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700.3(A), 706.7(A) Commissioning of Emergency Systems

Revision

Change Summary

  • Previously in the Code the installer had to test Emergency Systems as witnessed by an inspector.

    Now the NEC has taken it a step further by having the system commissioned. This can be more involved and time consuming for the installer.

NEC®Text

Article 700 – Emergency Systems
700.3 Tests and Maintenance
(A) Commissioning Witness Test. The authority having Jurisdiction shall conduct or witness the commissioning of the complete system upon installation and periodically afterward.
Informational Note: See NECA 90, Standard for Commissioning Building Electrical Systems.
Article 706 Energy Storage Systems
706.7 Commissioning and Maintenance
(A) Commissioning. ESSs shall be commissioned upon installation. This shall not apply in one-and-two family dwellings
Informational Note: See NFPA 855-2020, Standard for the installation of secondary energy storage systems, for information related to the commissioning of ESSs.

Material taken from the National Electric Code. is reprinted with permission from NFPA 70., 2023 edition. National Electrical Code®, Copyright 2022, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA. All rights reserved.

Expert Analysis

In Article 100, commissioning is defined as: “The process, procedures and testing used to set-up and verify the initial performance, operational controls, safety systems and sequence of operation of electrical devices and equipment, prior to it being placed into active service (CMP-13)”. This seems to go beyond installing and testing to ensure the system works. On more complex systems commissioning is often done with a manufacturers rep, the installer and the facility manager. The facility manager typically learns proper use of the system. All this is good practice, but all this hand-holding takes time, and time is money. Installers will need to take this into consideration when bidding these jobs. Lastly, I can see this requirement expanding into different electrical systems as the electrical industry gets increasingly more technical and complex.

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