In reading IBC Section 1008.3, it lists the spaces that automatically must be illuminated upon a power outage. IBC 101.3 indicates that the code sets the minimum standards required in a building. Has anyone had an AHJ that makes you remove NEC Article 700 emergency lighting from a building, if those light fixtures you wired on that branch are outside of the areas listed in 1008.3? I have a three story stairway, which isn't part of the path of egress, but knowing human nature, in an fire event everyone will be taking that main stairway, so we put Article 700 emergency lighting on that stairway, but since it isn't part of the official means of egress, the local AHJ is requiring us to remove it from that branch. I do not see anywhere in IBC 1008, which states emergency lighting is ONLY allowed in these areas and nowhere else. Just curious to others around the country if they have seen this interpretation elsewhere.
IBC 1008 Emergency Egress Lighting Requirements
- Thread starter TeamShaft
- Start date
DBill64
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, Washington
- Occupation
- I&E Technician
Does the building only have a single means of egress? IBC 1008.3.2 states:
1008.3.2 Buildings that require two or more means of egress.
In the event of power supply failure in buildings that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps.
2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
3. Exit passageways.
4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.1.
5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.6 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.
It sounds pretty silly to me that an AHJ would call for LESS emergency lighting, especially in a building which more than likely requires at least two means of egress. But perhaps there is a good reason for not wanting extra emergency lighting in an area that is not intended to be used as a means of egress. They seem to already have the means of egress picked out that lead directly to the exterior of the building.
Determining the exit routes, their required number, and where they lead would be in accordance with OSHA 1910.36 & NFPA 101 Article 7. These were probably hashed out with your local Fire Marshal and are based on occupancy and physical layout of the structure.
Is the stairway (with the lights they want gone) a self-contained stairway with fire doors to enter it at each level, or is it an open stairway central to the building? They may want only emergency lighting that will direct occupants towards the outer edge of the building (where there will be purpose-built exit stairways with fire doors and made from fire-resistant materials with 1 hour of fire resistance for a 3-story or less building) as opposed to a central stairway deeper into the building. Not all stairways are created equal, and not all stairways meet the definition of an "Exit" according to OSHA 1910.36 & NFPA 101 Article 7.
Definitions from NFPA 101:
Means Of Egress: A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way consisting of three separate and distinct parts: (1) the exit access, (2) the exit, and (3) the exit discharge.
Exit: That portion of a means of egress that is separated from all other spaces of the building or structure by construction, location, or equipment as required to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
1008.3.2 Buildings that require two or more means of egress.
In the event of power supply failure in buildings that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps.
2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
3. Exit passageways.
4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.1.
5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.6 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.
It sounds pretty silly to me that an AHJ would call for LESS emergency lighting, especially in a building which more than likely requires at least two means of egress. But perhaps there is a good reason for not wanting extra emergency lighting in an area that is not intended to be used as a means of egress. They seem to already have the means of egress picked out that lead directly to the exterior of the building.
Determining the exit routes, their required number, and where they lead would be in accordance with OSHA 1910.36 & NFPA 101 Article 7. These were probably hashed out with your local Fire Marshal and are based on occupancy and physical layout of the structure.
Is the stairway (with the lights they want gone) a self-contained stairway with fire doors to enter it at each level, or is it an open stairway central to the building? They may want only emergency lighting that will direct occupants towards the outer edge of the building (where there will be purpose-built exit stairways with fire doors and made from fire-resistant materials with 1 hour of fire resistance for a 3-story or less building) as opposed to a central stairway deeper into the building. Not all stairways are created equal, and not all stairways meet the definition of an "Exit" according to OSHA 1910.36 & NFPA 101 Article 7.
Definitions from NFPA 101:
Means Of Egress: A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way consisting of three separate and distinct parts: (1) the exit access, (2) the exit, and (3) the exit discharge.
Exit: That portion of a means of egress that is separated from all other spaces of the building or structure by construction, location, or equipment as required to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
DBill64
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, Washington
- Occupation
- I&E Technician
TLDR: That stairway most likely does not meet the definition of an "Exit" (due to no fire resistant material, lack of fire doors, location in the building, and lack of direct discharge to the outside). This is likely the reason why they don't want emergency lighting in it, because that lightning would encourage evacuating people to try to utilize it as an exit, when it was not designed to be utilized as such.
ron
Senior Member
- Location
- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
I've seen them require removal of Exit signs from non-exit pathways (because the pathway it doesn't meet egress requirements), but not egress lighting.