Code for commercial outdoor lights

[Stevenfyeager]

My contractor asked me if there is a code requirement for commercial outdoor lights. It’s a State Farm office building with two exterior back doors. I think the owner wants two motion lights. He thinks a Home Depot motion light may be substandard. I don’t do a lot of commercial work and don’t know what to tell him. Thank you.

 

[augie47]

Unless something was added in 2020 I don't think the NEC has a requirement.
However,you may find your Building Code has a minimum outside illumination level

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

If it’s a legally required egress, emergency egress, or accessible entrance, there will be some requirements.

Too much to go into here, but the ADA standards are large and complex.

As far as quality, time was that HD lighting as pretty much garbage. After one disastrous job where I installed customer supplied HD lighting and none of it worked, and then he wanted me to warranty it, I swore off HD lighting.

Now, I still don’t think it’s great, but it’s not wildly worse than most other stuff.

 

[jaylectricity]

The code doesn't require using quality manufacturing. As mentioned, egress needs to be lit up a certain amount. But that wouldn't apply to motion sensor lights. Egress would require lights that were on all the time during times of business.

 

[Little Bill]

I won't install motion lights from Big Orange or Big Blue unless the customer buys them. I have been using RAB Stealth motion lights. They are heavier built and have a 5 year warranty. Of course they are higher but you get what you pay for.

 

[tom baker]

RAB is a great source and for tech support, call, explain what you are lighting. You want size of exterior wall HxL. You will end up with some LED wall packs. I would suggest about 3000 K for color temp.
The IESNA has recommended standards for lighting, in footcandles, and uniformity, perhaps RAB can help with suggested lighting levels.

 

[jaylectricity]

I won't install motion lights from Big Orange or Big Blue unless the customer buys them. I have been using RAB Stealth motion lights. They are heavier built and have a 5 year warranty. Of course they are higher but you get what you pay for.

That was always the standard even 20 years ago as far as my recollection goes. But people see the price of the all-in-one built unit and they go with that. They're not all bad. My main issue is usually how it mounts. I hate the single screw in the middle that allows the fixture to spin.