Emergency/Egress Illumination Levels

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Misha322

Member
I am having a hard time understanding to what lighting level should path of egress (corridors, parking garage isles, etc.) need to be lit to. In IBC section 1006.2 it states "not less than 1 footcandle) and in section 1006.4 "at least an average of 1 footcandle". NFPA 101, Life Safety Code has the same verbiage, 7.8.1.3 "at least 1 ft-candle" and 7.9.2.1 "an average of 1 ft-candle".

Which is it, a minimum or an average of 1 footcandle?
 

G._S._Ohm

Senior Member
Location
DC area
IBC section 1006.2 it states "not less than 1 footcandle) [1]
in section 1006.4 "at least an average of 1 footcandle". [2]
NFPA 101, Life Safety Code has the same verbiage, 7.8.1.3 "at least 1 ft-candle" [3]
7.9.2.1 "an average of 1 ft-candle". [4]

Which is it, a minimum or an average of 1 footcandle?

1 and 3 are equivalent and they mean at least 1 fc.
4 contradicts 1 half the time, by the definition of average.
2 contradicts 1 less than or equal to half the time, by the definition of average.

You're not forbidden to go over 1 fc all the time so that's what I'd do. Try 2 or 3 fc.
It's easier than getting someone to clarify this issue. The thing decision makers do not want to do is make a decision. In fact a Dilbert cartoon said you shouldn't even be in the same room where and when a decision is made.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
1 and 3 are equivalent and they mean at least 1 fc.
4 contradicts 1 half the time, by the definition of average.
2 contradicts 1 less than or equal to half the time, by the definition of average.

You're not forbidden to go over 1 fc all the time so that's what I'd do. Try 2 or 3 fc.
It's easier than getting someone to clarify this issue. The thing decision makers do not want to do is make a decision. In fact a Dilbert cartoon said you shouldn't even be in the same room where and when a decision is made.

GS .......... if you have no clue at all why even answer?
 

steve66

Senior Member
Location
Illinois
Occupation
Engineer
Looking at 101, the way I read it, 7.8 is "Illumination for Means of Egress". So that would cover the normal lighting.

7.9 is for emergency illumination. So that would apply to unit equipment, or the lighting levels that are required when the power goes out.

But there is a good chance I'm in the same boat as G.S., and I don't have a clue:)
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
I am having a hard time understanding to what lighting level should path of egress (corridors, parking garage isles, etc.) need to be lit to. In IBC section 1006.2 it states "not less than 1 footcandle) and in section 1006.4 "at least an average of 1 footcandle". NFPA 101, Life Safety Code has the same verbiage, 7.8.1.3 "at least 1 ft-candle" and 7.9.2.1 "an average of 1 ft-candle".

Which is it, a minimum or an average of 1 footcandle?

IBC section 1006.2 is for general illumination for the means of egress. So during normal operation the means of egress illumination needs to illuminate the walking surface at not less than 1 foot candle.

IBC section 1006.4 is dealing with the performance of the emergency lighting system. This section requires that during emergency lighting the initial lighting level shall be at least an average of 1 foot candle and a minimum of .1 foot candle measure along the path of egress at floor level.

What that means is that for emergency lighting the entire floor level does not need to be illuminated to 1 foot candle only the average needs to be at that level. This permits a farther distance between emergency lighting units then the normal lighting units for the path of egress.

Chris
 

birtclp

Member
Location
SC
IBC section 1006.2 is for general illumination for the means of egress. So during normal operation the means of egress illumination needs to illuminate the walking surface at not less than 1 foot candle.

IBC section 1006.4 is dealing with the performance of the emergency lighting system. This section requires that during emergency lighting the initial lighting level shall be at least an average of 1 foot candle and a minimum of .1 foot candle measure along the path of egress at floor level.

What that means is that for emergency lighting the entire floor level does not need to be illuminated to 1 foot candle only the average needs to be at that level. This permits a farther distance between emergency lighting units then the normal lighting units for the path of egress.

Chris

This is the way I've always understood it and the way it is typically enforced here in SC.
 
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