Emergency light requirements

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sundowner

sundowner

Senior Member
Location
West Wisconsin
So I'm in a boiler plant with several levels of flooring - all open catwalk, about 15 or so emergency battery back up fixtures moounted throughout. A couplke years back the plant was upgraded and noe the entire facility is backed up with a natgas gen set.

The work order says they'd like the failed Elites replaced. I looked through 700, 701, 702, and beyond a bit. Not sure I have my answer yet - my question is - are they still required to have those E lites in the plant when the entire plant is already backed up and the gen would pick up lighting?

Any thoughts guys??

Thank

Steve
 
Building codes, not the electrical code, tell us when E-lights are needed. The NEC, article 700, tells us that if any load (such as E- lights) are required, by some code or other authority, to be on emergency power, then (THIS IS THE KEY POINT) those loads must be re-energized within 10 seconds of the loss of normal utility power. There are also a number of special requirements for the electrical configuration that would bring power from the generator to the emergency loads.

Can the newly installed gas generator meet these requirements?
 
Yes, unless the generator and transfer switch is listed for use as an Emergency System, Article 700, you will need battery back up exit and egress lights...assuming that those are required by the building code.
 
Although battery back-up "E" lights and Exits may seem as 'overkill', think about safety. I agree with Charlie & Don that you should maintain the units. You will not find anything in NEC, but think about being safe in the time between utility failure and gen startup.

BTW, what type of general lighting is in the area?? LED, Fluorescent, HID?? That can make a difference also.
 
The requirement for generators start in the adopted building code. In most occupancies, natural gas generators are not UL 2200 so can't be used for article 700 or 701 loads.

In addition, the local jurisdiction likely has rules for when a natural gas gen can be used depending on the reliability of the gas source.
 
Thanks guys! The plant has rod mounted 4' LED slim line fixtures. - But this is getting kicked up to Engineering at this point as the cost of the existing Lithonia E fixtures that are there now are about 750 bucks a piece. After a cost of 5000 bucks, this as to be sent out for bids, tus delaying me for a while.

Thanks for getting back to me tho fellas - appreciate that!

Steve
 
Wall pack bug eye lights are very inexpensive. I would not want to be on a catwalk with lights out. The linear e light fixtures are expensive and hard to service. Our electricians replaced them with big eye wall packs.
 
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