Environment of Care (EC) (Ambulatory Health Care / Ambulatory Health Care)
Emergency Power Systems - Testing and Inspecting
Publish | January 01, 0001
What is the requirement for testing the battery feature of egress lights?
Per NFPA 101 (2000 edition) 7.9, if there is an emergency power source installed that can illuminate egress lights in less than 10-seconds, then the battery feature of the egress lights are not required. Since no bridging power source (batteries) are required, then that feature does not require testing as long as the generator and associated automatic transfer switches are tested in accordance with EC.02.05.07. There is no requirement to remove batteries or to keep them installed, although they do offer an enhanced level of egress illumination reliability. Like any maintainable building system, the organization should assess the need for a maintenance strategy for the battery feature, and assign activities and frequencies of maintenance to the asset based upon their particular circumstances in accordance with EC.02.05.01. But the 30-second test every month, and the annual 90-minute test or battery replacement option are not required when the egress lighting is connected to the life safety branch of a Type I emergency generator system. [EC.02.05.07]
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