CHAPTER 27

ELECTRICAL

SECTION BC 2701
GENERAL
2701.1 Scope. This chapter governs the electrical components, equipment and systems used in buildings and structures covered by
this code. Electrical components, equipment and systems shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of
the New York City Electrical Code.
SECTION BC 2702
EMERGENCY AND STANDBY POWER SYSTEMS
2702.1 Installation. Emergency and standby power systems shall be installed in accordance with the New York City Electrical
Code, NFPA 110 and NFPA 111.
2702.1.1 Fuel supply. Systems relying on fuel supplies shall have an on-premises fuel supply sufficient for not less than 6-hour
full-demand operation of the system. However, natural gas from the public utility street main shall be permitted as the sole fuel
supply for (i) emergency power systems serving R-2 occupancies and (ii) standby power systems, provided that an outside gas
cut-off valve separate from other gas services is installed in accordance with Section E.6 of Appendix E of the New York City
Fuel Gas Code.
2702.1.2 Stationary generators. Stationary emergency and standby power generators shall be listed in accordance with UL
2200 and shall comply with Sections 2702.1.2.1 through 2702.1.2.3.
2702.1.2.1 Prohibited location. Emergency and standby power generators shall not be located in the same room as the main
or primary electrical service equipment. Distribution associated with emergency and standby power systems shall not pass
through the room containing the main or primary electrical service equipment.
2702.1.2.2 Enclosure. Emergency and standby generators within a building shall be located within a dedicated room
separated by not less than 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed
in accordance with Section 712, or both.
2702.1.2.2.1 Generator room contents. Equipment and fuel tanks located within the emergency generator room shall be
limited to equipment and fuel tanks associated with the emergency and standby power systems. Piping within the room
shall be limited to sprinkler piping.
Exceptions:
1. Uninterrupted conduits not associated with the emergency and standby power system may pass
through the emergency generator room.
2. Piping associated with generator cooling systems may be located within the emergency generator room.
2702.1.2.3 Multiple generators. Multiple generators supplying emergency power system loads only, or supplying emergency
power system equipment in combination with optional standby loads as a common system, may share common fuel supplies
and other common equipment and systems.
2702.1.3 Capacity. The emergency and standby power systems shall have capacity and ratings that supply all equipment
required to be operational at the same time.
2702.1.4 Protection of fire pumps. Where electrically powered fire pumps are connected to the emergency power system,
overcurrent protection and feeder conductors shall be provided in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.
Automatic transfer switches shall be located in the same room as the fire pump as an integral part of the pump controller.
2702.1.5 Special inspection. The installation of a required emergency or standby power system shall be subject to special
inspection in accordance with Section 1704.
2702.1.6 Registration. Fuel-burning equipment for an emergency or standby power system shall be registered with the
Department of Environmental Protection in accordance with the requirements of Section 24-109 of the Administrative Code.
 2702.1.7 Automatic transfer devices and power system feeders. Automatic transfer devices, emergency generators and
emergency or standby power system feeders shall comply with Sections 2702.1.7.1 through 2707.1.7.2.1.
2702.1.7.1 Prohibited location. All automatic transfer devices and emergency power system feeders that serve required
emergency power system equipment shall not be located in the same room as the emergency power system equipment or the
main or primary electrical service equipment.
2702.1.7.2 Enclosure. Any automatic transfer device that is not located at the load shall be located within a dedicated room
separated by not less than 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed
in accordance with Section 712, or both.
2702.1.7.2.1 Automatic transfer device room. Equipment located within the automatic transfer device room shall be
limited to equipment associated with the emergency or standby power systems. Piping within the room shall be limited to
sprinkler piping.
2702.2 Where required. Emergency and standby power systems shall be provided where required by this section.
2702.2.1 Group A occupancies. Emergency power shall be provided for voice/alarm communication systems in Group A
occupancies in accordance with Section 907.5.2.2.4.
2702.2.2 Smoke control systems. Standby power shall be provided for smoke control systems in accordance with Section
909.11.
2702.2.3 Exit signs. Emergency power shall be provided for exit signs in accordance with Section 1011.5.3.
2702.2.4 Means of egress illumination. Emergency power shall be provided for means of egress illumination in accordance
with Section 1006.3.
2702.2.5 Accessible means of egress elevators. Standby power shall be provided for elevators that are part of an accessible
means of egress in accordance with Section 1007.4.
2702.2.6 Horizontal sliding doors. Standby power shall be provided for horizontal sliding doors in accordance with Section
1008.1.4.3.
