TORNADO SHELTER - emergency generator

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dannyrzk

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tulsa, OK
Good morning, I'm looking information the enforcement of emergency generator for a tornado shelter.
ICC 500, Section 702.3.1 "THE EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM SHALL HAVE ADEQUATE CAPACITY..." but a later exception specify that the use of Flash-Light when less than 50 occupant is permitted, at a rate of one flash-light per 10 occupants.

so here is my question, is an Emergency generator a requirements for tornado shelter?

thanks
 
Since the International Code Council (ICC) 500-2014 is a referenced standard in the 2015 International Building Code® (IBC) and the 2015 International Residential Code® (IRC). Buildings or spaces designated for use as a shelter from tornadoes and/or hurricanes within the scope of the IBC and IRC must conform to the requirements in ICC 500.

I don't have a copy of 500-2014, but I don't see the word "shelter" in the building code in Chapter 27 (Electrical) where you might normally see stuff that is required to be on generator.

From the abbreviated text you posted, seems that a generator (Article 700) is needed unless you have less than 50 occupants.

BTW, I haven't design a shelter before
 
dannyrzk said:
Good morning, I'm looking information the enforcement of emergency generator for a tornado shelter.
ICC 500, Section 702.3.1 "THE EMERGENCY ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM SHALL HAVE ADEQUATE CAPACITY..." but a later exception specify that the use of Flash-Light when less than 50 occupant is permitted, at a rate of one flash-light per 10 occupants.

so here is my question, is an Emergency generator a requirements for tornado shelter?

thanks
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That is going to be an AHJ call. How many occupants? What class. of structure? The NEC doesn't regulate where the generator goes but how it shall be treated once the classification has been made of what type system is installed.
 
I'm not sure about the flashlights, but if your only emergency load is the lighting, you could also use dual head emergency lights with a battery (unit equipment.)

But I believe ICC 500 (or one of the codes for a tornado shelter) requires a longer runtime - maybe 2 hours?

To get the longer runtime, you can get ones that have remote capacity, and that extra capacity will give a longer runtime.

That would be much easier than trying to tornado proof a generator.
 
steve66 said:
I'm not sure about the flashlights, but if your only emergency load is the lighting, you could also use dual head emergency lights with a battery (unit equipment.)

But I believe ICC 500 (or one of the codes for a tornado shelter) requires a longer runtime - maybe 2 hours?

To get the longer runtime, you can get ones that have remote capacity, and that extra capacity will give a longer runtime.

That would be much easier than trying to tornado proof a generator.
Click to expand...



First of all, thank you, I always takes something out of everyone responses.

In regard to the use of a battery, that's the route I been exploring and more than ever, no I will give a remote battery, to comply with ICC-500 2hrs requirements.

Appreciate it!
 
You never said what this shelter is accessory to.
Is it at a school? Hospital? EOC? Mobile home? Igloo?
Customer may want more than minimum.
Maybe 2 flashlights and a radio? :)
 
dannyrzk said:
it is attached to a new gymnasium!
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Sounds like a low voltage lighting system in the shelter run off batteries that are on a trickle charger. What is the capacity of the shelter? Is there ventilation that has to remain operational?
 
gadfly56 said:
Sounds like a low voltage lighting system in the shelter run off batteries that are on a trickle charger. What is the capacity of the shelter? Is there ventilation that has to remain operational?
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Yea, the ventilation could be an issue with using batteries. Looking at ICC 500, for under 50 people, you either need 5 square inches per person of natural ventilation, or you need mechanical ventilation on emergency power.
 
"Yea, the ventilation could be an issue with using batteries. Looking at ICC 500, for under 50 people, you either need 5 square inches per person of natural ventilation, or you need mechanical ventilation on emergency power."



I'm not sure about this, but the mechanical design did made provision for natural ventilation. I guess I need to check on that as well.


 
steve66 said:
Yea, the ventilation could be an issue with using batteries. Looking at ICC 500, for under 50 people, you either need 5 square inches per person of natural ventilation, or you need mechanical ventilation on emergency power.
Click to expand...



After researching about the ventilation,(for 275 occupants),I will need an emergency generator.

Thank you for pointing the ventilation issue.
 
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