ericlwinston
Member
Does the NEC cover footcandles of light on prep. areas, walk-in freezers, hood tops,ect., in a restaurant? If so,please guide me in the right direction
footcandles
- Thread starter ericlwinston
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The NEC does not address the minimum amount of lighting needed in any given area. That sort of information is provided in standards published by the Illuminating Society of America.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the forum.
charlie b said:
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America
https://www.iesna.org/
Lumers, Footnagles, and Glare
construct
Senior Member
- Location
- Branson, Missouri
The International Building Code is one source for required lighting. Section 1006 is Means of Egress Illumination. Section 1205 covers General Lighting.
ericlwinston
Member
minimum amount of lighting the NEC
minimum amount of lighting the NEC
I appreciate the feedback because I've never seen any thing concerning, "footcandles" in the NEC but, as always, i had to bring it home to the forum.
minimum amount of lighting the NEC
I appreciate the feedback because I've never seen any thing concerning, "footcandles" in the NEC but, as always, i had to bring it home to the forum.
ultramegabob
Senior Member
- Location
- Indiana
When I wire resturaunts, the board of health comes in with a lux meter and checks if the lighting is bright enough at countertop height, and at various locations in kitchen and coolers.
raberding
Senior Member
- Location
- Dayton, OH
- Occupation
- Consulting Engineer
foodservice illuminance
foodservice illuminance
I seem to recall that most Health Departments require 50 fc on food prep worksurfaces
foodservice illuminance
I seem to recall that most Health Departments require 50 fc on food prep worksurfaces
DanZ
Senior Member
Local building and energy conservation codes should cover that. I know in Ohio, on commercial, we need to show a lighting calculation by square foot (allowed levels change per use) or just use the free ComCheck software from the DOE.
At least when we get building permits we need to show that.
At least when we get building permits we need to show that.
drbond24
Senior Member
- Location
- Barboursville, West Virginia
Here's what you need:
It is expensive though. $425 new on Amazon.
It is expensive though. $425 new on Amazon.
restaurant Fc requirements
restaurant Fc requirements
Charlie b is spot on as the NEC does not use Footcandles (that are by design) but does specify General light loads using V-A per SF minimums by occupancy...see Table 220.12 and lighting load DF %...Table 220.42.
Reference to the IESNA will give illumination references for standards that may be adopted for local requirements, but this does not really address energy conservation levels for optimum task area lighting. Illumination guidelines may not apply in some States that require lighting strategies to conform to lamp efficacy range outputs such as California's Title 24 constraints.
The DOE Comcheck and Rescheck calculations are also not sufficient in addressing AHJ requirements in lighting efficiencies for energy saving minimums that are crucial in keeping down overhead costs and excess extended Utility Tier imposed penalties. I am relating to past (1980) energy management experiences where a single restaurant would consume enough electrical that would cost around 10K (USD) per month in utility bills.
As a quick reference, www.energytrust.org/library/case_studies/Seasons_Region.pdf would be a good place to start for understanding restaurant lighting selection for what you are seeking. The data will be a plus on helping the client save overhead costs and get optimum workplane illumination for each task and environment lighting. rbj
restaurant Fc requirements
Hi ericl,ericlwinston said:
Charlie b is spot on as the NEC does not use Footcandles (that are by design) but does specify General light loads using V-A per SF minimums by occupancy...see Table 220.12 and lighting load DF %...Table 220.42.
Reference to the IESNA will give illumination references for standards that may be adopted for local requirements, but this does not really address energy conservation levels for optimum task area lighting. Illumination guidelines may not apply in some States that require lighting strategies to conform to lamp efficacy range outputs such as California's Title 24 constraints.
The DOE Comcheck and Rescheck calculations are also not sufficient in addressing AHJ requirements in lighting efficiencies for energy saving minimums that are crucial in keeping down overhead costs and excess extended Utility Tier imposed penalties. I am relating to past (1980) energy management experiences where a single restaurant would consume enough electrical that would cost around 10K (USD) per month in utility bills.
As a quick reference, www.energytrust.org/library/case_studies/Seasons_Region.pdf would be a good place to start for understanding restaurant lighting selection for what you are seeking. The data will be a plus on helping the client save overhead costs and get optimum workplane illumination for each task and environment lighting. rbj
Last edited:
- Status