Stupid emergency light requirement by AHJ

[Ragin Cajun]

I design all sorts of facilities from apartments to large industrial facilities.

Yesterday I was forwarded the comments from the state fire marshal (actually an EIT individual.) He wanted emergency lights inside and on the outside of a 8 X 10ft storage room with the only door being to the outside of the building, no door to the interior.

Good grief, it's not a building exit! It's a storage room with only an outside door to get into the room. Am I just in a bad mood or is this guy off base?

Comments from AHJ's would be appreciated.

 

[triphase]

Are You under IBC? 1002.1 and 1006.1 But if the Fire Marshall requests. I would do it. After all if spec'd it will be bid, installed and paid for.

 

[steve66]

I would try calling him and politely asking for a code reference. There may be a good chance you can talk him out of it.

If I remember the code wording correctly, any building with an occupancy of over 50 people requires egress lighting. The exact language in the code may not differentiate between a storage rooom inside a building and one attached to the building, but in my opinion, common sense should dictate the lights aren't necessary.

Another posibility, if there is a two hour fire wall between the storage room and the rest of the building, you might be able to convince him it is a separate building or occupancy.

Steve