Occ sensors in aquatic research lab?

[Roglthm]

At a University, I have an open air metal structure 100' x 80' (mesh roof) with several aquatic tanks where fish raised are studied. We put overhead lighting with on/off control. The lighting is only if maintenance is needed during the evening, or if a technician needs to obtain information from one of the tanks monitors. Here's my question - do I need to provide occupancy sensors? I cant find in 90.1 where this application is specifically addressed. (I can see adding a photocell on the light controller).

 

[luckylerado]

At a University, I have an open air metal structure 100' x 80' (mesh roof) with several aquatic tanks where fish raised are studied. We put overhead lighting with on/off control. The lighting is only if maintenance is needed during the evening, or if a technician needs to obtain information from one of the tanks monitors. Here's my question - do I need to provide occupancy sensors? I cant find in 90.1 where this application is specifically addressed. (I can see adding a photocell on the light controller).

NEC will not require OCC sensors.

 

[Fitzdrew516]

What state is this job in?

 

[Roglthm]

This project is in Miami Florida.

 

[sparkyrick]

NEC will not require OCC sensors.

But building energy codes may require them.

 

[Fitzdrew516]

This project is in Miami Florida.

Oh, yeah - Florida has it's own energy compliance so you're not going to be using 90.1. It's been a while since I've done work in Florida so I don't know the answer right off the top of my head, however, the information I found said that the compliance was slightly stricter than the 2012 IECC, which is comparable to the 2010 90.1 code.
Based on that info I'd think it's safe to say that you would need occupancy sensors per the energy code.

P.S. - I'm not sure how much work you do in Florida, but to run your energy calcs you're probably going to need something that know's Florida's code. I always used Fla Com by Energy Gauge. If you're just doing a one off project in Florida there's probably a way to fill out the calcs by hand. I'd make your life simpler and just call your AHJ.

- Drew

 

[gadfly56]

Oh, yeah - Florida has it's own energy compliance so you're not going to be using 90.1. It's been a while since I've done work in Florida so I don't know the answer right off the top of my head, however, the information I found said that the compliance was slightly stricter than the 2012 IECC, which is comparable to the 2010 90.1 code.
Based on that info I'd think it's safe to say that you would need occupancy sensors per the energy code.

P.S. - I'm not sure how much work you do in Florida, but to run your energy calcs you're probably going to need something that know's Florida's code. I always used Fla Com by Energy Gauge. If you're just doing a one off project in Florida there's probably a way to fill out the calcs by hand. I'd make your life simpler and just call your AHJ.

- Drew

Can you get good enough sensor coverage so some grad student doesn't find him/herself standing in the middle of a dark building while writing up the data? If the space is only irregularly occupied, aren't there any exemptions?

 

[Fitzdrew516]

Can you get good enough sensor coverage so some grad student doesn't find him/herself standing in the middle of a dark building while writing up the data? If the space is only irregularly occupied, aren't there any exemptions?

If designed correctly it's pretty easy to assure a proper coverage pattern (talk to reps of lighting/lighting control companies in the area and have them send you a sensor lay out). Without knowing the exact code language I can't answer to the exemptions with 100% certainty, however, based off the info that I found that states Florida's code is stricter than 2012 IECC, I can make some assumptions. I would say there is no exception to that specific question.

A lot of the older codes allow you to not necessarily have occupancy sensors, but do require you to have some sort of automatic shutoff. So what is done most times is to run everything through a timeclock/contactors with an override next to the switch for the lights. This gets a bit more complicated because I believe you need to have some sort of control that is above and beyond on/off. In other words - bi level switching usually accomplishes this. If you are to just use occupancy sensors instead this eliminates the need to have multiple control steps and a time clock.

Here's what I would do. I would do everything on a time clock and contactors with an override. Most likely the inspector will be okay with it since this isn't a conventional "building". This would be the cheapest option as long as you know what you're doing.

- Drew