LED Fixtures for Emergency Lighting

[steve66]

I wonder how 700.16 will apply to LED fixtures:

Emergency lighting systems shall be designed and installed so that the failure of any individual lighting element, such as the burning out of a lamp, cannot leave in total darkness any space that requires emergency illumination.

I guess the LED's aren't a problem since all these fixtures each contain several LED's.

I suppose one could interpert this to include the power supply or LED driver board. But that would be the equivalent of requiring two ballasts on a fluorescent fixture. I haven't ever heard anyone claim two ballasts are required on a fluorescent fixture.

 

[DetroitEE]

I would say that LEDs won't be treated any different than fluorescents with regard to emergency lighting. As you said, it's never required to have two ballasts, so I don't see why multiple drivers would be required.

 

[skeshesh]

It may be a good idea in certain cases such as outdoor lighting. Pole mounted LED lights are available now, and if used in the path of egress should the building have a courtyard, etc. with a fence, may be required to be treated as emergency lighting. Some outdoor area lighting manufacturers who do LEDs offer the dual driver option with a relay to switch over to the backup should the driver fail (and they inevitabely do over time). I have not used this in application but I think it would be a decent idea should I ever use LED outdoor lighting.

 

[Npstewart]

Emergency lights always have two separate lights to comply with that code, this is in case a bulb burns out. The code isn't requesting two completely separate drivers or ballasts.

 

[steve66]

It may be a good idea in certain cases such as outdoor lighting.

We have AHJ's that require an exterior emergency light at exit doors. I was thinking about LED can lights mounted in the sofit above the doors.

Emergency lights always have two separate lights to comply with that code, this is in case a bulb burns out. The code isn't requesting two completely separate drivers or ballasts.

Yes, I think you are right. When I read that section again, it says any "individual lighting element". I think a lighting element would be what ever produces the light: a incandescent lamp, or a compact fluorescent lamp, or a LED. I don't think it would include any other parts of the fixture.