Is dual switching required?

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pysqueeda

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The building department plan reviewer says that I need dual switching in any room with more than one light fixture. Is this something new? I always provide three-way switching in any room with more than one access, but that is not what they are asking for.
 
Thanks, iwire

Thanks, iwire

Can you direct me to information on how such switching is to be installed? Eg. both switches in the same box, where located, etc.?
 
I agree with Bob, This comes from the Inernational Energy Conservation Code.

Section 505.2.2.1 requires light reduction controls, one method of acheiving this is to use dual level switching.

Here is a quote from the IECC:
505.2 Lighting controls. (Mandatory). Lighting systems
shall be provided with controls as required in Sections 505.2.1,
505.2.2 , 505.2.3 and 505.2.4.
505.2.1 Interior lighting controls. Each area enclosed by
walls or floor-to-ceiling partitions shall have at least one
manual control for the lighting serving that area. The
required controls shall be located within the area served by
the controls or be a remote switch that identifies the lights
served and indicates their status.
Exceptions:
1. Areas designated as security or emergency areas
that must be continuously lighted.
2. Lighting in stairways or corridors that are elements
of the means of egress.
505.2.2 Additional controls. Each area that is required to
have a manual control shall have additional controls that
meet the requirements of Sections 505.2.2.1 and 505.2.2.2.
505.2.2.1 Light reduction controls. Each area that is
required to have a manual control shall also allow the
occupant to reduce the connected lighting load in a reasonably
uniform illumination pattern by at least 50 percent.
Lighting reduction shall be achieved by one of the
following or other approved method:
1. Controlling all lamps or luminaires;
2. Dual switching of alternate rows of luminaires,
alternate luminaires or alternate lamps;
3. Switching the middle lamp luminaires independently
of the outer lamps; or
4. Switching each luminaire or each lamp.
Exceptions:
1. Areas that have only one luminaire.
2. Areas that are controlled by an occupant-sensing
device.
3. Corridors, storerooms, restrooms or public lobbies.
4. Sleeping unit (see Section 505.2.3).
5. Spaces that use less than 0.6 watts per square
foot (6.5 W/m2).
Click to expand...

Chris
 
Thanks, iwire

Thanks, iwire

Can you direct me to where I can find specs. for how such switching is to be installed?
Thanks
 
infinity said:
How do you define the term "dual switching"?
Click to expand...

Here is how the term is used in the IECC:

Dual switching of alternate rows of luminaires,
alternate luminaires or alternate lamps;

Chris
 
infinity said:
How do you define the term "dual switching"?
Click to expand...

In my experience it means just that.

In an office that has more then one 2 x 4 drop in we will have two switches giving the occupant a choice between full and partial lighting.

99% of the time this means one switch runs the center lamps of a 2 x 4 drop in the other switch handles the outer lamps.

Many times a dual circuit* wall mounted occupancy sensor is used.

In the large open areas lighting sensors are placed near the windows that shut down some of the lighting near the windows when there is enough ambient light.


*One circuit in, two out, each circuit with it's on manual switch on the face of the occupancy sensor.

DW200mirrored.jpg
 
pysqueeda said:
The building department plan reviewer says that I need dual switching in any room with more than one light fixture. Is this something new? I always provide three-way switching in any room with more than one access, but that is not what they are asking for.
Click to expand...


maybe he is referring to art. 410.73(G). disconnecting means for flour. fix with double ended lamps?
 
This is new to me.

This is new to me.

The comment from the plan reviewer was not clear since it was on their website in the plan comments. I will go over to talk with this reviewer to find out exactly what he wants.
Thanks for all of the helpful replies.
 
So the next question is, is everyone bound by the International Energy Conservation Code, Section 505.2.2.1?
 
infinity said:
So the next question is, is everyone bound by the International Energy Conservation Code, Section 505.2.2.1?
Click to expand...

Here is MA it would be in the MA building code but I think that is heavily influenced by the the IECC. Not really sure.

If I recall there are voltage drop limitations in the energy code as well.
 
For a small office, let say there are two three lamp parabolic fixture.
The fixtures need to have two ballasts. In one fixture wire a ballast to the two outside lamps. The second ballast is wired to the middle lamps. (Some people call it Inboard/outboard). Make sure that you do this same to the other fixture. Wire the Outboard ballasts to the same switch on the wall. Then wire the Inboard ballast to the different switch then the outboard, but keeping the inboard ballast tied together.

So you will need two switches, two fixtures with two ballasts in each.
When I use Inboard/outboard, I like to see the switches in the same two gang box.

There are some local codes that require that both switching (inboard and Outboard) can not be on at the same time.

I hope this is clearer then mud.
 
infinity said:
So the next question is, is everyone bound by the International Energy Conservation Code, Section 505.2.2.1?
Click to expand...

It depends on what codes your state adopts. If your state adopts the IBC then unless there are amendments IBC chapter 13 references the IECC for energy compliance.

The fixtures need to have two ballasts. In one fixture wire a ballast to the two outside lamps. The second ballast is wired to the middle lamps. (Some people call it Inboard/outboard). Make sure that you do this same to the other fixture. Wire the Outboard ballasts to the same switch on the wall. Then wire the Inboard ballast to the different switch then the outboard, but keeping the inboard ballast tied together.
Click to expand...

That is one method by you don't neccesarily have to switch inboard/outboard you can switch alternate fixtures.

Chris
 
iwire said:
Here is MA it would be in the MA building code but I think that is heavily influenced by the the IECC. Not really sure.

If I recall there are voltage drop limitations in the energy code as well.
Click to expand...

I believe that ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1 Energency Standard for Buildings Except for Low-Rise Residential Buildings has requirements for voltage drop.

Chris
 
if you are in CA then it comes from the NonResidential Compliance Manual which says: Most areas in buildings must be controlled so that the connected lighting load may be reduced by at least 50% while maintaining reasonably uniform illumination.
 
cowboyjwc said:
if you are in CA then it comes from the NonResidential Compliance Manual which says: Most areas in buildings must be controlled so that the connected lighting load may be reduced by at least 50% while maintaining reasonably uniform illumination.
Click to expand...

Very similar wording to the IECC.

Chris
 
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