Service Rooms- Canada

[Plumb-bob]

3.6.2.1 requires a 1hr separation for a service room that contains electrical equipment that is required by the Electrical Safety Regulation to be located in a service room.

Can anybody provide insight as to when an electrical room will, or will not, require a fire separation? For either Part 3 or Part 9?

Thanks

 

[Inspector Gadget]

3.6.2.1 requires a 1hr separation for a service room that contains electrical equipment that is required by the Electrical Safety Regulation to be located in a service room.

Can anybody provide insight as to when an electrical room will, or will not, require a fire separation? For either Part 3 or Part 9?

Thanks

Summary: the requirement only arises when dealing with liquid-filled electrical equipment (usually transformers.)

As you've noted, 3.6.2.1 says "Electrical equipment that is required to be located in a service room according
to CSA C22.1, “Canadian Electrical Code, Part I,” shall be installed in a service room separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a fire-resistance rating not less than 1 h."

The main requirement in CSA C22.1 is for electrical equipment that contains "dialectric liquids." Here's the code snippets:

26-012 Dielectric liquid-filled equipment — Indoors (see Appendices B and G)
(1) Dielectric liquid-filled electrical equipment containing more than 23 L of liquid in one tank, or more than 69 L in a group of tanks, shall be located in an electrical equipment vault.
(2) Except as permitted in Subrule (4), dielectric liquid-filled electrical equipment containing 23 L of liquid or less in one tank, or 69 L or less in a group of tanks, shall be
(a) installed in a service room conforming to the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada;
[....]
(3) Notwithstanding Subrules (1) and (2), motor starters shall be permitted to have these quantities of liquids doubled.
(4) Notwithstanding Subrule (2), capacitors filled with flammable liquids of 14 L or less in each tank shall not
be required to be installed in an electrical equipment vault nor in a service room, provided that
(a) a metal pan or concrete curbing that is capable of collecting and retaining all the liquid of the tank or tanks is installed;
(b) no other dielectric liquid-filled electrical equipment nor any combustible surface or material is within 4.5 m unless segregated by fire-resisting barriers, with metal-enclosed equipment considered as providing segregation; and
(c) each capacitor tank is provided with overcurrent protection to minimize rupture of the case.

also

26-246 Dielectric liquid-filled transformers indoors (see Appendix B)
[...]
(2) Transformers containing a non-propagating liquid, suitable for the purpose and having a flash point not less than 275 °C, that are located indoors shall be installed in an electrical equipment vault, unless the following conditions are met:
[...]
(d) where the voltage rating exceeds 15 000 V, the transformer is installed in a service room accessible only to authorized persons

From what I recall when I did a deep dive on this a couple years ago, the only equipment that ordinarily/commonly has dielectric liquids are transformers - big transformers. What I did (and now do) is simply ask the electrical contractor to state whether there were transformers with dielectric liquids, or any other gear with dielectric liquids, and if so, what volumes. Haven't hit that trigger yet.

(22.1 also allows cables with flame-spread ratings that don't meet code to be used in a service room with a 1-hour separation. Likely not to apply.)

But here's a bit of confusion for you: CSA 22.1 Rule 26-12 states, " Construction criteria for service rooms are provided in Articles 3.6.2.1 and 9.10.10.3 of the National Building Code of Canada. Where a service room is required by this Code, it must be separated from the remainder of the building by a fire separation having a 1 h fire-resistance rating, unless the service room is sprinklered." Note that NBC does not make exceptions in 3.6.2.1 or 9.10.10.3 for waiving the fire separation if the room is sprinklered.

So here's my question - the way I read it, the *electrical code* says that if a service room is sprinklered, the *electrical code* does not require a service room to have a one-hour rating, therefore it doesn't need to by *building code* since the NBC essentially lets the Electrical Code dictate if a fire separation is required. Do I have that right?

 

[tmurray]

You are correct, it is just transformers that would meet this criteria.

Keep in mind that conflicts are resolved in accordance with Div. A, 1.5.1.2. In this case, where there is a conflict between the code and a reference document, the code shall govern.

The electrical code tried this another time establishing a minimum threshold between a garage and an attached building. The justification was that if the fuel tank of a vehicle were to drain in the garage, it may make its way into the building enclosure, encounter some open wiring and start a fire. This was then removed from the electrical code as it exceed its scope. The section you are referencing also exceeds its scope. The electrical code deals with fire safety of the electrical equipment itself. Not how it must exist in the building, as that is the role of the building code.

Electrical code scope:

This Code covers all electrical work and electrical equipment operating or intended to operate at all voltages in electrical installations for buildings, structures, and premises, including factory-built relocatable and non-relocatable structures, and self-propelled marine vessels stationary for periods exceeding five months and connected to a shore supply of electricity continuously or from time to time, with the following exceptions:
(a)installations or equipment employed by an electric, communication, or community antenna distribution system utility in the exercise of its function as a utility, as recognized by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction, and located outdoors or in buildings or sections of buildings used for that purpose;
(b)equipment and facilities that are used in the operation of an electric railway and are supplied exclusively from circuits that supply the motive power; (c)installations or equipment used for railway signalling and railway communication purposes, and located outdoors or in buildings or sections of buildings used exclusively for such installations;
(d)aircraft; and
(e)electrical systems in ships that are regulated under Transport Canada.
For mines and quarry applications, see also CSA M421.
This Code and any standards referenced in it do not make or imply any assurance or guarantee by the authority adopting this Code with respect to life expectancy, durability, or operating performance of equipment and materials so referenced.