2 pole light switch for normal and emergency

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Sparky5150

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I'm doing a renovation where there are 2 pole switches in restrooms. 1 pole connected to the normal circuit, and 1 to the emergency. This way if you enter the room both circuits are energized and if the power goes out the emergency switch is sure to be on. This is instead of 2 seperate switches.

Does anyone see a code violation having the normal and emergency circuits connected to the same switch in the same box?

Thanks!!!
 
Sparky5150 said:
Does anyone see a code violation having the normal and emergency circuits connected to the same switch in the same box?

Thanks!!!
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700.17 and 700.20 could be issues.
 
Sparky, are you talking about a flouresant with both normal power ballasts and battery back up ballasts?
 
This is a room with 2 normal light fixtures and 2 connected to the generator circuit. There are no emergency battery ballasts.

I can put in 2 switches, but if someone goes in and turns on only the 1st switch they will be in the dark if the normal power fails.

Emergency lighting is not required in the room per code. This 2 pole switch just seemed like a good idea, I will check the 700 codes listed above.

It may be a maintenace safety issue....
 
Sparky5150 said:
I'm doing a renovation where there are 2 pole switches in restrooms. 1 pole connected to the normal circuit, and 1 to the emergency. This way if you enter the room both circuits are energized and if the power goes out the emergency switch is sure to be on. This is instead of 2 seperate switches.

Does anyone see a code violation having the normal and emergency circuits connected to the same switch in the same box?

Thanks!!!
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Three code violations.

1) The emergency light must come on during a power failure with the room occupied or not.

You can switch an emergency light off but it must be arraigned with automatic controls to come on during a power failure.

2) You can not have the emergency circuit and the normal circuit in the same single gang switch box.

3) Two pole switches are not listed for use on two independent circuits.
 
Sparky5150 said:
I can put in 2 switches, but if someone goes in and turns on only the 1st switch they will be in the dark if the normal power fails.
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If you switch the emergency light off, you will need to include a normally closed relay that is powered from the normal circuit so that the regardless of the wall switch the emergency light comes on during utility failure.

Emergency lighting is not required in the room per code.
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If the fixture is not legally required you CAN NOT power it from an emergency system.
 
Like Iwire and Marc said, the way I have typically done this is by using a bypass relay that overrides the normal power switch position.

As you mention, this is not your emergency egress lighting but rather optional stand-by. Even if it was emergency egress then the only code issue I see is that the branch would be considered life safety and would have to be fire rated.
 
Designer69 said:
the branch would be considered life safety and would have to be fire rated.
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Are you thinking hospitals?

In a typical office building emergency lighting branch circuits do not have to be fire rated. (At least in MA and RI)
 
Designer69 said:
how much you wanna bet?

Look at 527 CMR 12
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How much you got?

I wire emergency circuits in new office buildings all time and all that is required is that the feeders and distribution equipment be fire rated, not the branch circuits.
 
Designer69 said:
Agreed, I thought you were saying the system itself does not need to be fire rated.
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Cool, you had me a bit worried, I was trying to figure out how to run MI cable into switch boxes. :smile:


FWIW I have good laugh when large pre-made electrical rooms are made in another state show up in MA for installation.

Often the generator and it's distribution equipment is in the same space as the normal equipment. Then the manufacturer has to jump threw hoops to fire separate it.
 
iwire said:
How much you got?

I wire emergency circuits in new office buildings all time and all that is required is that the feeders and distribution equipment be fire rated, not the branch circuits.
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fire rated? what is a fire rated panel? :confused:
 
steveng said:
fire rated? what is a fire rated panel? :confused:
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Those are very expensive and rare. :grin:

Sorry, the MA requirement is that the emergency distribution equipment and feeders be 'enclosed in a 2 hr fire rated enclosure or be part of a 2 hr rated assembly.

In practice this puts the E-panels inside a dedicated 2 hour rated closet and the feeders in the past have been MI but now there is a new and less expensive wiring method that is being used. I just can not remember the name of it.
 
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