Emergency exit light

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recently I did punch list for project in NYC. recessed light fixtures provided without test button, instead there was red light that emergency equipment is ok. contractor told there was no option to get fixtures with push button. is some one know if the installation is ok. As usual inspector signed the project.

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gadfly56 said:
Ahhh, you make a good point. So my question for the OP is:

By self-test, did you mean a button that momentarily interrupts the AC, causing the unit to switch to battery for as long as you hold down the button, or did you mean self-test in that when you press and immediately release the button it goes into a 90 minute test cycle where it cuts off the AC via an internal relay and timer?
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By self-test, i mean switch to battery for as long as someone hold down the button. That's why contractor is suggesting the solution to put the push button for test purpose as a substitute to self test switch.
 
Is it required for the maintenance plan to test the battery for it is whole service life (i.e : 3 hours), and this action should be monthly or what.

but what i understand from PO that he want only to make a quick check that the battery is OK.
 
Abdel Rahman Mohamed said:
Is it required for the maintenance plan to test the battery for it is whole service life (i.e : 3 hours), and this action should be monthly or what.

but what i understand from PO that he want only to make a quick check that the battery is OK.
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Well, your mileage may vary, but typically in the US once a year you have to run the lights for 90 minutes, which is how long they are supposed to last in an emergency. There is also a monthly quick test for 30 seconds. By "monthly" they don't mean once on April 30 and again on May 1. The minimum interval is 3 weeks, the max is 5 weeks. There are units out there that will do these tests automatically, and honestly, they don't cost that much more than the manual only units. Some also let you manually start the self test by shining a laser pointer at them.
 
gadfly56 said:
Well, your mileage may vary, but typically in the US once a year you have to run the lights for 90 minutes, which is how long they are supposed to last in an emergency. There is also a monthly quick test for 30 seconds. By "monthly" they don't mean once on April 30 and again on May 1. The minimum interval is 3 weeks, the max is 5 weeks. There are units out there that will do these tests automatically, and honestly, they don't cost that much more than the manual only units. Some also let you manually start the self test by shining a laser pointer at them.
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Thanks for your useful feedback.
 
kwired said:
What if 87 minutes into the 90 minute test, the power fails?:blink:
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Die in the dark? :eek:hmy: Seriously, if the lights are in good shape and the batteries are replaced regularly (every 3-5 years), they will last probably for 3 hours.
 
GoldDigger said:
Always test during the day and provide natural light sources?
Or only test when the building is not in use?

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gadfly56 said:
Die in the dark? :eek:hmy: Seriously, if the lights are in good shape and the batteries are replaced regularly (every 3-5 years), they will last probably for 3 hours.
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First I wasn't really all that serious.

Second, should any kind of AHJ come to witness such a test it will seldom if ever correspond to the building being unoccupied unless normal occupation of the building is outside of the typical 9-5 workday.:happyyes:
 
Sajid khan said:
Yes, i think one should give this idea to NEC code committe.

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Actually would be a different NFPA publication that would cover this.

NEC has little to do with what egress lighting is required, but does cover how to wire it when it is required.
 
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