Dimming emergency lighting

[Zappow]

One of the buildings I take care of is a Juvenile detention facility. The staff here, wants to either dim, or turn off the two emergency fluorescent light fixtures in a multi purpose room used by the juveniles, in order to show movies. Is there any code against this? If not, what would be the safest, and best solution or method of dimming the two fluorescent emergency light fixtures. These fixtures have emergency light ballasts in them, and are on 24/7.
Thank you.

 

[iwire]

If you want to turn off or dim emergency lighting it must automatically restore during a power failure.

There are relays and dimmers available that are listed for this purpose.

 

[Zappow]

Thanks iwire, that's all I needed to know.

 

[Zappow]

Actually, does anyone know the article for this?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

ARTICLE 700.23???

 

[jcbabb]

You can use a UL924 at each switch to make this work. It's basically an automatic transfer device that controls only the switch leg of the light. Under normal power, the standard switch or dimmer controls the fixture. Upon loss of normal power, the load is switched to emergency power (generator, inverter, etc) and is switched on to full power.

Several companies make these:

http://www.bodine.com/downloads/specs/GTD.spec.(std).L4100004.pdf

 

[DTLight]

Do you know what model ballast is installed in the fixtures? There are some that include an optional input for a wall switch to accomplish what you are trying to do.

 

[mgookin]

One of the buildings I take care of is a Juvenile detention facility. The staff here, wants to either dim, or turn off the two emergency fluorescent light fixtures in a multi purpose room used by the juveniles, in order to show movies. Is there any code against this? If not, what would be the safest, and best solution or method of dimming the two fluorescent emergency light fixtures. These fixtures have emergency light ballasts in them, and are on 24/7.
Thank you.

It may be easiest to just replace those two fixtures with emergency lighting fixtures. They can be on or off like any other lights in the room and will come on in the event of power failure.