From my experience shunt trip breakers(or similar device) is required for commercial kitchens and boiler rooms. The shunt trip breakers are operated manually by personel.
My question is, what code book or books require shunt tripping breakers? Also what conditions warrant them?
Couldn't quote code source at this point, but one of the relevant codes requires shut down of all sources of heat and ignition under a hood with a fire suppression system in a commercial kitchen on activation of the fire suppression system. That requirement can be met with shunt trip breakers and electric shut off valves on the gas lines. In doing medium to large kitchens I would put in shunt and non-shunt panels and then just shunt trip the main of the shunt panels rather than having a bunch of branch breakers with shunts.
ASME A17.1 (Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators) requires their use for the shutdown of the elevator motor(s) in elevator machine rooms protected by an automatic fire sprinkler system. These spaces are normally protected by a heat detector, and the idea is that the heat detector will cause the elevator control panel to actuate the shunt-trip breaker before the sprinkler head discharges.
ASME CSD code for boilers (over a certain size) requires an additional emergency shut off switch (usally a big red button with a clear plastic cover) locate near the path of eqgress from the boiler room. This could operate a shunt trip breaker to disable power and shut off fuel supply. This requirement has recently been enforced more rigorously than in the past.
Thanks to everyone for their input. I recently started a new job as an electrical inspector. It is good to be aware of other trade's codes.
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