Is an emergency light required in conference room?

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mike9999

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We are using night light connected to generator throughout the bldg. If I connect emergency night light in the conference room then there is no way I can turn it off for video presentation.
What are the alternatives beside not putting an emergency light (if not against NEC or other codes)?
 
I have put in plug-in type flashlights that will come on when the power is off. I used them in dark rooms (red Lens) and also in other areas that just didn't recieve good lighting from the emergency lighting.
 
You can switch the emergency lighting off if it is rigged to come on when needed.

We often use a normally closed contactor in parallel with the switch.

The contactor is held open by a 'normal' circuit feeding the coil.

If the utility fails the contactor closes and lights the e-lights.
 
I have two thoughts, and either one might be wrong, useless, or both.

First, I don?t think you need an emergency light in any room, with the possible exception of a large storage room with rows of shelves. The intent of an ?emergency light? is to guide persons out of the building. Getting into the hallway is their own problem. My supposition is that anyone can find a door to lead out of a room, unless perhaps they first must negotiate their way around a set of large shelves to get to the door. But this is not an NEC issue, and I don?t know which building codes might have something to say on this topic.

Secondly, I think you should be able to set up a lighting control panel such that the on/off switch in the conference room works normally, if the power is coming from the utility, and such that that switch is overridden (to stay on the ?on? position) if the power is coming from the generator. Here again, I don?t know if the applicable building codes would permit this scheme.
 
Charlie is right,

This is a building code issue, dealing with paths of egress. Typically, depending on the ocupancy classification, a room must have an occupant load of 50 to require 2 exits and therefore require emergency lighting.((DISCLAIMER)This comes from the IBC, local codes may vary:D)

Have you thought of using a "Bug eye" type of emergency light. These lights don't come on until they loose power.

Chris
 
It has been my experience that conference rooms and bathrooms get e-lights and the occupant load may well be under 50.

Of course it could be a local rule.:smile:
 
raider1 said:
Typically, depending on the ocupancy classification, a room must have an occupant load of 50 to require 2 exits and therefore require emergency lighting.((DISCLAIMER)This comes from the IBC, local codes may vary:D)
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I did not realize you have to have 50 people for a room to require an emergency egress light. If that is so then I can just take it off; and that will solve it. Conference room in question is probably for 12 people max.

Thanks to all.
 
I did not realize you have to have 50 people for a room to require an emergency egress light. If that is so then I can just take it off; and that will solve it.
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Again, check with the local building department for the code that is adopted in your area. Also it might not be as easy as just eliminating the light. If the local code dosen't require the light and the engineer has drawn it HE must say whether or not you can just eliminate it.

It has been my experience that conference rooms and bathrooms get e-lights and the occupant load may well be under 50.
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This is an example of what I am talking about. The code might not require an emergency light, but the engineer will still draw them in.

IMO a conference room and a restroom is a great place to have emergency lighting, (Would hate to be caught in contemplation when the lights go out:D) But this might not be a code requirement.

Chris
 
Here we are at the mercy of the fire department, when they do a walk through they are likely to have us add e-lights anyplace they feel like it.

There is no arguing there is no appeal, do it or you do not get a CO.
 
IBC 1006 .. "The means of egress including the exit discharge shall be illuminated at all times the building space served by the means of egress is occupied." There are a few exceptions for R occupancies, aisle accessways in Group A, etc. Whether or not emergency POWER is required for illumination is a separate issue, but include aisles, stairways that require 2 means of egress... etc.
 
NFPA 101 life safety code will help with occupany loads and what is required based on assemble, theaters, etc..
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Does Minn. adopt the life safety code? What other states adopt the life safety code? Utah has not.

Chris
 
Some conference rooms can have an occupant load of 7 sq ft per person, although 15 is a bit more common. From that, a 375 square foot conference room could require two exits and therefor emergency lighting per the IBC.

If the space requires two exits, it must have exit and emergency lighting.

Jim T
 
It has to have emergency lighting in any event. unless it fits into specific exceptions of the building code.. (and the max loading is currently 5 sf/person)... pretty crowded.. (gee have you ever been to a hospitality suite at a code change hearing??? hmmmm
 
jtester said:
Some conference rooms can have an occupant load of 7 sq ft per person, although 15 is a bit more common. From that, a 375 square foot conference room could require two exits and therefor emergency lighting per the IBC.

If the space requires two exits, it must have exit and emergency lighting.

Jim T
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Other ways can also be used to count the occupancy. Around here, for conference and waiting rooms, the number of chairs drawn on an architects plans can be fair game (at least for determining the number of exits required). I know I have counted 49 chairs drawn in an area more than once!!
 
As I do design for "conference" rooms, I tend to play it on the safe side. A bug eye, fluorescent battery pack, etc. on the plans is in the grand scheme of things cheap, ~<$100. BUT, get some inspector, FD, etc. with a wild hair who wants it AFTER the fact and you're looking at $2-300 and a ticked off client.

Typically, if the conference room has two doors, not necessarily for body count but to be able to divide the room up into two small conference rooms, I will put emergency lights. Only one door, no.

Now, rest rooms are quite another matter. Some AHJ?s want emergency lights is EVERY rest room, some only if there are two doors, even if both doors lead directly to an exit way. Again, I generally play it safe. Often I will take a two head fixture and put one head in each RR.

Whatever, they can always find something to kick you in the read. With that said, lately I have had good relations with the AHJ?s. I try to contact them during the design process and they appreciate that.

RC
 
I'm looking in the 2000 IBC right now, so the Code section is not correct, but the verbiage is the same in 2006... "1003.2.11 Means of egress illuminations. The means of egress, including the exit discharge shall be illuminated at all times the building space served by the means of egress is occupied".... Sec 1003.2.11.2 (again 2000) requires illumination emergency power in buildings which require 2 or more means of egress... different things
 
The conference room is not the means of egress the hallway to the exit is. You would require the paht or means of egress out of the facility not out of the room unless specifically required. Yes we do use the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code in Minnesota.
 
Yes we do use the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code in Minnesota.
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Thanks, I have been wondering what states do adopt NFPA 101 life safety code. As I stated earlier Utah does not adopt the Life safety code as a whole, just where referenced by other adopted codes.

Chris
 
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