When using an SEPSS within a fire alarm system, the UPS must be in compliance with which standard?

When using an SEPSS within a fire alarm system, the UPS must be in compliance with which standard?

• A. NFPA 111
• B. NFPA 70
• C. NFPA 72
• D. NFPA 13

Answer: (A)

When a SEPSS inside a fire alarm system uses stored electrical energy to keep life-safety equipment powered during an outage, the applicable standard is NFPA 111. This standard covers stored energy emergency and standby power systems, including UPS units and battery banks, and sets requirements for their design, installation, testing, maintenance, and safety so they will deliver the necessary power reliably when needed. It addresses battery room safety, ventilation, temperature control, charging, monitoring, and routine discharge testing to verify readiness. Other standards cover different topics—NFPA 70 deals with electrical wiring and equipment, NFPA 72 with fire alarm signaling, and NFPA 13 with sprinklers—so they don’t specifically govern the energy storage and backup power aspects of a SEPSS.

When a SEPSS inside a fire alarm system uses stored electrical energy to keep life-safety equipment powered during an outage, the applicable standard is NFPA 111. This standard covers stored energy emergency and standby power systems, including UPS units and battery banks, and sets requirements for their design, installation, testing, maintenance, and safety so they will deliver the necessary power reliably when needed. It addresses battery room safety, ventilation, temperature control, charging, monitoring, and routine discharge testing to verify readiness. Other standards cover different topics—NFPA 70 deals with electrical wiring and equipment, NFPA 72 with fire alarm signaling, and NFPA 13 with sprinklers—so they don’t specifically govern the energy storage and backup power aspects of a SEPSS.