I. General
701.1 Scope. The provisions of this article apply to the electrical safety of the installation, operation, and maintenance of legally required standby systems consisting of circuits and equipment intended to supply, distribute, and control electricity to required facilities for illumination or power, or both, when the normal electrical supply or system is interrupted.
The systems covered by this article consist only of those that are permanently installed in their entirety, including the power source.
FPN No. 1: For additional information, see NFPA 99-
2005, Standard for Health Care Facilities.
FPN No. 2: For further information regarding performance of emergency and standby power systems, see NFPA 110-2005, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
FPN No. 3: For further information, see ANSI/IEEE 446-
1995, Recommended Practice for Emergency and
Standby Power Systems for Industrial and
Commercial Applications.
701.2 Definition.
Legally Required Standby Systems. Those systems re- quired and so classed as legally required standby by municipal, state, federal, or other codes or by any governmental agency having jurisdiction. These systems are intended to automatically supply power to selected loads (other than those classed as emergency systems) in the event of failure of the normal source.
FPN: Legally required standby systems are typically in- stalled to serve loads, such as heating and refrigeration systems, communications systems, ventilation and smoke removal systems, sewage disposal, lighting systems, and industrial processes, that, when stopped during any interruption of the normal electrical supply, could create hazards or hamper rescue or fire-fighting operations.
701.3 Application of Other Articles. Except as modified by this article, all applicable articles of this Code shall apply.
701.4 Equipment Approval. All equipment shall be ap- proved for the intended use.
701.5 Tests and Maintenance for Legally Required
Standby Systems.
(A) Conduct or Witness Test The authority having juris- diction shall conduct or witness a test of the complete system upon installation.
(B) Tested Periodically. Systems shall be tested periodically on a schedule and in a manner acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction to ensure the systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
(C) Battery Systems Maintenance. Where batteries are used for control, starting, or ignition of prime movers, the authority having jurisdiction shall require periodic maintenance.
(D) Written Record. A written record shall be kept on such tests and maintenance.
(E) Testing Under Load. Means for testing legally re quired standby systems under load shall be provided.
FPN: For testing and maintenance procedures of emergency power supply systems (EPSSs), see NFPA
110-2005, Standard for Emergency and Standby Power
Systems.
701.6 Capacity and Rating. A legally required standby system shall have adequate capacity and rating for the sup
ply of all equipment intended to be operated at one time.
Legally required standby system equipment shall be
suitable
for the maximum available fault current at its terminals.
The legally required standby alternate power source shall be permitted to supply both legally required standby and optional standby system loads under either of the following conditions:
(1) Where the alternate source has adequate capacity to handle all connected loads
Where automatic selective load pickup and load