Emergency Lighting
Code Review
Presented by
Iota Engineering LLC
Codes
• (IBC) International Building Code
• NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code)
• (NEC) National Electric Code
Codes
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Know which code/ revision applies
Know the Authority Having Jurisdiction
(AHJ) interprets and enforces codes
There may be more than one
Building inspector, Fire Marshall, Electrical
Inspector, Liquor Authority
• IBC, NEC and NFPA develop codes,
municipalities adopt
Performance
• Code requires at least 90 minutes of continuous
operation
• Local or state codes may require longer run
time/ higher light levels in certain applications
• NFPA 101 Chapter 5 & 6 Classification of
Occupancy
• Must be operational within 10 seconds of loss of
normal power
• Sources must be positioned to mark changes in
the path of egress
NFPA 101 Chapter 6
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Assembly
Educational
Day Care
Health Care
Detention
Business
Industrial
Storage
Hotels & Motels
Performance
• Exit access and exit discharge
• Must provide illumination out of the
building to the “public way”
• Public Way = “ a street or alley or other
parcel of land open to the outside air
dedicated for public use”
• Or at least 50’ from the building
• The height and width must be at least 10’x
10’
NFPA 101 4.5.3.3
• “Every exit shall be clearly visible, or the
route to reach every exit shall be
conspicuously indicated. Each means of
egress, in its entirety shall be arranged or
marked so that a way to a place of safety
is indicated in a clear manner.”
• Some AHJs require exits to be mounted at
no more than 10’ AFG
Performance
• Must be arranged to provide an initial
average of one foot-candle through the
path of egress
• Minimum of .1 foot-candle
• 40:1 max to min
• Must have at least 60% of initial
emergency illumination at the end of 90
minute run time
Testing
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30 second test every 30 days
Full 90 minute test once a year
Written testing records must be kept
Written records need not be kept if a computer
based testing system is used and is capable of
providing a history of code required tests. Must
keep written records of failure/ faults and repairs
• Self testing units only require a visual inspection
monthly
Dimmer Systems
• (NEC) 700.23
• Added to 2008 code
• Dimmer systems can be used as control
device for energizing emergency lighting
circuits
• Panel must be labeled that it is listed for
emergency circuits
Methods
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Generator
Inverter
Bug eyes
Battery packs
Methods
• Special attention should be given to the
type of occupancy before choosing a
method
• Refer to NFPA 101 Chapter 6
Generators
• Full light output to a dedicated EM fixtures
• Extended run time
• Must be maintained and tested according
to code requirements
• Needs to be located to minimize hazards
that could cause a failure of the system
• Start up time
• NFPA110 standard for generators
Generators
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On site fuel storage
Must have fuel containment facility
Noise and air pollution
Requires factory start up
Maintenance
Inverters
• Self contained
• Maintenance free batteries minimal
environmental impact
• Some are fast transfer
• Operates all lamp types if fast transfer
• Operates multiple fixtures
• UPS does not meet the requirements for
emergency lighting unless it is tested to
and is listed for UL924
Inverters
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Larger units require factory start up
Large inverters require large foot print
Some battery types must be exercised
Maintenance
Battery Packs
• Self contained
• Maintenance free
• Use same fixture for EM, “aesthetically
pleasing”
• Must be on same branch circuit as AC
ballast
• Instant on
• Vandal resistant
Battery Packs
• Single fixture application
• Fluorescent lamps only
• 7-10 year life
Bug Eyes
• Self contained
• Maintenance free batteries
• Must be connected to branch circuit
supplying normal lights
• Available in different NEMA ratings
• Instant on
• Cheap
Bug Eyes
• Uneven light distribution
• Not aesthetically pleasing
Article 708
• Critical Operations Power Systems
(COPS)
• Added to NEC for 2008
Article 708
• FPN No.1:Critical Operations Power
Systems are installed in vital infrastructure
facilities that if incapacitated would disrupt
national security, the economy, public
health or safety
Article 708
• Provides the requirements for the
installation, operation, control and
maintenance of electrical systems with a
high degree of reliability and resiliency to
natural disaster and other threats
Article 708
• Addresses homeland security issues for
facilities that are “mission critical”
• These systems must continue to operate
during the full duration of an emergency
Article 708
• Police stations
• Fire stations
• Hospitals
Article 708
• Many of the same rules that govern the
installation, wiring and testing of
emergency lighting power systems govern
this article
Trends
• Some municipalities requiring higher light
output for unit equipment
• Higher mounting heights
• Self Diagnostics
• Lamp/ ballast compatibility
• LED Lighting