Whole Building on Generator

[Ragin Cajun]

If the whole building is on a generator, is it required to "segregate" some lights for emergency lights or can we use the entire lighting system instead.

Client wants whole building on a generator and having to segregate our some lights seems a waste. Generator is sized to carry the whole building.


Thanks,

RC

 

[ron]

Are there battery backed up exit and emergency lights already?
If so, then the generator is not the life safety source (Article 700 or 701), and there is no need to segregate.

 

[W6SJK]

In a word - No. If you are required by your Building Code to provide emergency lighting you must provide that power from an "Emergency" source as you hinted. But that emergency source can never be combined with non-emergency wiring. So your best bet is to power that em ltg from integral batteries, or battery type "bug-eyes" or from a central emergency lighting inverter. That said, I once did a project for a gov't agency and they waved on the requirement for separate wiring and powered the whole building from a generator and didn't provide any other form of em lighting.

 

[tom baker]

A generator can be an emergency source if installed per Art 700. I suspect your application is per Art 701 or 702. Take a look at the scope of these three articles.
The big difference is an Art 700 generator is painted red and costs a lot more.

 

[sparkyboys]

Is there a transfer switch?