The Kansas State Fire Marsal has asked that we share the following message:
There have been a few questions lately surrounding the K918 Main and Feeder Circuit Breaker requirement. Please read the following email in hopes to clear up some confusion.
Under K918, there is a requirement surrounding main and feeder circuit breakers.
NFPA 99 2012 Edition has the following:
- 6.4.4.1.2 Maintenance and Testing of Circuitry.
- 6.4.4.1.2.1* Circuit Breakers. Main and feeder circuit breakers shall be inspected annually, and a program for periodically exercising the components shall be established according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
- A.6.4.4.1.2.1 Main and feeder circuit breakers should be periodically tested under simulated overload trip conditions to ensure reliability.
We are going to look at the “manufacturer’s recommendations” part of the code requirement.
The manufacturer’s instructions on how to perform the ITM should be included in your facilities fire book for each panel. Some companies will use the attached NEMA document. To get ITM documentation, facilities should reach out to their testing companies to see if they can provide the required documentation. If so, please make sure it is placed in the facility fire book. If not, please put a copy of the correspondence from your company saying they do not provide any and the attached document in the facility fire book so it is ready for inspections. I hope this is able to shed some light on the K918 requirement.
View the referenced NEMA document here.
Joel Beckner
Fire Prevention Public Education
Office of the State Fire Marshal
800 SW Jackson, Suite 104
Topeka, KS 66612-1216
(785) 296-0659 – phone
(785) 296-0151 – fax
joel.c.beckner@ks.gov
