Cannot find the answer...

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SinglePhase

Member
Location
North Carolina
We had an inspection today at the movie theater where i am working. The inspector said that the egress lights HAVE to be on when the building is occupied. OK makes sense if it was night time. We have the lights working on a photo cell and we also have emergency back-up ballast as well so if power were to go out there would still be sufficient amount of light to help people see to exit. Its no big deal having them on when the building is open... we will just take the powe from the photo cell and route it through the timer we have for the inside lights. I just want to know if it really states in the code that egress lights have to be on when the building is occupied, even during daylight.
 
It's not in the NEC, but the IBC codes and OSHA both have rules about minimum number of footcandles for egress paths. How you get those footcangles of light, be it day or night, is up to you. Could be natural lighting, could be by the sun, but that minimum lighting level must exist during all occupied times.
 
This requirement can be found in state Building and Life Safety Codes, it is not an NEC requirement.


Roger
 
In fact, there is more to-do about using natural lighting for environmental/energy efficiency reasons as well. Do a google search for LEED and you'll likely turn up a lot of articles about the practice.
 
Its an easy fix I just dont see the point to it when during the day there is Plenty of light for the exits, but we will fix it in the morning. The reason I asked is that the inspector was addiment that it was in the NEC code book and I was sure it wanst. Guess I was right.

Thanks.
 
Your inspector might be suggesting you violate some energy codes if sufficient natural light already exists, yet he still wants electric lighting 'on'. The photocell has got your back if a storm rolls in or an eclipse happens or whatever. I'm not that famaliar with the IECC, but that would be something interesting for you to look into.
 
gndrod said:
Check out Life Safety 101. Exit lighting are on full time.
Click to expand...
Sorta. It must exist full time, but it doesn't necessarily need to be electric lighting full time.

From NFPA 101, 2006:
nfpa101egressillumination.jpg
 
Never built one - but done service calls in a few - but if a Movie Theater is getting natural day-lighting - no matinee? Anyway - can't think of any theater I have ever been to that did not have lights on at the exits and entrance....
 
mdshunk said:
It's not in the NEC, but the IBC codes and OSHA both have rules about minimum number of footcandles for egress paths. How you get those footcangles of light, be it day or night, is up to you. Could be natural lighting, could be by the sun, but that minimum lighting level must exist during all occupied times.
Click to expand...

It's one foot candle at the floor for the entire path of travel and Marc is correct about how you can achieve this.
 
cowboyjwc said:
mdshunk said:
It's not in the NEC, but the IBC codes and OSHA both have rules about minimum number of footcandles for egress paths. How you get those footcangles of light, be it day or night, is up to you. Could be natural lighting, could be by the sun, but that minimum lighting level must exist during all occupied times.
Click to expand...
It's one foot candle at the floor for the entire path of travel and Marc is correct about how you can achieve this.
Click to expand...
This is not always the case, during performances in theaters in NC the illumination can be reduced to 0.2 foot candle at floor level providing it is restored to 1 foot candle upon activation of the fire alarm system. NC Building Code 1003.2.11.1

Movie Theaters are considered Group A-1 occupancies and 1003.2.11 requires that the means of egress including the dischare be illuminated at all times when the building is occupied with EXCEPTIONS, one of which is Aisle accessways of Group A occupancies.

Roger
 
roger said:
This is not always the case, during performances in theaters in NC the illumination can be reduced to 0.2 foot candle at floor level providing it is restored to 1 foot candle upon activation of the fire alarm system. NC Building Code 1003.2.11.1

Movie Theaters are considered Group A-1 occupancies and 1003.2.11 requires that the means of egress including the dischare be illuminated at all times when the building is occupied with EXCEPTIONS, one of which is Aisle accessways of Group A occupancies.

Roger
Click to expand...

I don't disagree with anything. I'm simply saying that the light can come from natural light and that the lights do not have to be on at all times.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top