NEC or Life Safety code question

[mshields]

In a hospital I know you have to have a night light but an inspector is telling me you need egress lighting. i.e. 1fc at the door presumably. Anybody familiar with this requirement? Or whether or not it really is one?

Thanks,

 

[jtester]

1 fc of egress lighting is required in almost all commercial buildings not just hospitals. It is usually a building code requirement not an NEC one.

Jim T

 

[mshields]

I didn't state the question correctly

I didn't state the question correctly

The question applies to a hospital patient's room. Do you need 1 fc of egress illumination at the door of the room.

Sorry about that!

 

[jtester]

I don't have NFPA 99 at home, but I'd bet it is a requirement. You might check there.

Are you referring to emergency egress lighting? I don't think any commercial habitable room is allowed to be lit to less than 1 fc, although not all need emergency lighting.

Jim T

 

[Dennis Franklin]

Appliance disconnects

Appliance disconnects

1 fc of egress lighting is required in almost all commercial buildings not just hospitals. It is usually a building code requirement not an NEC one.

Jim T

Hi, Jim. Nice to see you on the forum, and thanks again for introducing me to it. Quick question: On outside pad mounted residentual ac units, does NEC 110.26 II apply, or article 440.14 for location of the maintenance disconnect?? Thanks, Dennis in NM

 

[triphase]

How did appliance disconnects get on this post?

 

[steve66]

I can't remember what the exact requirements are for egress lighting, but I think patient rooms have special exceptions. People don't want to sleep with 1FC at the door. Do you have NFPA 99? I would try looking in there. I think there may be provisions for switching off the emergency lighting.

Steve

 

[steve66]

OK, I dug a little more. You might want to look at NEC 517.32(A) first.

From NFPA 101, I found this:


7.8.1.1* Illumination of means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 7.8 for every building and structure where required in Chapter 11 through Chapter 42. For the purposes of this requirement, exit access shall include only designated stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators, and passageways leading to an exit. For the purposes of this requirement, exit discharge shall include only designated stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators, walkways, and exit passageways leading to a public way.

Here are two helpful definitions out of 101:

3.3.62* Exit. That portion of a means of egress that is separated from all other spaces of a building or structure by construction or equipment as required to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.

3.3.63 Exit Access. That portion of a means of egress that leads to an exit.

I know most patient rooms would have lights backed up by an emergency generator. But I think those lights can be switched off. This is only my opinion, but I don't see anything that requires 24 hour egress lighting in a patient room.

Steve

 

[muskiedog]

Generator back up

Generator back up

If you have the hospital on generator back up that would eliminate the emergency lighting since the generator has to switch over without delay due to critical operations. Emergency lighting is generally for means of egress and not for individual rooms unless there are potential hazards from loss of lighting such as explosion proof storage rooms Haz. Mat rooms ect.