BUILDING MATERIALS EVALUATION COMMISSION (BMEC)
AUTHORIZATION REPORT
DATE OF AUTHORIZATION
BMEC REFERENCE
DATE OF REVISION
JULY 31, 1997
BMEC 97-08-217
JANUARY 26, 2012
January 26, 2012: update of sections 1 and 2 contact information
BATTERY - CENTRAL EMERGENCY POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS FOR BUILDINGS
+ 1.
Applicant
Thomas and Betts Canada
700 ave Thomas
St-Jean sur Richelieu
Quebec, Canada, J2X2M9
+ 2.
Manufacturing Facilities
Thomas and Betts manufacturing inc
division Lumacell
1811 Hymus, Dorval
Quebec, Canada, H9P1J5
Tel: 514 685-2277
Fax: 514 685-7389
3.
Description
The central emergency power supply systems consist of a charger and storage battery in a
cabinet providing D.C. output or when an integral inverter is included, A.C. output. A
storage battery may be a group of individual batteries or cells operating as a unit.
4.
Authorization Requested
The applicant sought authorization for the use of D.C. and A.C. output central emergency
power supply systems to provide continuous and emergency power supply, separate from
the electrical supply for the building, for emergency lighting systems not regulated by CSA
Standard C22.2 No. 141-M1985, " Unit Equipment for Emergency Lighting", exit signs, fire
alarm and detection systems and ancillary devices such as ventilation and pressure
modification devices, voice communication systems and other Ontario Building Code
regulated devices such as electromagnetic locking devices, all of which are not required by
Article 3.2.7.9. of the Ontario Building Code, to be powered in emergency situations, by a
generator set driven by an engine.
5.
Assessment
Reports and assessments provided by the applicant show that if the central emergency
power supply systems are designed, performance tested and maintained in accordance with
the manufacturer's instructions, the limitations and conditions stated in this authorization,
the level of performance required by the Ontario Building Code for a battery power source
will be provided.
2/...
-26.
Authorization
The use of Emergi-Lite=s 24, 32, 36, 48 and 120 volts CH Series D.C. output systems
and CHIN Series A.C. (IPS or HID) Single Phase Inverter Systems are authorized for
use within a building as a battery source central emergency power supply system,
subject to the following terms and conditions:
A.
SPECIFIC TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
1.
The use of central emergency power supply systems must comply with the Building
Code Act, 1992, as amended or re-enacted from time to time and, except as specifically
authorized herein, with the Ontario Building Code as amended or remade from time to
time.
2.
When a central emergency power supply system is proposed, a copy of this
Authorization shall be included with the application for a building permit and shall be
posted and maintained on the site of the construction, together with the building permit.
3.
This Authorization is valid only for Emergi-Lite Limited a division of Kaufel Group Limited
and only applies to central emergency power supply systems in which the rated output
current exceeds 30 amperes or the nominal voltage at the output exceeds 30 volts; and,
used for supplying emergency electrical power to emergency lighting systems not
regulated by CSA Standard C22.2 No. 141-M1985, AUnit Equipment for Emergency
Lighting@, exit signs, fire alarm and detection systems and ancillary devices such as
ventilation and pressure modification devices, voice communication systems and other
Ontario Building Code regulated devices such as electromagnetic locking devices, all of
which are not required by Article 3.2.7.9. of the Ontario Building Code, to be powered in
emergency situations, by a generator set driven by an engine.
4.
The cabinet for the central emergency power supply system shall:
a)
when a service room is required by the Ontario Building Code; be located in a
service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation
having a fire-resistance rating conforming to the Ontario Building Code,
b)
be constructed so that it can be secured and installed without field fabrication;
c)
be located to provide adequate working space and access for maintaining and
repairing the central emergency power system without encumbering other
equipment in the service room or interference from other equipment in the
service room; and,
d)
not contain automotive batteries.
5.
The service room containing the cabinet shall be equipped with unit equipment for
emergency lighting conforming CSA Standard C22.2 No. 141-M85.
3/...
-36.
The normal electrical supply for the central emergency power supply system shall be
controlled by automatic transfer equipment which energize the emergency power supply
upon failure of the normal current supply. The automatic transfer equipment shall only
be accessible to authorized persons.
7.
The design and review of each installation by Emergi-Lite Limited, for a central
emergency power supply system identified in Section 6 of this Authorization, shall be
carried out by a Professional Engineer as defined in the Professional Engineers Act of
Ontario. The Professional Engineer shall provide the Chief Building Official with a
document certifying that the central emergency power supply system:
a)
Complies with The Canadian Electrical Code, current at the time of building
permit issuance; and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing shall include
specific reference to Section 26, Lightning Protection, Rules 26-540 to 26-554,
Storage Batteries 46-202, Battery Capacity, 46-204, Automatic Transfer
Equipment; and, 46-210, Voltage Drop of Remote Lamps, of Part I.
b)
Is listed to CSA C22.2-No.107.1-M91, "Standard for Commercial and Industrial
Power Supplies"
c)
Has been tested at the factory and demonstrated the capacity to supply and
maintain, the emergency power supply required by the Ontario Building Code to
an output voltage which will not be less than 91% of nominal for the time period
of 30, 60 or 120 minutes.
d)
Has a charging means to maintain the battery in a charged condition
automatically.
e)
Is located in a ventilated room where the ambient temperature will not exceed the
system=s design temperatures for reliable operation.
f)
Was performance tested after installation and found to be capable of operating at
100% of its stated kilowatt rating for 30, 60 or 120 minutes as required by the
Ontario Building Code.
g
Will not be adversely affected by the operation of a suppression system.
h)
Is electrically supervised to indicate an audible and visible trouble signal at the
fire alarm annunciator panel or where the building does not have one, at the
device referenced at Sentence 3.2.4.8.(3) of the Ontario Building Code, for each
of the following:
i)
ii)
movement of the output disconnect switch internal to the cabinet,
a temperature greater than 10E C above or below the safe operating
temperature of the system has been reached,
iii)
iv)
a battery supply less than 91% of nominal,
a charger failure,
4/...
-4v)
vi)
vii)
a low electrolyte level alarm for wet batteries,
a problem identified by the supervisory system of the central emergency
power supply; and,
a ground leakage problem in the case of D.C. systems.
B.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1.
The BMEC may amend or revoke this Authorization where it determines that:
a)
b)
c)
any change has been made to:
i)
the material, system or building design that is the subject matter of this
Authorization;
ii)
the address of the applicant specified in Section 1 of this Authorization;
or,
iii)
the ownership of the applicant specified in Section 1 of this Authorization.
the use of the material, system or building design authorized herein;
i)
does not comply with the Building Code Act, 1992 or any relevant
legislation as they may be amended or re-enacted from time to time; or
ii)
provides an unsatisfactory level of performance, in situ; or
any Ontario Building Code provision relevant to this Authorization has been
amended or remade.
Dated at Toronto this 31st day of July, 1997.
BUILDING MATERIALS EVALUATION COMMISSION
_______________________________
per: Scott Richardson, Chairman