ROH §16-14.7
Standby power and generator safety rules
Read the official text at honolulu.gov ↗This section requires certain buildings to have a standby electrical system that can connect to a generator or other temporary power. The system must cover emergency lighting, exit signs, fire systems, and basic ventilation. If a generator is already installed, it must be in a protected enclosure unless the generator is built to withstand wind and debris.
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The ordinance, as written (Honolulu County) — Standby electrical system capability
A copy, taken August 22, 2026. The version published by Honolulu is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) Provide a standby emergency electrical power system per International Building Code Chapter 27 and NFPA 70 Article 700 Emergency Systems and Article 701 Legally Required Standby Systems that has the capability of being connected to an emergency generator or other temporary power source. The emergency system capabilities must include:
(1) An emergency lighting system;
(2) Illuminated exit signs;
(3) Fire protection systems, fire alarm systems, and fire sprinkler systems; and
(4) Minimum mechanical ventilation for health/safety purposes.
(b) Emergency generator. When emergency generators are pre-installed, the facility housing the generator, permanent or portable, must be an enclosed area designed to protect the generators from wind and missile impact.
Generators hardened by the manufacturer to withstand the area’s design wind and missile impact criteria must be exempt from the enclosed area criteria requirement.
Published by the City and County of Honolulu through American Legal Publishing.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.