Lighting with Grade Level Access

[jasonapost]

I am working on a multifamily, mix used construction site in Arlington County Va. The building has an exterior terrace on the 2nd floor. The terrace is accesible to grade level through the building egress routes. He has apartments that surround the terrace, each unit has a fenced patio area. He has added gates to the patio area. Does this addition give the units grade level access, since they can get from the street, through the building, right to the back door of the unit? Would a light be required under 210.70 of the 2002 NEC. My answer is yes, the inspector is yes, the architecht say yes, but the builder is going with no. They would like to fight the county on the issue, my question is what side do most of you take?

 

[hurk27]

I am working on a multifamily, mix used construction site in Arlington County Va. The building has an exterior terrace on the 2nd floor. The terrace is accessible to grade level through the building egress routes. He has apartments that surround the terrace, each unit has a fenced patio area. He has added gates to the patio area. Does this addition give the units grade level access, since they can get from the street, through the building, right to the back door of the unit? Would a light be required under 210.70 of the 2002 NEC. My answer is yes, the inspector is yes, the architect say yes, but the builder is going with no. They would like to fight the county on the issue, my question is what side do most of you take?

(b) For dwelling units, attached garages, and detached
garages with electric power, at least one wall switch?
controlled lighting outlet shall be installed to provide illumination
on the exterior side of outdoor entrances or exits
with grade level access. A vehicle door in a garage shall not
be considered as an outdoor entrance or exit.

I think that is a very far reach to say any outside door has grade level access just because you can access grade level through the unit, if that were the case then there would be no reason for the requirement as written as it would just have to say "exterior side of all outdoor entrances or exits" I think this would also affect the definition of grade level access for required outside receptacle outlets also if this was true.

IMHO a outside exit to a balcony that is up stairs does not need a light unless it has a stairway to grade level from this balcony, If this exterior terrace can be considered at grade then maybe it has some merit? but using egress through the building is not the right way to go?

 

[charlie b]

I agree with Wayne, and with the builder. Here is the idea: You are inside your unit. You open a door and step through, and now you are breathing outside air. You close the door behind you. Can you, or can you not, make your way to the dirt below, without reopening the door? That is the point of being accessible to grade level. If you can walk down a set of stairs and make it to grade level, without first going back indoors, then the door you just walked through needs a light, in order to help you find your way to the ground. From what you are describing, a person can only make it to the ground by first going inside the building. That situation does not call for an exterior light.

 

[nakulak]

Arlington, VA. my money says the inspector is going to win this.