What is the required fire rating for a room housing service equipment totaling 1000KVA or larger?

A room housing service equipment with a total capacity of 1000 KVA or larger must have a fire rating of two hours. This requirement is driven by the need to ensure safety in commercial and industrial environments where significant amounts of electrical equipment and potential fire hazards are present.

The two-hour fire rating helps to contain potential fires for a longer period, allowing for safe evacuation and giving firefighters more time to respond effectively. This rating is also in line with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines, which emphasize the importance of fire resistance in areas housing large electrical installations.

Structural integrity and fire-resistance are critical factors in places where high capacity electrical gear is situated, as these environments often handle substantial energy that, if mismanaged, could ignite or contribute to a fire. Hence, the two-hour fire rating provides an essential buffer to mitigate these risks.