This is the first edition of CSA Standard C282, Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings. In 1975 the CSA Standards Policy Board approved the formation of a Committee to prepare a standard for emergency electrical power supply for buildings, excluding hospitals. The intent of the project was to develop a Standard covering the quality of the unit, installation, operational requirements, periodic testing and maintenance.

In the preparation of this Standard, the committee made use of several requirements already prepared by the Subcommittee on Essential Electrical Systems in Health Care Facilities in the draft CSA Standard Z32.4, Essential Electrical Systems for Hospitals, which is expected to be published later in 1977.

This Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Emergency Electrical Power Supply for Buildings under the jurisdiction of the Standards Steering Committee on Fire Prevention and Protection, and was formally approved by these committees.