Chapter 4 of NFPA 110 covers the Classification of Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSSs). Many codes and standards refer to the class and type of EPSS as defined in NFPA 110. NFPA 110 does not determine which occupancies require a particular type, class, or level of EPSS. Rather, it recognizes two Contact online >>
Chapter 4 of NFPA 110 covers the Classification of Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSSs). Many codes and standards refer to the class and type of EPSS as defined in NFPA 110. NFPA 110 does not determine which occupancies require a particular type, class, or level of EPSS. Rather, it recognizes two levels of classification:
Once the system is identified as either critical to life safety (Level 1) or less critical (Level 2), the design engineer or facility manager will be able to determine which requirements apply to that system.
It is important to note that NFPA 110 does not state which applications require the installation of a Level 1 or Level 2 EPSS, nor does it specify the loads to be connected to the EPSS (1.1.5). Other codes and standards (e.g. NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, and NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities Code) will dictate the appropriate level and requirements for a given occupancy. The authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) will interpret whether a Level 1 or Level 2 EPSS is required in a particular city or region.
In addition to Level, the categories used in classifying EPSSs include Class (minimum runtime) and Type (power restoration time). All three need to be specified in any project specification to ensure that the proper system configuration is quoted and supplied.
Class defines the minimum time, in hours, for which the EPSS is designed to operate at its rated load without refueling. (4.2) Most commonly specified are: Class 48 (minimum of 48 hours). Class X (other time, in hours, as required by the application, code, or user) may be interpreted differently by the AHJ, but it generally translates to 72 or 96 hours of rated output. (Table 4.1 (a) Classification of EPSSs)
Type defines to the maximum time, in seconds, that the EPSS is will permit the load terminals of the transfer switch to be without acceptable electrical power. (4.3). It refers to the number of seconds that the system has to be up and running and carrying the critical loads. For Level 1 EPSSs, all Level 1 loads need to be transferred to the EPSS in 10 seconds regardless of how large or how small the system is. This is known as a Type 10 designation. (Table 4.1 (b) Types of EPSSs)
The purpose of the NFPA 110 classification method is for designers to specify a system that is capable of providing a "source of electrical power of required capacity, reliability, and quality to loads for a length of time as specified in Table 4.1 (a) and within a specified time following loss or failure of the normal power supply as specified in Table 4.1 (b)" (4.1)
Watch this mtu 3,250 kW generator set start and assume full rated load in one step, in less than 10 seconds, as required by NFPA 110 Type 10.
Learn more about the requirements of NFPA 110 and best practices for the installation and ongoing performance of backup power systems to ensure that they are able to provide a reliable source of electrical power in an emergency.
Learn more about what is covered by NFPA 110, who enforces compliance, and official definitions of terms used throughout the standard.
Learn more about the classes and types of Emergency Power Supply Systems (EPSSs) and how to apply the requirements of NFPA 110 for the application.
Learn more about the NFPA 110 requirements for specifying generator sets and accessories used to generate backup electrical power in an emergency.
Learn more about the performance requirements of transfer switches under NFPA 110
Learn more about the installation requirements for EPSSs and the environmental conditions that may affect its performance in an emergency.
Learn more about the NFPA 110 acceptance testing requirements for EPSS installations in new and existing buildings.
Learn more about the requirements for performing maintenance and operational testing under NFPA 110 to ensure that reliable standby power will be available when needed.
Learn more about the publications referenced within NFPA 110 and additional information references to help achieve compliance with the standard.
Learn more about the terminology, official definitions, and technical terms used throughout NFPA 110.
An emergency power system is an independent source of electrical power that supports important electrical systems on loss of normal power supply. A standby power system may include a standby generator, batteries and other apparatus. Emergency power systems are installed to protect life and property from the consequences of loss of primary electric power supply. It is a type of continual power system.
They find uses in a wide variety of settings from homes to hospitals, scientific laboratories, data centers,[1] telecommunication[2] equipment and ships. Emergency power systems can rely on generators, deep-cycle batteries, flywheel energy storage[3] or fuel cells.[4][5]
Emergency power systems were used as early as World War II on naval ships. In combat, a ship may lose the function of its boilers, which power the steam turbines for the ship''s generator. In such a case, one or more diesel engines are used to drive back-up generators. Early transfer switches relied on manual operation; two switches would be placed horizontally, in line and the "on" position facing each other. a rod is placed in between. In order to operate the switch one source must be turned off, the rod moved to the other side and the other source turned on.
Mains power can be lost due to downed lines, malfunctions at a sub-station, inclement weather, planned blackouts or in extreme cases a grid-wide failure. In modern buildings, most emergency power systems have been and are still based on generators. Usually, these generators are Diesel engine driven, although smaller buildings may use a gasoline engine driven generator.
Some larger building have gas turbines, but they can take 5 or up to 30 minutes to produce power.[6]
Lately, more use is being made of deep cycle batteries and other technologies such as flywheel energy storage or fuel cells. These latter systems do not produce polluting gases, thereby allowing the placement to be done within the building. Also, as a second advantage, they do not require a separate shed to be built for fuel storage.[7]
With regular generators, an automatic transfer switch is used to connect emergency power. One side is connected to both the normal power feed and the emergency power feed; and the other side is connected to the load designated as emergency. If no electricity comes in on the normal side, the transfer switch uses a solenoid to throw a triple pole, double throw switch. This switches the feed from normal to emergency power. The loss of normal power also triggers a battery operated starter system to start the generator, similar to using a car battery to start an engine. Once the transfer switch is switched and the generator starts, the building''s emergency power comes back on (after going off when normal power was lost).
In commercial and military aircraft it is critical to maintain power to essential systems during an emergency. This can be done via Ram air turbines or battery emergency power supplies which enables pilots to maintain radio contact and continue to navigate using MFD, GPS, VOR receiver or directional gyro during for more than an hour.
Localizer, glideslope, and other instrument landing aids (such as microwave transmitters) are both high power consumers and mission-critical, and cannot be reliably operated from a battery supply, even for short periods. Hence, when absolute reliability is required (such as when Category 3 operations are in force at the airport) it is usual to run the system from a diesel generator with automatic switchover to the mains supply should the generator fail. This avoids any interruption to transmission while a generator is brought up to operating speed.
This is opposed to the typical view of emergency power systems, where the backup generators are seen as secondary to the mains electrical supply.
Computers, communication networks, and other modern electronic devices need not only power, but also a steady flow of it to continue to operate. If the source voltage drops significantly or drops out completely, these devices will fail, even if the power loss is only for a fraction of a second. Because of this, even a generator back-up does not provide protection because of the start-up time involved.
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