Electrical Code for Prison/Detainment ctrs.

[Dennis Franklin]

Hi, I am presently wiring a detainment center (Jail) here in NM. Question is, on switching for lighting and exit lighiing in the sleeping areas, and halls, do we have to install exit lights, or switching in areas where prisoners are? This would be a disaster, because the inmates would destroy them. also, I have installed a lighting control center in the guard station, for hall, entry, sleeping cells, outside, dining area lighting, so the guard can control them, without switching in these areas, as normally required by code. Will this work???? There are no windows (obviously) in the building, so the lighiing will be on 24/7.....Dennis

 

[l3city]

This would be a disaster, because the inmates would destroy them. also, I have installed a lighting control center in the guard station, for hall, entry, sleeping cells, outside, dining area lighting, so the guard can control them, without switching in these areas, as normally required by code.

Hi there, well I haven't seen any part in the NEC specifying where exactly a light (control) switch shall be exactly located. Thus, I don't think having all switches/control at the guard room will be a problem. I recenlty inspected a low-security (border patrol) jail where they had all (key locked) switches outside the inmmate rooms in addition to the control at the guard room.

There are of course, other options, such as time clocks, sensors/power packs, etc etc
Regards:smile:

 

[celtic]

Aren't these locations in the job specs?
If not, you might consider sending out RFI's on it.

 

[Dennis Franklin]

This is what this project is, a low security border patrol jail... Just a tad bit concerned if the inspector will want swithching at entry doors, etc... per code, when the Jail warden doesn't want them anywhere except under guard control, in the control room only....

 

[muskiedog]

Department of Corrections

Department of Corrections

Our jails are all controlled by panels in outer cooridors or in the control rooms. Department of Corrections in your home state should have information related to this. Normally you can get this of their website. Some of the older facilities where retro fitted because of vandalism from our quests.

 

[l3city]

This is what this project is, a low security border patrol jail... Just a tad bit concerned if the inspector will want swithching at entry doors, etc... per code, when the Jail warden doesn't want them anywhere except under guard control, in the control room only....

Well, as said by others, the project might have some specs/requirements on this lighting control issue. In my case as I said, the key-locked switches were all located outside each sell in addition to the ones in the officer's control room. There is no problem at all with this. Go ahead, ask the client (Core of Engineers or Border Patrol) they might have previous jobs that might be used as examples.
Regards

 

[earshavewalls]

Like an earlier answer stated, you'd be best off checking with the Department of Corrections for their criteria. Sounds to me like you are either the electrical engineer on the project or the architect, so the best source of information would be the folks that are in charge of running the joint (pun intended).

 

[Dennis Franklin]

Like an earlier answer stated, you'd be best off checking with the Department of Corrections for their criteria. Sounds to me like you are either the electrical engineer on the project or the architect, so the best source of information would be the folks that are in charge of running the joint (pun intended).

This is in the "bootheel" borderland of NM, no, I'm not the architect, and he doesn't have the slightest idea of what to do anyway, I'm the EC, and the warden is the boss.... he wants them in the control room, less trouble...so I guess that's where they're gonna be.... Seems the code would have specific info on jails.... thanks, Dennis

 

[ceb]

I work for the Dept. Of Correction in NC and our newer prisons have all lighting controle from the dorm area controle center because as you said they are maned 24/7. I do not know about your state but when we do new construction,additions and remodeling we (per state law) are not requried to be permited or inspected by local inspections dept. Our plans are drawn by our eng. , approved and inspected by the state insurance dept. Who follows NEC Code but allows varances for prison applactions. And beleve me you had better have all your stuff together when they do electrical inspections because they will turn you down if they find old violations. I was turned down on a office addition because some one, at some time, had removed a breaker, in a panel next to the one I was working in, and insted of a breaker blank they screwed a small peice of sheet metal over the hole. It had to be replaced with approved methods.