Egress Lighting Flaws?

[WA_Sparky]

Looking for clarification on some egress lighting requirements. Correct me if my understanding or assumptions are wrong.

Say you have a 600A distribution panel, and (3) 200A panel boards to place in each scenario below..

1. If you locate the equipment in a space designated as electrical room, per code, you must provide egress lighting.
2. If you locate the equipment in a space designated as storage, per code you do not need to provide egress lighting.
3. If you located the equipment in an extra wide hallway or even at the end of a hallway, where code only requires (1) egress exit (per 101-1006.3) and electrical clearance requirements are met, egress lighting is not required..

If an electrician or maintenance worker is working on the gear, I believe the same risks would be seen in all three scenarios, with the exception of daylight entering the space, and should have egress lighting provided.

Thank you,

 

[d0nut]

Egress lighting and emergency egress lighting are two different things. The IBC requires egress lighting in all occupied spaces. Why would you ever mount equipment in an area with no lights?

 

[WA_Sparky]

Egress lighting and emergency egress lighting are two different things. The IBC requires egress lighting in all occupied spaces. Why would you ever mount equipment in an area with no lights?

Can you provide a code article that mentions this?
Sorry I meant "Emergency Lighting". My specific question is related to spaces that are not required to have emergency backup.

To my understanding emergency lighting is only required in open areas and other spaces with 2 or more means of egress, along the path of egress, exits, stairways, ramps, electrical rooms, and fire pump rooms.

Spaces like storage closets, small offices, bathrooms, closets, IT closet, Mechanical rooms, Janitor closets that all have 1 door exiting the space do not require emergency lighting, correct? Im not saying i wouldn't recommend this but just code specific requirements. Personally i think bathrooms (especially windowless) and mechanical rooms should always have emergency lighting.

 

[d0nut]

The spaces you listed wouldn't require emergency egress lighting unless there was something else that triggered the need for it in that space. I typically include it in any space that I think could be difficult to exit from like a small conference room that could be full of chairs or an IT room, or dangerous if the lights go out like a kitchen, electrical room, etc. I normally don't put emergency egress lighting in a private restroom, but would put it in a multi-stall public restroom.

Section 1008 in the IBC covers means of egress illumination. Section 1008.2 required the means of egress serving a room or space shall be illuminated at all times the space is occupied. 1008.3 covers emergency power for illumination and included electrical equipment rooms under 1008.3.3.

NFPA 101 section 7.8 also covers requirements for illumination of the means of egress, with emergency lighting covered in section 7.9.

References given are from the 2018 versions of the IBC and NFPA 101.