APARTMENT BUILDING COMMON ELEMENT LIGHTING
The level of illumination provided by artificial (electric) lighting within the common elements of apartment
buildings is mandated by the Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 629, sec 36, which states:
§ 629-36. Lighting
[Amended 2004-06-24 by By-law No. 559-2004]
A. Adequate artificial light required to maintain the level of illumination shall be provided at all times.
(2) Within all buildings exceeding three storeys in building height or having a building area exceeding 600
square metres or used for other occupancies not described in Subsection B(1):
(a) An exit, a public corridor, a corridor providing access to exit for the public, a corridor serving
patients or residents in a care and treatment occupancy or care occupancy, a corridor serving classrooms, an
electrical equipment room, a transformer vault and a hoistway pit shall be equipped to provide illumination
to an average level not less than 50 lux at floor or tread level and at angles and intersections at changes of
level where there are stairs or ramps.
For the purpose of measuring the amount of artificial illumination provided at floor level, it is recommended
that light readings be taken in the following way.
1. Corridors:
In order to obtain a true average it is recommended that light level readings be taken as follows;
a) In the event that a corridor is equipped with windows and the presence of day light may affect the
reading, the light reading must be taken after dark.
b) Starting at one end of the corridor take one light reading directly under each of the first two light
fixtures. (Record readings)
c) Then take one light reading at a point equidistant between the first two light fixtures and then the
second and third light fixtures. (Record readings)
d) Go to the other end of the corridor, or where there is a significant change of direction of the corridor
or where there is a fire/smoke control door, and repeat steps 2 &3. (Record readings)
e) Repeat steps 2, 3 & 4, in contained sections of the corridor. (Record readings)
f) Proceed to the elevator lobby and take a single reading in the centre of the elevator lobby.(Record
reading)
g) Total all of the readings, divide by the number of readings taken, this will provide the average
reading for the corridor, this number should not be less than 50 lux. (See illustrations below)
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2. Stairs:
In order to obtain a true average it is recommended that light level readings be taken as follows;
a) Stair light readings must be taken with corridor fire doors closed, and if the stairwell is equipped
with windows and the presence of day light would affect the reading, the reading should be taken
after dark. (Disregard windows in fire doors and to other interior corridors.)
b) Take one light reading in the centre of the landing area by the fire door. (Record reading)
c) Proceed a ½ way down the first stair and take reading at tread level. (Record reading)
d) Proceed to the intermediate landing take reading in centre of landing area. (Record reading)
e) Proceed a ½ way down second stair and take reading at tread level. (Record reading)
f) Proceed down to next fire door landing take reading in the centre of the landing area. (Record
reading)
g) Repeat steps 2 though 6 to the next fire door landing, total all of the readings, then divide by the
number of readings taken, this number should not be less than 50 lux. (See illustration next page)
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3. Garages:
Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 629-36B (1) Lighting states:
That the required lighting level in a garage is a minimum of 50 lux
In order to obtain a representative sample it is recommended that light level readings be taken as
follows;
a) Light readings should not be taken in the shadow of any vehicle.
b) Sample reading should be taken between light fixtures in the drive aisles and pedestrian walk ways,
and on the direct approach to exits and elevators. (See illustration next page)
c) No less than 10 readings should be taken to represent a specific area of the garage.
d) Light level reading should be taken in any area of the garage which appears to the naked eye to be
illuminated to a lesser level.
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