Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
(OP)
I'm working on a 5 story hotel project which will use battery packs for egress lighting. The city reviewer has come back and said that we need to add a generator to supply the elevators so they can be used as an "accessable means of egress". They are citing IBC (International Building Code) section 1007.2.1 and 1007.4. No other electrical engineers I know have ever heard of this being a requirement for a low rise-building (less than 75 feet to the highest occupied floor). Anyone run into this lately?






RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
For a low-rise building such as the one you describe, the only loads that have ever been required to be served by the generator are: emergency egress lighting (If not using battery packs), fire alarm control panels, telecommunications systems, fire pumps, etc. Never an elevator, though.
RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
A hotel which might have a first floor of perhaps as much as 18' floor-to-floor height for the lobby floor and 13' to 14' floor-to-floor heights for the remainder, may still not be a high rise by Building Code definitions. However, we have a local municipality near here in Riverside, Ca. which has a local ordinance deeming any structure more than TWO stories high as being a high rise structure. So as with all things code, check with the local AHJ before proceeding with the design.
The only copy I have here of the IBC is an old 2000 version, but it states:
SECTION 403 HIGH RISE BUILDINGS
Section 403.1 "Applicability-The provisions of this section shall apply to buildings having occupied floors located more than 75 feet, (22 860 mm), above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access."
Again there are several exceptions listed for airports, parking garages, hazardous occupancies, etc....
Best of luck,
EEJaime
RE: Generator Req'd for Low-Rise Bldg?
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com