Standby systems(not legally required)

[One Eye 04]

I’ve recently been asked to install a gen set at a hotel to provide power to emergency lighting and several computers. As far as I know, this is not currently legally required, but once I install the generator, am I then legally required to supply any specific loads per NEC? Also, do I have to supply “back-up” power to one of the building’s elevators?

Thank you

 

[charlie b]

Please take greater care with your use of terms. You say that the generator will supply "emergency lighting." That tells me you are into article 700, and that all the requirements for an "emergency" distribution system will come into play. Put another way, "emergency lighting" is a legal requirement. But if there are "egress lights" (a more appropriate term) in the building now, how are they getting their backup power? I suspect it is from batteries. If that is true, and if you can supply them from a second AC source (i.e., the generator), then you are into article 702 for an "optional standby system."

The question of whether an elevator must be supplied from the generator, and under what rules (i.e., 700, 701, or 702) belongs to the local building codes.

 

[ron]

As mentioned, if this is a 702 application, you need to check the adopted local building code to see if other items must be added even though you didn't plan to.

For example, I added a 702 generator in NYC once, and was forced to add a slew of other loads which increased the size of the generator tremendously.

If the jurisdiction adopts a version of the ICC codes, it is usually in Chapter 27