Bathroom Emergency Lighting

[richanton]

Someone asked me if there are any code requirements specifically for commercial bathrooms. I checked the NEC and don't see anything specific. I also checked New York City and New Jersey Building Codes and don't see anything specific. Does anyone know of any code that would give guidance on this? Personally, I think it is a good idea to include a battery pack, since most bathrooms don't have windows.

P.S. - This came up after last Thursdays backout.

 

[ryan_618]

Re: Bathroom Emergency Lighting

Emergancy lighting is only required when two exits from the space is required. This is determined by occupant load, which would be square footage divided by a variable dependant upon use and occupancy of the building. It would have to be a VERY large bathroom before two exits are required. Hope this helps.

 

[steve66]

Re: Bathroom Emergency Lighting

The town I live in always makes the comment "The City Fire Marshall recommends emergency lighting in public restrooms." The last code review they did, they changed it from "recommends" to "requires". For jobs outside this town, I rarely include emergency lighting unless the toilet room has a vestibule that would require one to walk through another room to get into a corridor with emergency lighting.
I may start adding them to all restrooms just for convience. Its hard to use a restroom in the dark.

Steve

 

[ron]

Re: Bathroom Emergency Lighting

Ryan,
Could you tell me where to find that code reference?
Depending on the jurisdiction, I often use NFPA 101, and I have not found that code requirement worded in that fashion.

 

[eprice]

Re: Bathroom Emergency Lighting

Ron,

The requirement for emergency lighting will be found in the building code enforced in your area. In the 97 UBC it is section 1003.2.9.2. In the 2000 IBC it is 1003.2.11.2. In the 2003 IBC it is 1006.3

Isn't the New York building code based on the 2000 IBC? The requirement as Ryan stated it agrees with the IBC language.

[ August 20, 2003, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: eprice ]

 

[ron]

Re: Bathroom Emergency Lighting

NYS adopted the IBC this year. Many inspectors (and engineers ) are adapting to its requirements.
I have been designing far past building code minimums for such a long time, for the type of clients that I work with, that the actual minimums dictated by code are sometimes a hunt for me to find if I have to.
I have put egress lighting in public bathrooms forever because it was good engineering practice, and have not been chalanged to prove that it is required.
For example, I have never designed a building without total coverage smoke detection as described by the fire alarm code (NFPA 72). If someone asked me to prove that smoke detectors are required in a particular building area, it would take me some research time to find it.
I understand from a collegue that the IBC does not require smoke detection in a business occupancy (except for above the FACP), but I've never done it that way.