700.16 Emergency Lighting

[VinceM4]

Hi, My question is in regards to the second paragraph of 700.16 which states:



"Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and installed so that the failure of any individual lighting element, such as the burning out of a lamp, cannot leave in total darkness any space that requires emergency illumination."



My company builds a large number of warehouses and we prefer to illuminate the exterior mandoor landings with an multi diode LED fixture. This fixture is either backed up by an internal battery or an inverter. Quite often during a villages review they will cite this code and require us to add an additional means of egress lighting. We usually take care of this by adding a remote head off of the interior exit sign.



They are interpreting 700.16 use of the word "element" to apply to the driver of the LED fixture. I do not agree with this interpretation but have trouble fighting this. Maybe with a single diode LED fixture I'd lean towards the multi fixture installation.



Am I interpreting this wrong?



If you agree any recommendations on something to cite in order to not have to double up emergency fixtures? This has been a long ongoing issue. IBC 2018 1008.3.5 has a similar reference to specifically not relying on a "single lamp in a luminaire." This wording gives me a better argument but this code applies to group I-2 occupancies.



Thank you for your help!

 

[don_resqcapt19]

The substantiations for the language change made in this section for the 2020 code makes it clear that the failure of a driver is not permitted to leave the area in total darkness. The term "total darkness" is somewhat subjective, but it appears the intent is to require multiple emergency fixtures.

700.16(B) System Reliability. Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and installed so that the failure of any illumination
source cannot leave in total darkness any space that requires emergency illumination. Control devices in the emergency lighting system shall be listed for use in emergency systems. Listed unit equipment in accordance with 700.12(F) shall be considered as meeting the provisions of this section.

 

[VinceM4]

The substantiations for the language change made in this section for the 2020 code makes it clear that the failure of a driver is not permitted to leave the area in total darkness. The term "total darkness" is somewhat subjective, but it appears the intent is to require multiple emergency fixtures.

Excellent Point. I'm hoping this clarification results in manufactures building a fairly priced fixture with multiple drivers that can take care of this requirement.

Thanks

 

[RetroFitRush2112]

Question: Why not use a stationary power inverter backup system at the panel or LCP instead of individual Battery Back Up units in all of your path of egress fixtures (interior or exterior)?

Benefits: One point of maintenance, easy system testing, and annual re-certifications, plus lowers initial fixture costs, reduces maintenance costs...
Cost for these units is driven by total connected load! In a LED fixture, two drivers also equates to a split array (meaning two separate systems) extremely costly to buy, and then replace upon failure!

Pre-engineered simplicity equals efficiency, and long reliability. Thanks & Good Luck!