Has anyone ever run into this issue?

[garnerm]

I just design a school in Alabama compling with the IECC (2006). It was a approved by the building commission but one elec comment has me confused. It states that I must provide an override switch in the bathrooms where I only show a ceiling mount occupancy sensor. I did this so that no one (kids) could turn off the lights to mess (bully) another student in the bathroom. My questions is, how can I provide an override switch without a key? I guess I could put an override switch in another location with a pilot light, like a mechanical room. Just wanted to hear some other opinions.
Thanks for your help.

 

[LarryFine]

I believe they want an override for on, not for off, to keep the lights on when not detecting motion.

 

[dicklaxt]

I agree ,need to overide ton posotion,,,,,,,,the Sensor would activate on and off both features could have an instantaneous close ,time open/off delay when timer when sensor does not sense movement for a predetermined time frame but to work that out one would need the complete deascription of the functionality of the sensor,if its strickly open/close with motion then you would need to add aux relay as required.

There are to many possibilities available in electronic's,if you have the green light then gets whats needed if not then you need the sensor spec to see what you have to do above and beyond the sensor capabilities.

dick

I don't think a manual remote bypass would be the answer they are looking for.

 

[glene77is]

garnerm,
Could you install a keyed single-pole switch, remotely in a machanical room, with a switch loop run from the line-side of the sensor-controlled-switch to the keyed single-pole switch, having the switched-leg attaching to the load side of the sensor-controlled-switch ?

Well, there must be a better way of writing that.
(1) Tap a hot from the line side of the sensor-switch,
(2) run it to a remote keyed-switch,
(3) then run the switched-leg back to the load side of the sensor-switch.

HTH

 

[LarryFine]

A basic "or" gate, which is what you need to override 'on', is made of two switches in parallel.

An "and" gate, which is two switches in series, allows either one to override the other to 'off'.

 

[steve66]

I think a manual on override without a time limit violates the energy codes. I'm not so sure they aren't asking for a manual off button.

The energy codes don't seem to take any realistic situations into account.

Steve

 

[iwire]

I think a manual on override without a time limit violates the energy codes.

Makes sense, the lighting override switches I see are momentary buttons that start a timer.

 

[Bigrig]

I must have been involved with at least twelve school designs in Ohio and the OSFC has never asked for anything like that. 90.1 energy code will limit the amount of time you can keep the lights on. I would just wire a pushbutton time switch in parallel with the occupancy sensor relay. That way either one will turn the lights on.