Section 1203 — EMERGENCY AND STANDBY POWER SYSTEMS

Emergency power systems and standby power systems required by this code or the California Building Code shall comply with Sections 1203.1.1 through 1203.1.9.

1203.1.1 Stationary generators. Stationary emergency and standby power generators required by this code shall be listed in accordance with UL 2200.

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ENERGY SYSTEMS

1203.1.2 Fuel line piping protection. Fuel lines supplying a generator set inside a high-rise building or new Group I-2 occupancy having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be separated from areas of the building other than the room the generator is located in by one of the following methods:

1. A fire-resistant pipe-protection system that has been tested in accordance with UL 1489. The system shall be installed as tested and in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and shall have a rating of not less than 2 hours. Where the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the required rating shall be reduced to 1 hour.

2. An assembly that has a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours. Where the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the required fire-resistance rating shall be reduced to 1 hour.

3. Other approved methods.

1203.1.3 Installation. Emergency power systems and standby power systems shall be installed in accordance with the California Building Code, the California Electrical Code, NFPA 110 and NFPA 111.

1203.1.3.1 Combustion engines and gas turbines. The installation of combustion engines and gas turbines shall be in accor- dance with California Building Code Section 442 and NFPA 37.

1203.1.4 Load transfer. Emergency power systems shall automatically provide secondary power within 10 seconds after primary power is lost, unless specified otherwise in this code. Standby power systems shall automatically provide secondary power within 60 seconds after primary power is lost, unless specified otherwise in this code.

1203.1.5 Load duration. Emergency power systems and standby power systems shall be designed to provide the required power for a minimum duration of 2 hours without being refueled or recharged, unless specified otherwise in this code.

1203.1.5.1 High-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest floor level having building access. Emergency power systems and standby power systems shall be designed to provide the required power for a minimum duration of 6 hours without being refueled or recharged. The minimum required fuel supply shall be maintained at all times.

1 High-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest**_ floor level having building access. Emergency power systems and standby power systems shall be designed to provide the required power for a minimum duration of 6 hours without being refueled or recharged. The minimum required fuel supply shall be maintained at all times.

1203.1.6 Uninterruptable power source. An uninterrupted source of power shall be provided for equipment where required by the manufacturer’s instructions, the listing, this code or applicable referenced standards.

1203.1.7 Interchangeability. Emergency power systems shall be an acceptable alternative for installations that require standby power systems.

1203.1.8 Group I-2 occupancies. In Group I-2 occupancies located in flood hazard areas established in Section 1612.3 of the California Building Code where new essential electrical systems are installed, and where new essential electrical system generators are installed, the systems and generators shall be located and installed in accordance with ASCE 24. Where connections for hook up of temporary generators are provided, the connections shall be located at or above the elevation required in ASCE 24.

1203.1.9 Maintenance. Existing installations shall be maintained in accordance with the original approval and Section 1203.4.

Emergency and standby power systems shall be provided where required by Sections 1203.2.1 through 1203.2.19.

1203.2.1 Ambulatory care facilities. Essential electrical systems for ambulatory care facilities shall be in accordance with Section 422.6 of the California Building Code .

1203.2.2 Elevators and platform lifts. Standby power shall be provided for elevators and platform lifts as required in Sections 604.3, 1009.4.1 and 1009.5.

1203.2.3 Emergency responder communication coverage systems. Standby power shall be provided for in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage systems as required in Section 510.4.2.3. The standby power supply shall be capable of operating the in-building, two-way emergency responder communication coverage system at 100-percent system operation capacity for a duration of not less than 12 hours.

1203.2.4 Emergency voice/alarm communication systems. Standby power shall be provided for emergency voice/alarm communication systems in accordance with NFPA 72.

1203.2.5 Exhaust ventilation. Standby power shall be provided for mechanical exhaust ventilation systems as required in Section 1207.6.1.2.1. The system shall be capable of powering the required load for a duration of not less than 2 hours.

1203.2.6 Exit signs. Emergency power shall be provided for exit signs as required in Section 1013.6.3. The system shall be capable of powering the required load for a duration of not less than 90 minutes.

1203.2.7 Gas detection systems. Emergency power shall be provided for gas detection systems where required by Sections 1203.2.10 and 1203.2.17. Standby power shall be provided for gas detection systems where required by Sections 916.5 and 1207.6.1.2.4.

1203.2.8 Group I-2 occupancies. Essential electrical systems for Group I-2 occupancies shall be in accordance with Section 407.11 of the California Building Code .

