37.417

37.417 is a unified standard that defines the minimum requirements for commercial and residential garages and their electrical systems. The standard was developed through the collaboration of stakeholders, including fire experts, Electrical Safety Systems Professionals (ESSPs) and garage industry experts.

Its primary purpose is to ensure that all commercial and residential garage systems are designed, installed, maintained and operated safely. The standard also provides guidance to clarify existing laws and to protect property and life.

37.417 covers a wide range of electrical systems, including electric and circuit breaker systems, lighting systems, and other related components and accessories. It also covers instruments and devices for protection and control of electric energy.

The standard applies to electric installations in garages and other applicable areas of a building such as carports, parking structures, garages, stables, warehouses, storage buildings and self-service storage facilities. The standard also applies to detached garages such as those associated with private residences and other dwellings. It does not cover electrical installations in attached or semi-attached garages.

The standard specifies how a garage system should be constructed to achieve the requirements of the standard. It includes design, installation, maintenance and operation requirements for safety, including requirements for wiring methods, circuit protection, conduit systems, junction boxes, switches, outlets, high voltage distribution equipment, and other related components and accessories.

It also provides guidance for safe dismantling and disposal of electrical components. This includes requirements for disconnecting and disconnecting of conductors, and safe placement of equipment and components.

The standard also contains requirements for labelling and marking of electrical fixtures and equipment. This includes labels for determining safe and approved operation of the system, as well as labels for indicating maintenance and instruction signs.

The standard also addresses additional safety measures, such as arc-fault protection, which detects and interrupts small electrical arcs or faults that can lead to a fire. Arc-fault protection can be achieved by either an individual device or by integral systems which are automatically activated when the circuit is energized.

The 37.417 standard also covers system testing and inspections, as well as emergency and service shut-off switches. These switches are designed to be capable of quickly de-energizing the entire system in the event of an emergency, such as a fire.

Finally, the standard provides guidance on how to properly document the installation and maintain the proper records for the overall safety of the system. These records must include installation drawings and instructions, list of components, and periodic maintenance plans and inspection logs.

In summary, 37.417 is a comprehensive standard that covers all aspects of the design, installation, maintenance, and operation of commercial and residential garage systems. By following this standard, garages can ensure that their systems are installed and operated safely, and that they can comply with applicable fire safety codes and requirements.