If primary power is lost on an EVAC system and a FACP is activated by an alarm condition, how long must secondary power be capable of operating the voice evacuation system?

If primary power is lost on an EVAC system and a FACP is activated by an alarm condition, how long must secondary power be capable of operating the voice evacuation system?

• A. 5 minutes
• B. 15 minutes
• C. 10 minutes
• D. 30 minutes

Answer: (B)

When primary power fails and the fire alarm control panel is activated by an alarm condition, the system must keep the voice evacuation equipment running on secondary power long enough to guide occupants to safety. The standard requires a minimum of 15 minutes of operation for the voice evacuation system under alarm conditions. This duration ensures that even during a power outage, audible instructions and alerts remain available until the situation is resolved or power is restored. Shorter durations like 5 or 10 minutes would not reliably cover a full evacuation window, while longer durations such as 30 minutes exceed the minimum requirement.

When primary power fails and the fire alarm control panel is activated by an alarm condition, the system must keep the voice evacuation equipment running on secondary power long enough to guide occupants to safety. The standard requires a minimum of 15 minutes of operation for the voice evacuation system under alarm conditions. This duration ensures that even during a power outage, audible instructions and alerts remain available until the situation is resolved or power is restored. Shorter durations like 5 or 10 minutes would not reliably cover a full evacuation window, while longer durations such as 30 minutes exceed the minimum requirement.