Battery back up outside light required ?

[Stevenfyeager]

Blueprint shows outside light by service doors to be battery back up. Jurisdiction inspector think its required NEC for commercial office building. NEC section ?

 

[raberding]

.yep.
NFPA 101 - Exit Discharge Lighting

 

[Ragin Cajun]

Actually TWO heads are required.
Also, a "normal" powered light is required at each exit. Unless other lights provide the function.
As you are in Indiana, you need to keep the battery inside. Use a remote double head from the exit sign/emergency light inside at the door.

 

[roger]

Blueprint shows outside light by service doors to be battery back up. Jurisdiction inspector think its required NEC for commercial office building. NEC section ?

It wouldn't really matter if it's a code requirement or not, the designers of record has shown it and should enforce it being supplied. The Contract documents (specs and drawings) are what the customer is paying the A&E for and it would be their responsibility to the customer to see they got what they bought. Was this a bid project or negotiated? In either case there can be value engineering if the owner and designers are open to suggestions after the contract has been awarded but they will be asking for credits.

 

[mopowr steve]

When and why did they go from a single light to a double?
I’ve noticed this lately and thought to myself- - - is it because of a possible blown bulb? But why enact it now when the heads have gone to LED- - -seems less likely.

 

[roger]

When and why did they go from a single light to a double?

I know it was required at least 10 years ago. The reason is, for egress if one failed you would have a back up.

 

[mopowr steve]

I know it was required at least 10 years ago. The reason is, for egress if one failed you would have a back up.

So a backup of a backup, when will it end

 

[roger]

So a backup of a backup, when will it end

Actually it's not a new concept. In commercial buildings it has been a requirement for years that lighting in egress corridors have multiple circuits and or lamps so if a circuit or lamp fails it is still illuminated.

 

[dkidd]

Blueprint shows outside light by service doors to be battery back up. Jurisdiction inspector think its required NEC for commercial office building. NEC section ?

IBC

1008.3 Emergency Power for Illumination

The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises' electrical supply.

1008.3.1 General

In the event of power supply failure in rooms and spaces that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:

1. Aisles.
2. Corridors.
3. Exit access stairways and ramps.

And following paragraphs.

 

[steve66]

Actually TWO heads are required.

I think that depends on where you live, and what the local AHJ's interpretation is.

I don't think the IBC says anything about having 2 heads, but the IBC references the NEC, and article 700. That in turn says no space shall be left in "total darkness" by the failure of one element (like a lamp).

IMO, it's never totally dark outside. And how do we count a LED "head" when it has more than one LED? Failure of a single LED doesn't leave it totally dark, so one head with multiple LED's should be OK.

Anyhow, the manufacturers make both - single head and dual head remotes. So again, I think it just depends on the local AHJ for what is needed.