12-4 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE

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ENERGY SYSTEMS

1203.2.9 Group I-3 occupancies. Power-operated sliding doors or power-operated locks for swinging doors in Group I-3 occupancies shall be operable by a manual release mechanism at the door. Emergency power shall be provided for the doors and locks.

Exceptions:

1. Emergency power is not required in facilities where provisions for remote locking and unlocking of occupied rooms in Occupancy Condition 4 are not required as set forth in the California Building Code .
2. Emergency power is not required where remote mechanical operating releases are provided.

1203.2.10 Hazardous materials. Emergency and standby power shall be provided in occupancies with hazardous materials as required in the following sections:

1. Sections 5004.7 and 5005.1.5 for hazardous materials.

2. Sections 6004.2.2.8 and 6004.3.4.2 for highly toxic and toxic gases.

3. Section 6204.1.11 for organic peroxides.

1203.2.11 High-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access . Standby power and emergency power shall be provided for high-rise buildings and Group I-2 occupancies having occupied floors located more than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access as required in Section 403 of the California Building Code, and shall be in accordance with Section 1203.

1203.2.12 Special purpose horizontal sliding doors. Standby power shall be provided for horizontal sliding doors as required in Section 1010.3.3. The standby power supply shall have a capacity to operate not fewer than 50 closing cycles of the door.

1203.2.13 Hydrogen fuel gas rooms. Standby power shall be provided for hydrogen fuel gas rooms as required by Section 5808.7.

1203.2.14 Laboratory suites. Standby or emergency power shall be provided in accordance with Section 5004.7 where laboratory suites are located above the sixth story above grade plane or located in a story below grade plane.

1203.2.15 Means of egress illumination. Emergency power shall be provided for means of egress illumination in accordance with Sections 1008.2.4 and 1104.5.1.

1203.2.16 Membrane structures. Standby power shall be provided for auxiliary inflation systems in permanent membrane structures in accordance with Section 2702 of the California Building Code . Auxiliary inflation systems shall be provided in temporary air-supported and air-inflated membrane structures in accordance with Section 3103.9.4.

1203.2.17 Semiconductor fabrication facilities. Emergency power shall be provided for semiconductor fabrication facilities as required in Section 2703.15.

1203.2.18 Smoke control systems. Standby power shall be provided for smoke control systems as required in Section 909.11.

1203.2.19 Underground buildings. Emergency and standby power shall be provided in underground buildings as required in Section 405 of the California Building Code and shall be in accordance with Section 1203.

Required critical circuits shall be protected using one of the following methods:

1. Cables used for survivability of required critical circuits shall be listed in accordance with UL 2196 and shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.
2. Electrical circuit protective systems shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Electrical circuit protective systems shall be installed in accordance with their listing requirements.
3. Construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.

Emergency and standby power systems shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 110 and NFPA 111 such that the system is capable of supplying service within the time specified for the type and duration required.

1203.4.1 Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities. In Group I-2 occupancies and ambulatory care facilities, emergency and standby power systems shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 99.

1203.4.2 Schedule. Inspection, testing and maintenance of emergency and standby power systems shall be in accordance with an approved schedule established upon completion and approval of the system installation.

1203.4.3 Records. Records of the inspection, testing and maintenance of emergency and standby power systems shall include the date of service, name of the servicing technician, a summary of conditions noted and a detailed description of any conditions requiring correction and what corrective action was taken. Such records shall be maintained.

1203.4.4 Switch maintenance. Emergency and standby power system transfer switches shall be included in the inspection, testing and maintenance schedule required by Section 1203.4.2. Transfer switches shall be maintained free from accumulated dust and dirt. Inspection shall include examination of the transfer switch contacts for evidence of deterioration. When evidence of contact deterioration is detected, the contacts shall be replaced in accordance with the transfer switch manufacturer’s instructions.

Emergency power systems, including all appurtenant components, shall be inspected and tested under load in accordance with NFPA 110 and NFPA 111.

Exception: Where the emergency power system is used for standby power or peak load shaving, such use shall be recorded and shall be allowed to be substituted for scheduled testing of the generator set, provided that appropriate records are maintained.

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ENERGY SYSTEMS

1203.5.1 Group I-2 and ambulatory care facilities. In Group I-2 occupancies and ambulatory care facilities, emergency and standby power systems shall be inspected and tested under load in accordance with NFPA 99.

1203.5.2 Transfer switch test. The test of the transfer switch shall consist of electrically operating the transfer switch from the normal position to the alternate position and then return to the normal position.

Routine maintenance, inspection and operational testing shall be overseen by a properly instructed individual.