Fire escape lighting

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jksmith82

Senior Member
Location
PA
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Electrical Contractor
Hi All,
I hope everyone is doing well! I was at a recently renovated Bed and Breakfast. I noticed there was no outside lighting, except battery back up, lighting on the fire escape exits. 3rd floor to ground floor. Putting aside the code, I see this as a major safety issue as you can exit any floor. When I read the code I found this. See below. The way I interpret this, the 3rd floor is accessible from grade level. But with that said I can see how it can be interpreted that lighting is needed on the grade level only. It did pass the inspections and is open. So I assume it did pass. What’s your opinion.

Have a a great rest of the day.
Jim

(b) 
For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached garages with electric power, at least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.


 
Hi Hal,
The are not alarmed but are marked “fire exit”. My thought is people will use them anyway. Maybe to smoke. Thanks. For the reply. I saw this and got code curious.

Jim
 
My thought is that they are intended as fire exits and not normal entrance/exits. I forgot to ask if they can be opened from the outside. I assume panic bar on the inside.

Just because people are able to use them doesn't mean that they were intended that way or they should. It would be a good idea to have an alarmed panic bar because lots of things tend to disappear out those doors like linens, TVs, etc.

-Hal
 
My thought was, at the very least, if the alarm went off people may go out the fire doors. With no form of lighting may be somewhat dangerous. False activations happen. When I read the code I interpret it to say lighting should be there. I may be Interpreting it wrong. That’s kind of why I wanted peoples opinions. There is an exception saying if you can enter that door from the outside, the lighting can be area lighting or on a sensor. But it is totally dark out in the back where the fire escape is. Incidentally it has a panic bar, and you can normally only exit. I imagine I am way overthinking this. Thank you for your input Hal.

Jim
 
Hi David,
That is a very good question. I do know the contractor that did the work. The plans are stamped 2008 residential code. I was curious myself and asked him. I know the commercial codes are different. Thanks. I have worked on Bed and Breakfast jobs as well. They have been residential codes as well. The ones I have been on I only have done limited work.

Jim
 
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