Balcony lights

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I would venture to say YES.
The balcony could be deemed a "means of egress" and a light would be required....although I cannot provide a concrete reference to support my opinion ~ 210.70(A)(2)(b) may apply.
I would check with the AHJ.
 
Sparky5150 said:
The balcony is above grade and not considered egress.
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Are you sure?

In a hi-rise apartment building, one means of egress from the unit is obviously the front door to the unit...what is the second?


I would check with AHJ ....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
 
celtic said:
Are you sure?

In a hi-rise apartment building, one means of egress from the unit is obviously the front door to the unit...what is the second?


I would check with AHJ ....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
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Thanks Celtic for helping me think outside the box!
 
celtic said:
Are you sure?

In a hi-rise apartment building, one means of egress from the unit is obviously the front door to the unit...what is the second?


I would check with AHJ ....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
Click to expand...


A window is an allowable fire escape as long it is of the minimun size, do I need a light there?LOL

Tom
 
Davis9 said:
A window is an allowable fire escape as long it is of the minimun size, do I need a light there?LOL

Tom
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Measure the window...I'll venture to say it doesn't meet the egress requirement ;)
You'll probably find this holds true for most older installations.

The proper terminology may not be "egress"(only 12 hits in the NEC), but rather "exit"(23 hits)...to be honest I don't know....but I know who does ;)
 
I can see it now:

"Sorry, lady, I can't save you from that fire; this window is not the required size, and there's no light fixture, so I can't take you off of the balcony!"
 
I like Celtic and he is helpful but I have to disagree that a balcony without stairs to grade is an 'egress'.:cool:

The window comment was IMO right on target.

Any basement bedroom (at least in my area) must have a certain size window as a means of emergency egress but that does not mean it requires a light outside it.
 
All I'm saying is:

#3
celtic said:
I would check with the AHJ.
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#5
celtic said:
I would check with AHJ ....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
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I think I've been pretty consistant.

EDIT:
A "window" may not be "normal exit", but an "emergency egress"....whereas a door - any door - may be deemed a "normal exit" AND an "emergency egress".
Having someone with authority make the call would simplify matters, no?

#9
celtic said:
The proper terminology may not be "egress"(only 12 hits in the NEC), but rather "exit"(23 hits)...to be honest I don't know....but I know who does ;)
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The AHJ again.
 
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celtic said:
All I'm saying is:

The AHJ again.
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Well I disagree. :smile:

Unless you make a habit of asking the AHJ about every move you make I see no reason to ask the AHJ about this.:smile:

210.70(A)(2)(b) specifically calls for a light at at exterior doors with grade level access.

If the balcony does not have grade level access then the AHJ can not under the NEC require a light there.

Perhaps a building code could, or a local amendment but not the NEC.

Grade level access does not mean 'access from grade with a ladder you brought along'. :wink:
 
dSilanskas said:
Yes you do need an outdoor fixture. Every door needs an outside light regardless
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I will need a bit more than that before I concede.:smile:

Do you have any code reference for that statement?
 
iwire said:
Well I disagree. :smile:

Unless you make a habit of asking the AHJ about every move you make I see no reason to ask the AHJ about this.:smile:

210.70(A)(2)(b) specifically calls for a light at at exterior doors with grade level access.

If the balcony does not have grade level access then the AHJ can not under the NEC require a light there.

Perhaps a building code could, or a local amendment but not the NEC.

Grade level access does not mean 'access from grade with a ladder you brought along'. :wink:
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Isn't that what I said here:
celtic said:
The balcony could be deemed a "means of egress" and a light would be required....although I cannot provide a concrete reference to support my opinion ~ 210.70(A)(2)(b) may apply.
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Of course it may not, but that is why I italacized my response.

celtic said:
I would check with AHJ ....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
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Looks vary similar to what you're saying...why does the AHJ limit one to strictly electrical?
The AHJ could very well be a building code, local ordinance/amendment, etc .
 
iwire said:
I see no reason in this case to 'ask the AHJ'.
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It's not your money :D, so of course you don't.


The only reason I suggest asking an AHJ is simply:
celtic said:
....failing on something this at final, may be a huge PITA to rectify.
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This could as simple as asking during a rough inspection in the case of a SFH(small money), or asking prior to submitting your bid for a mega-condo(big money).

I am not in "the habit of asking the AHJ about every move you make", but I have yet to see a balcony w/o a light ;)
 
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