National Fire Code of Canada 2005

6.5. Emergency Power Systems and Unit Equipment for Emergency Lighting
6.5.1. General
6.5.1.1 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

1) Except as provided in Articles 6.5.1.2. to 6.5.1.5., emergency power systems shall be inspected, tested and maintained in conformance with CAN/CSA-C282, “Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings.”

2) An emergency electrical power supply system for emergency equipment for health care facilities shall be inspected, tested and maintained in conformance with CSA Z32, “Electrical Safety and Essential Electrical Systems in Health Care Facilities.” (See Appendix A.)

6.5.1.2 Notification

1) When an emergency power system or any part thereof is shut down, the supervisory staff shall be notified in conformance with Section 2.8.

6.5.1.3 Instructions

1) 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.

6.5.1.4 Records

1) Written records shall be maintained as required in CAN/CSA-C282, “Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings.”

6.5.1.5.Supply of Fresh Fuel

1)Liquid fuel storage tanks shall be drained and refilled with fresh fuel at intervals not greater than 12 months. (See Appendix A.)

6.5.1.6.Inspection of Unit Equipment

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, and
d) the battery surface is kept clean and dry.

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 criterion 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 functioning in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.

6.5.1.5.(1) Application Intent

Application 1:

Frequency of draining and refilling with fresh fuel of liquid fuel storage tanks that supply fuel to emergency power systems.
This applies to emergency power systems in buildings that are used to supply emergency power to fire alarm systems, voice communication systems in high buildings, fans and other electrical equipment installed to maintain air quality and venting in high buildings, elevators in high buildings, water supply for firefighting, smoke management systems in interconnected floor spaces and emergency lighting systems.

Application 2:

This also applies to internal combustion engines used to power supplementary blowers required by the National Building Code of Canada in tents and air-supported structures, as stated in Sentence 2.9.3.6.(1).

Intent 1:

To limit the probability of degeneration of, or impurity buildup in, the liquid fuel, which could lead to emergency power systems not operating as originally intended when there is a loss of normal power in an emergency situation, which could lead to the inability of the emergency power systems to supply emergency lighting systems to illuminate floor areas and egress routes, which could lead to safety hazards [such as bumping, tripping, falling, etc.], which could lead to harm to persons.

Intent 2:

fire alarm or voice communication systems to promptly notify persons in the building, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place,
emergency lighting systems to illuminate egress routes, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place,
smoke management systems to control smoke conditions as originally intended, which could lead to delays in emergency response operations, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place, and
elevator systems to be used in emergency response operations, which could lead to delays in emergency response operations, which could lead to delays in the evacuation or movement of persons to a safe place.

This is to limit the probability of harm to persons.

Intent 3:

To supersede the requirements of Sentence 6.5.1.1.(1).