7 Key Requirements of NFPA 110 for Emergency Power Systems

In facilities where power loss is not just inconvenient but potentially life-threatening, emergency power systems must operate without fail. Ensuring these power systems comply with NFPA 110 is another essential whether you are overseeing a hospital, a critical data facility, or a mission-critical industrial site.

Through this blog, we will cover the basics of NFPA 110 and the seven key requirements for emergency power supply systems (EPSS). These requirements are integral to keeping these systems audit-ready and operational when it matters the most.

What is NFPA 110?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has laid out a standard, NFPA 110 for emergency power systems. It covers the requirements of how an emergency and standby power system should perform to ensure a constant power supply.

The standard consists of eight chapters, with the first three being introductory. Chapters four to eight classify these emergency systems, outline their installation, maintenance, environmental considerations, and operational testing.

What NFPA 110 Compliance Matters ?

Getting a consistent power supply is integral to the operations of any business and is especially crucial for sectors where it could save somebody’s life or critically important data.

The NFPA 110 compliance is thus necessary for facilities like hospitals, data centers, and emergency services. Apart from ensuring your institution or organisation complies with NFPA 110, you can also seek help for the same from your generator operator or salesperson.

At Curtis Power Solutions, we offer our expertise in ensuring your EPSS is NFPA 110 compliant and is ready to power when needed.

Let’s take a look at why this compliance matters so much:

To protect lives by ensuring the medical devices run at all times.
To maintain the continuity of business operations.
To prevent financial losses.
To ensure safe storage and handling of fuel.
To meet the legal and insurance requirements.
To extend the life of emergency generators.

The 7 Key Requirements of NFPA 110

The NFPA 110 has outlined all the essentials pertaining to an emergency power supply system. These serve as the basic and necessary guidelines to ensuring that these emergency systems work efficiently when needed, and lead to no loss of life or important data.

NFPA 110 Emergency Power System

Let’s take a look at the seven key NPFA 110 generator requirements:

1. Assigning each EPSS its own class, type, and level

Each emergency power supply system should be classified to describe how critical they are to life safety (level), how quickly it must provide power (type), and its minimum running time without refueling (class).

2. Initial acceptance testing of EPSS

After the generator is installed or after the addition of any new component, it should be tested in the presence of the AHJ for NFPA 110 compliance. This on-site test includes full load testing, cycle crank test, safety induction and shutdown task, and factory acceptance testing.

3. Routine maintenance and operational testing of the EPSS

Routinely maintaining and testing the operations of the EPSS is integral to NFPA 110 compliance. Make sure these are consistent with the generator manufacturer’s recommendations, the instruction manuals for each system component, minimum requirements defined by the NFPA standard, and any other special directions from the authority having jurisdiction (i.e., the AHJ).

4. Quality management of the fuel

Effective fuel management is another key requirement of the NFPA 110. The NFPA has given guidelines for storing fuel, the size and location of the fuel tank, and the quantity of fuel to be stored. Annual fuel quality tests should be performed to ensure the fuel is microbe-free for effective generator functioning.

5. Regular battery maintenance

Maintaining the storage batteries and ensuring their effective functioning in case of emergency is crucial for NFPA 110 compliance. It includes performing weekly inspections, monthly tests which include conductance test or the electrolyte’s specific gravity test (whichever is applicable).

6. Load bank testing and generator exercising

As per the NFPA 110 guidelines, the emergency power supply system needs to be inspected weekly, exercised each month, and load bank testing should be performed once in 3 years for level 1 generators.

7. Documents and recordkeeping

A complete recordkeeping of all the documents for the EPSS installation, inspection, testing, or any recommended repairs, is necessary as per NFPA 110. These records can be standardized and digitized to be readily available to the AHJ.

These requirements of the emergency power supply systems are essential for NFPA 110 compliance and avoiding any life-threatening or legal issues.

NFPA 110 Adherence Issues

Although the necessary requirements for generator performance outlined in NFPA 110 are not unattainable, many hospitals and businesses alike struggle with their adherence. This necessitates tying up with an expert. At Curtis Power Solutions, we have qualified and experienced engineers who will simplify this process and ensure that you have the NFPA 110 compliance for your EPSS.

Let’s take a look at the common adherence issues that arise in NFPA 110 compliance:

Lack of expert knowledge and personnel to ensure NFPA 110 standard requirements are met.
Failure to maintain the fuel system appropriately. The fuel often faces degradation issues or is not stored at a safe, 2-hour fire-rated location.
Missing or incomplete logs due to the lack of record update or failure to perform monthly load tests.
Incorrect installation of the generator and its other system components.
Inability to meet the specific requirements for cabling, connectors, and mounting like the improper wiring between the generator and the transfer switch.

Best Practices for Meeting NFPA 110 Standards

From the previous section, it is quite clear that it is easy to mess up the NFPA 110 standard’s requirements. However, with a proper schedule and guidance of an expert by your side, you will be able to meet them.

Here’s a quick list of the best practices for NFPA 110 standards compliance:

Avoid misclassification by mapping out every load that your generator supports and assigning it the correct Level, Class, and Type.
Document a comprehensive written EPSS plan that covers all procedures, personnel, spare parts, and safety precautions. Make this document accessible to all stakeholders.
Make sure you invite the AHJ while performing the acceptance testing and get his approval.
Set up weekly, monthly, and annual maintenance regimes to ensure all components of the EPSS work efficiently when needed.
Maintain logbooks, document all training data, and test records in paper and preferably in digital format too for safe recordkeeping.
Schedule a triennial third-party audit or have an external specialist evaluate the testing, fueling infrastructure, and documentation of EPSS.

Takeaway

NFPA 110 standard compliance is not just a legal formality but a necessary requirement to ensure there are no losses, be it of any important data, business revenue, or something much worse (the loss of a life).

Getting the experts at Curtis Power Solutions on board can be the difference between seamless compliance and recurring adherence issues. Contact us for NFPA 110 compliance.

frequently asked questions

1. What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 NFPA 110?

The difference between Level 1 and Level 2 in NFPA 110 lies in how critically important the emergency power system is to ensure there is no loss of life or any serious issues.
The level 1 status is given to systems that directly risk human life (like hospitals, fire alarms, etc.) while the level 2 system is for those that do not risk human life (like any industrial equipment).

2. What is the NFPA 110-10-second rule?

The NFPA 110-10-second rule refers to a particular EPSS type, the Type 10 in the NFPA 110 standard. It requires that the EPSS deliver acceptable power to life safety loads within 10 seconds of the normal power supply failing. This time is crucial for facilities where a power outage has a direct risk to human life, such as hospitals and Level 1 loads.

3. What are the key elements of an NFPA 110 emergency plan?

The key elements of an NFPA 110 emergency plan cover the essentials for having an uninterruptible power backup in case of power failure. These include the classification, operation, testing, and maintenance of the emergency power supply systems.

4. Does NFPA 110 require that essential electrical systems be tested?

Yes, the NFPA 110 requires that the essential electrical systems be tested to ensure seamless transfer of load to the emergency system in case of power loss. This testing regime includes weekly, monthly, annual, and triennial tests to ascertain the status of maintenance, operation, and repairs of these emergency systems.