When must the secondary power supply provide power to the supervising station?

The requirement for the secondary power supply to provide power to the supervising station for a minimum duration of 60 seconds is grounded in the standards for fire alarm systems. This duration ensures that the fire alarm system has enough time to manage any unexpected interruptions and maintain its operational integrity during a power outage.

The 60-second requirement is critical because it allows the supervising station to remain functional during this period, which can be essential for accessing and processing alarms, ensuring effective communication, and maintaining overall system reliability. This time frame also accommodates situations where a brief loss of primary power does not immediately lead to the complete failure of the fire alarm system's monitoring capabilities, thus providing a buffer for recovery or automatic transition to backup power.

By contrast, shorter timeframes such as 10, 30, or even 90 seconds might not adequately meet the operational needs of the supervising station during critical moments, potentially leading to miscommunications or failure to respond effectively to alarms. Therefore, establishing a solid 60-second duration for secondary power supply support is a recognized standard that aligns with the operational resilience expected in fire alarm systems.