SECTION 6.7 – EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEMS, UNIT EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND EXIT SIGNS
SECTION 6.7 EMERGENCY POWER SYSTEMS, UNIT EQUIPMENT FOR EMERGENCY LIGHTING AND EXIT SIGNS
Subsection 6.7.1. General
6.7.1.1. (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2), and Articles 6.7.1.2. to 6.7.1.5., emergency power systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in conformance with CSA-C282, “Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings”.
(2) An emergency electrical power supply system for emergency equipment in hospitals shall be inspected, tested and maintained in conformance with CSA-Z32, “Electrical Safety and Essential Electrical Systems in Health Care Facilities”.
(3) If an emergency power system or any part thereof is shut down
(a) the fire department and building occupants shall be notified in accordance with Article 1.1.1.1., and
(b) the supervisory staff shall be notified.
Instructions for switching and starting
6.7.1.2. Where an emergency power system is installed, instructions shall be provided for switching on essential loads and for starting the generator when this is not done automatically.
Inspection and testing
6.7.1.3. Despite the requirements of Subsection 1.1.2., written records shall be maintained as required in CSA-C282, “Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings”.
Fuel supply
6.7.1.4. The amount of fuel stored and connected to the emergency power system shall be sufficient to operate the engine for at least 2 h.
6.7.1.5. (1) Liquid fuel storage tanks shall be drained and refilled with fresh fuel at intervals not greater than 12 months.
(2) The requirements of Sentence (1) may be achieved by replenishment as the result of the normal test program required in Article 6.7.1.1.
Inspection of emergency lighting unit equipment
6.7.1.6. (1) Self-contained emergency lighting unit equipment shall be inspected at intervals not greater than one month to ensure that
(a) pilot lights are functioning and not obviously damaged or obstructed,
(b) the terminal connections are clean, free of corrosion and lubricated when necessary,
(c) the terminal clamps are clean and tight as per manufacturer’s specifications,
(d) the battery surface is kept clean and dry, and
(e) the electrolyte level and specific gravity are maintained as per manufacturer’s specifications.
(2) Self-contained emergency lighting unit equipment shall be tested
(a) at intervals not greater than one month to ensure that the emergency lights will function upon failure of the primary power supply, and
(b) at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that the unit will provide emergency lighting for a duration equal to the design criteria under simulated power failure conditions.
(3) After completion of the test required in Clause (2)(b), the charging conditions for voltage and current and the recovery period shall be tested to ensure that the charging system is in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Inspection of emergency lights
6.7.1.7. (1) Except as provided in Article 6.7.1.6., emergency lights shall be inspected at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that they are functional.
(2) Where emergency power for the lights referred to in Sentence (1) is provided from a system of batteries, the batteries shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the procedures set out in Article 6.7.1.6.
Inspection of exit signs
6.7.1.8. (1) Except as provided in Sentence (2) and (3), exit signs shall be inspected at intervals not greater than 12 months to ensure that the exit signs will be visible upon failure of the primary power supply.
(2) Exit signs provided with a battery back-up shall be inspected at intervals
(a) not greater than one month to ensure the exit signs will be visible upon failure of the primary power supply, and
(b) not greater than 12 months to ensure the exit signs will be visible for a duration equal to the design criterion upon failure of the primary power supply.
(3) Exit signs that contain self-luminous or photoluminescent material shall be maintained in accordance with
(a) the sign manufacturer’s maintenance instructions, if any, and
(b) the conditions outlined in the approval of the designated evaluation body under the Building Code, if any.