Is there a code requirement that requires emergency egress lighting to come on automatically when normal power fails ? If you have a building where the emergency lighting is on an emergency generator should there be a switch for these lights whereby they have to be switched on manually incase of emergency if they were off?
Emergency lighting Switching
- Thread starter Geon_W
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Yes, if the emergency power is being supplied by a generator the transfer equipment must be automatic and shall have power avaliable within 10 seconds. Take a look at 700.6(A) and 700.12.
Chris
Chris
masterinbama
Senior Member
- Location
- Huntsville Alabama
Is there a problem with just leaving them on as night lights?
PCN
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
We use a reverse acting contactor that closes when there is a loss of power for all emergency lighting.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Yes, when it's conference rooms that need darkness for presentations or if you just want to save energy.
I have done some large retail stores that shut all lighting off at night, exit signs, egress lighting even the receptacles on the sales floor.
- Location
- Massachusetts
If you only have a few switches or dimmers, these are great, because you can mount the switch and relay in the same j-box.http://www.lightingcontrols.com/productcatalog/overview.asp?p=emergencyshunt
weressl
Esteemed Member
Most emergency situations and resultant requirements consider what is called a single failure. In other words when one looses utility supply, a fire will not occur simultaneously. So most emergency lighting is configured with each light have an emergency circuit and a normal circuit connected. When the normal circuit, preferably from the same source as the area lighting is supplied, is lost the light source is switched on from the emergency circuit. If it is done with a centralized emergency supply they - of course - can not monitor the individual areas, so the ATS that initiates the generator startup monitors the main supply. In that case if you have fire in a localized area due to electrical fault, emergency light would not be available to that area.
Please be aware that if it is a life safety system all components should be identified and approved for such use.
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