IEC 60364-7-718:2011

Overview

IEC 60364-7-718:2011 is an international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) that specifies additional requirements for low-voltage electrical installations in communal facilities and workplaces. It supplements and modifies general electrical safety provisions outlined in IEC 60364 Parts 1 to 6, addressing specific challenges and safety needs in diverse public and work environments.

The standard covers typical locations such as:

• Assembly halls and rooms
• Theatres, cinemas, exhibition and sports halls
• Restaurants, hotels, care homes, and schools
• Enclosed car parks, airports, railway stations
• High-rise buildings, factories, workshops, and industrial plants

Special attention is given to access and escape routes, recognizing the critical role of safe evacuation during emergencies. While IEC 60364-7-718 sets a baseline for safety, national regulations might impose more stringent requirements to address specific local risks.

Key Topics

Additional Safety Protections

• Thermal Protection: Special provisions are mandated for thermal effects including fire risks and motor protection. Motors not under continuous supervision must have thermal protective devices or be impedance protected, except for small motors below 500 W or those that cannot overheat if stalled.
• Emergency Evacuation Conditions: The standard ensures that electrical installations in communal and workplace settings meet evacuation safety conditions (codes BD2, BD3, BD4) and references Part 42 for emergency scenarios.

Equipment Selection and Erection

• Switching and Isolation: The location of switches to disconnect electrical supply must minimize distance from cable entry points. Separate circuits should be considered for equipment that must remain energized when the building is unoccupied.
• Control Accessibility: Switching devices, especially in public access areas, may need to be secured or designed to prevent unauthorized use, while still allowing easy evacuation.

Lighting Installations

• Illumination Levels: A risk-based assessment is required to maintain adequate lighting for safety, according to classifications referenced from IEC 60364-5-51.
• Circuit Redundancy: In higher-risk locations, multiple lighting circuits must be used to ensure that failure in one does not compromise overall illumination.
• Dimmable Lighting Controls: Locations open to the public with dimmable lighting must provide switches to restore full illumination, with controls secured against unauthorized activation, particularly in entertainment venues.

Terminology and Scope

• Communal Facility: Any location or part of a building accessible to the public.
• Workplace: Locations where employees perform work-related activities.

Applications

IEC 60364-7-718 is essential for:

• Designing and maintaining safe electrical systems in public gathering places, ensuring both user safety and uninterrupted service.
• Guiding electrical contractors, engineers, and designers on how to handle complex safety issues inherent to communal and workplace environments.
• Assisting facility managers and safety officers in implementing compliant electrical safety measures that meet international standards and anticipate national regulatory demands.
• Enhancing emergency preparedness by integrating dedicated safety services in evacuation paths and access routes, minimizing risks during fire or power failure events.
• Ensuring continuity for critical operations (security, communications, emergency lighting) even during building off-hours by specifying circuits that remain energized.

Related Standards

• IEC 60364 (Parts 1 to 6): Core general requirements for low-voltage electrical installations covering fundamental safety and design principles.
• IEC 60364-5-51: Focuses on the selection and erection of electrical equipment - common rules that IEC 60364-7-718 supplements for special locations.
• IEC 60364-5-56: Addresses safety services which may apply to communal and workplace buildings for emergency and safety functionalities.
• IEC 60695-2 Series: Relates to glow wire tests for insulation materials used in enclosures, relevant for fire safety in electrical installations.
• National and Regional Regulations: Often build upon or extend IEC standards, tailoring specific requirements for local environmental, safety, or legal contexts.

Keywords: IEC 60364-7-718, low-voltage electrical installations, communal facilities, workplaces, electrical safety standards, emergency lighting, thermal protection, electrical equipment selection, switchgear installation, public buildings safety, escape routes, IEC standards low-voltage installations.