State Regulations require emergency generators to be tested at a minimum of every 14 days under full load condition for a minimum of 30 minutes. Emergency Lighting and Power System is addressed in Section 72641 (e) and (f) of Title 22 Code of Regulations.

There are special requirements for skilled nursing facilities for distribution of emergency power. These requirements divide distribution into two branches: the Life Safety Branch and Critical Branch. The focus of this article is on the Life Safety Branch because it must be kept separate from all other wiring and equipment and only the following items can be connected:

• Egress lighting
• Exit lighting
• Fire alarm systems
• Medical gas alarms
• Nurses call system
• Communications system used for issuing instructions during evacuation
• Task Lighting and a receptacle at the generator set location
• Elevator cab lighting, control, signal and communication system

The Life Safety Branch should connect automatically to the generator within 10 seconds following the loss of power.

NOTE: If during a power outage any of the equipment listed above is not working within 10 seconds following the loss of power, it may not be properly connected to the Life Safety Branch of the Emergency Lighting and Power System. Bring this to the attention of the facility administrator immediately!