2702.2.7 Semiconductor fabrication facilities. Emergency power shall be provided for semiconductor fabrication facilities in
accordance with Section 415.8.10.
2702.2.8 Membrane structures. Standby power shall be provided for auxiliary inflation systems in accordance with Section
3102.8.2. Emergency power shall be provided for exit signs in tents and membrane structures.
2702.2.9 Hazardous materials. Emergency or standby power shall be provided in occupancies with hazardous materials in
accordance with Section 414.5.4 and the New York City Fire Code.
2702.2.10 Highly toxic and toxic materials. Emergency power shall be provided for occupancies with highly toxic or toxic
materials in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.
2702.2.11 Organic peroxides. Standby power shall be provided for occupancies with organic peroxides in accordance with the
New York City Fire Code.
2702.2.12 Pyrophoric materials. Emergency power shall be provided for occupancies with silane gas in accordance with the
New York City Fire Code.
2702.2.13 Covered mall buildings. Standby power shall be provided for voice/alarm communication systems in covered mall
buildings in accordance with Section 402.14.
2702.2.14 High-rise buildings. Emergency and standby power shall be provided in high-rise buildings in accordance with
Sections 403.4.7 and 403.4.8.
2702.2.15 Underground buildings. Emergency and standby power shall be provided in underground buildings in accordance
with Sections 405.8 and 405.9.
2702.2.16 Group I-3 occupancies. Emergency power shall be provided for doors in Group I-3 occupancies in accordance with
Section 408.4.2.
2702.2.17 Elevators. Standby power for elevators, including elevators provided to accommodate ambulance stretchers pursuant
to Section 3002.4, shall be provided as set forth in Section 3003.1. Controls, elevator cab light, ventilation and associated
equipment required for elevator operation shall be connected to emergency power.
 2702.2.18 Airport traffic control towers. Standby power shall be provided in airport traffic control towers in accordance
with Section 412.3.5.
2702.2.19 Smokeproof enclosures and pressurized elevator shafts. Standby power shall be provided for smokeproof
enclosures as required by Section 909.20.6.2 and for pressurized elevator shafts provided in accordance with Section
708.14.2.5.
2702.2.20 Occupancy Groups B, E and R-1. Emergency and standby power shall be required in those Group B, E and R- 1
occupancies specified in this section:
1. Group B occupancies with occupied floor less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest fire department
vehicle access having a gross floor area over 15,000 square feet (1393.6 m 2) per floor or a total gross floor area of
100,000 square feet (9290.3 m2) or more.
2. Group E occupancies with occupied floor less than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of Fire
Department vehicle access having a gross floor area over 15,000 square feet (1393.6 m 2) per floor or a total gross floor
area of 100,000 square feet (9290.3 m 2) or more.
3. All Group R-1 occupancies.
2702.2.20.1 Equipment requiring emergency power system. With respect to such Occupancy Groups B, E and R- 1, the
following equipment, where such equipment is required by this code, shall be provided with an emergency power system:
1. Exit signs and means of egress illumination required by Chapter 10;
2. Elevator car lighting;
3. Emergency voice/alarm communications systems, including Fire Department in-building Auxiliary Radio
Communication systems (ARCs) provided where required or installed voluntarily in accordance with Section 917;
4. Automatic fire detection systems;
5. Fire alarm systems; and
6. Electrically powered fire pumps, including manual fire pumps, automatic fire pumps and sprinkler booster pumps.
2702.2.20.2 Equipment requiring standby power system. With respect to such Occupancy Groups B, E and R-1, the
following equipment, where such equipment is required by this code, shall be provided with a standby power system:
1. Ventilating systems used for smoke venting or control;
2. Stair pressurization; and
3. At least three elevators in a building at one time with manual transfer to other elevators as required by Section 3003.
4. Power and lighting for the fire command center required by Section 403.4.5.
2702.3 Maintenance. Emergency and standby power systems shall be maintained and tested in accordance with the New York
City Fire Code and New York City Electrical Code.
2702.4 Required loads for optional standby power systems. In addition to any other loads, optional standby power systems shall
be capable of providing power to the following systems upon failure of the normal power supply or the emergency or standby
power system:
1. Emergency lighting;
2. Fire alarm systems; and
3. Elevators as follows:
3.1 For Group R-2 occupancies in buildings greater than 125 feet (38 100 mm) in height, at least one elevator serving all
floors, or one elevator per bank where different banks serve different portions of the building; or
3.2 For all other buildings having occupied floors located more than 75 feet (22 860 mm) above the lowest level of fire
department vehicle access, at least one elevator that serves all floors.