lights are battery back-up. The gen backs up the entire service.
Who's right??

Whats the building for? 700.1 FPN 1-4 gives the generial places under ART.700. 700.1 states that the system be legally requried and classed as emergency by governmental agency having jurisdiction.
But if the install passed inspection I would not be to concerned with a contest of who is right and who is wrong, if you know what I mean :roll:

 

[roger]

At a final inspection today for an optional standby generator the inspector asked for a start-up report. I'm happy to provide it to him, but I casually remarked that he was not required by Article 702 to witness or even verify the start-up and transfer. He said they wanted it anyway, which was fine with me.
He called me later in the day to say that it was in fact required by Section 700.4. I said that article doesn't apply. He said it does, because there's exit lights and such in the building. It's an existing building. The exits & egress lights are battery back-up. The gen backs up the entire service.
Who's right??

Disregarding any other codes, you are right.

Roger

 

[JES2727]

Whats the building for? 700.1 FPN 1-4 gives the generial places under ART.700. 700.1 states that the system be legally requried and classed as emergency by governmental agency having jurisdiction.
But if the install passed inspection I would not be to concerned with a contest of who is right and who is wrong, if you know what I mean :roll:

It's an optional standby system serving a small office building. 400A service. It was certainly no contest with the inspector about right & wrong. Like I said, I'll gladly send him the start-up report. Just a friendly discussion about the code.

Disregarding any other codes, you are right.

Roger

Thank you. What other codes might come into play and make Art.700 applicable?

After some discussion the inspector cited 702.5(B)(2)(a). He needs the start-up report to verify that the gen is capable of supplying the full load. He's got me on that one. No argument from me....

 

[yucan2]

It's an optional standby system serving a small office building. 400A service. It was certainly no contest with the inspector about right & wrong. Like I said, I'll gladly send him the start-up report. Just a friendly discussion about the code.


Thank you. What other codes might come into play and make Art.700 applicable?

After some discussion the inspector cited 702.5(B)(2)(a). He needs the start-up report to verify that the gen is capable of supplying the full load. He's got me on that one. No argument from me....

Good attitude but don't leave thinking you were wrong. Your load calcs and the generator nameplate info. was all he (or she), needed for that optional standby unit. Anything else was borne of ignorance, muscle flexing, or both.

 

[ceb58]

After some discussion the inspector cited 702.5(B)(2)(a).

He called me later in the day to say that it was in fact required by Section 700.4.

The inspector doesn't even know which code article it falls under.
All you would be requried to present is a load calculation on the building. If the gen. is not large enough then you must show where you have shed loads to bring the amp rating into the generators range.

 

[emahler]

it's gonna become more of a topic as more customers install generators, and more inspectors know less about the code...

we recently had a situation where the EI was trying to require a customer to install a generator for a backup to their sprinkler pump...

building is a warehouse - no public access -

utility verified that their line is reliable...

EI was ready to fail the engineered (and plan review approved) design...

A phone call to the head of regulatory affairs for NJ solved the issue...

use the DCA and regulatory affairs...they are one of the few places EC's can go....

 

[iwire]

At a final inspection today for an optional standby generator the inspector asked for a start-up report. I'm happy to provide it to him, but I casually remarked that he was not required by Article 702 to witness or even verify the start-up and transfer. He said they wanted it anyway, which was fine with me.
He called me later in the day to say that it was in fact required by Section 700.4. I said that article doesn't apply. He said it does, because there's exit lights and such in the building. It's an existing building. The exits & egress lights are battery back-up. The gen backs up the entire service.
Who's right??

That is an absolutely ridiculous interpretation.

The fact that the generator supplies the entire building clearly rules out Artcile 700.

The inspector is wrong.

 

[millelec]

...
EI was ready to fail the engineered (and plan review approved) design...

A phone call to the head of regulatory affairs for NJ solved the issue...

use the DCA and regulatory affairs...they are one of the few places EC's can go....

agreed, emahler. some of the local building officials can be really out of control. we had to appeal to the state as well, was regarding an existing installation of a firepump from early 70's, so was grandfathered since met performance criteria at time of install. suspect evil motivation$ on part of official, it was pretty off the wall. was mechanical vice electrical issues, but NJ DCA saved our butts as well.