Emergency Control Station ECS

Deflnition. Emergency Control Station (ECS) is an approved location on the premises of Group H, Division 6 occupancies where signals from emergency equipment are received (UBC 206-E). 

When emergency alarm, detection or automatic fire-extinguishing systems are required in Section 8003, such systems shall be supervised by an approved central, proprietary or remote station service or shall initiate an audible and visual signal at a constantly attended on-site location. (UFC 8003.1.16). 

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A continuous gas detection system must be provided to detect the presence of hazardous (toxic or highly toxic) gases at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) orthe ceiling limit (see UFC 8003.3.1.6). The detection system must initiate a local audible and visual alarm as well as transmit a signal to a constantly attended plant Emergency Control Station (ECS). Activation of the alarm/monitoring system must automatically close the shutoff valve on highly toxic or toxic gas supply lines. 

The recirculating air stream is considered an integral portion of the life safety system therefore, in a hazardous occupancy cleanroom (such as a semiconductor wafer fab), the system should not be automatically shut down by the smoke detection system. In lieu of automatic shutdown, a manually operated remote switch is to be provided at an approved location outside the fabrication area (UBC 1202.2.5). Since such a detection could happen at any time, our recommendation for the location of the switch is in a continually occupied but relatively secure spot, such as the nearest Emergency Control Station (ECS). UBC 1202.2.5 also dictates that the return air system of one hazardous cleanroom area shall not be connected to another eleamoom oeeupancy. 

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