EPO SYSTEM

A. An EPO system for a data center is a requirement of Article 645 “Information Technology
Equipment” of the National Electrical Code. Article 645 is an optional section of the code that
permits the relaxation of certain code requirements in a room housing information technology
equipment if certain conditions are met.
B. Among the conditions that need to be met in order to be covered under this article are rating
of the walls, floor and ceiling of the room, providing an air conditioning system that is
dedicated to the room and, as described in Paragraph 645.10, a means to disconnect power
to all electronic equipment in the information technology equipment room. There shall also be
a similar means to disconnect the power to all dedicated HVAC systems serving the room
and cause all required fire/smoke dampers to close. The control for these disconnecting
means shall be ... readily accessible at the principal exit doors."
C. If a data center meets the conditions of Article 645 then the following relaxation of the
requirements of other sections of the code are permitted. These relaxations include
1. Non-plenum-rated cables are permitted below a raised floor.
2. Listed IT equipment cables, boxes and the like are not required to be secured in
place.
D. Should the Owner client determine that the above relaxations are not required for the Data
Center project, a requirement of the project is that all cables will be plenum rated and that all
cables, conduits boxes and anything else run under the raised floor will be secured according
to the appropriate article of the NEC.
E. Because Owner client is willing to forgo the relaxations of the Code permitted by complying
with Article 645, the Data Center should not be required to meet the requirements of Article
645. In particular, an EPO system will not be provided for the Data Center. Both Engineer
and Owner client agree that the installation of an EPO system will introduce a potential single
point of failure into the Data Center which should be avoided if possible.
F. While there are articles published regarding this issue and precedents in place where data
centers have been installed without EPO systems, often the Authorities Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ) such as local building inspectors, fire marshals, and electrical inspectors, feel strongly
about the need to have EPO systems in place in order to protect the public safety. In cases
like this the AHJ may have the authority to over rule the code requirements.
G. Engineer will meet with the local township AHJ to discuss this issue in detail and to obtain
their consensus in the design approach.
H. Should local township officials reject the above described justification for eliminating the EPO
system from the Data Center design, Engineer will attempt to gain their approval of
alternative EPO design solutions that will allow separate EPO systems aligned with the “A”
and “B” dual power paths provided in each component of the UPS and the Utiltiy/Emergency
power distribution systems.

NOTE:
• Emergency Power Off (EPO) circuitry should be provided as required by the National Electric
Code and local jurisdictions to shut off power to all electrically driven equipment in the
equipment rooms. A second EPO circuit shall be provided to shut down mechanical equipment
without shutting off all power.
• The system should be strictly manual operation. A protected, keyed Arm/Test/Disarm switch
will be provided.
• Use of this system should stop all forced air movement in the room and shut down all HVAC
and rack equipment including the closure of all smoke/fire dampers.
• IF PERMITTED BY THE AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJ) THE DATA CENTER
WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THREE (3) EPO BUTTONS. ONE FOR THE DATA CENTER
AIR-CONDITIONING, ONE FOR THE IT POWER “A” SYSTEM AND ONE FOR THE IT
POWER “B” SYSTEM.
• THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE ADDRESSABLE SMOKE DETECTORS
ZONED TO PROVIDE DETECTION AND RELEASE FOR PRE-ACTION SPRINKLER AND
GASEOUS SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS.
• SMOKE DETECTORS SHOULD BE SPACED TO PROVIDE 400 SQUARE FOOT
COVERAGE PER ONE DETECTOR, BUT NOT EXCEEDING THE RATED COVERAGE FOR
THE ROOM AIR FLOW.