North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

What type of power system must a church with an occupant load greater than 300 have?

1. A backup gasoline generator

2. An emergency power system

3. A manual power source

4. A renewable energy system

The correct answer is: An emergency power system

A church with an occupant load greater than 300 must have an emergency power system to ensure the safety and well-being of its occupants during emergencies. An emergency power system is designed to provide reliable electricity to essential systems, such as lighting, exit signs, fire alarm systems, and other critical functions that help facilitate a safe evacuation. This requirement stems from building codes and safety regulations, which recognize that spaces accommodating large numbers of people need robust emergency preparedness measures. In the event of a power failure, the emergency power system can operate automatically, allowing safe egress and maintaining vital operations until the normal power supply is restored. While backup gasoline generators, manual power sources, and renewable energy systems can contribute to a facility's overall energy strategy, they do not specifically address the immediate safety needs of a facility with a high occupancy load in the same reliable way that an automated emergency power system does. Hence, establishing an emergency power system is a crucial safety measure for accommodating large groups of people.