Question: What are the requirements for emergency “means of egress lighting” for existing and for new buildings?
Answer:
Existing Buildings
1027.5 Illumination emergency power. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the building electrical supply. If however the power fails, illumination is required to be automatic from an emergency system for the following occupancies that require two or more exits:
The emergency power system shall provide power for not less than 60 minutes and consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator.
New Buildings
While a building’s exit system needs to be illuminated at all times, the fire and building codes recognize the need for “emergency egress illumination.”
In the event of a power failure, an emergency power system lasting not less than 90 minutes must automatically illuminate the following areas required to have two or more exits:
• Aisles and unenclosed egress stairways
• Corridors, exit enclosures, and exit passageways
• Exterior egress components at other than the level of exit discharge until exit discharge is accomplished
• Interior exit discharge elements in buildings (Exit, Exit Access, Exit Discharge)
• Exterior landings for exit discharge doorways
The emergency power system may consist of storage batteries, an on site generator, or unit equipment”.
The lighting must be capable of illuminating the exit path an average of 1 foot-candle and a minimum of 0.1 foot-candle at any point. As power decreases over the 90 minutes, the illumination levels are permitted to decline to 0.6 foot-candles and a minimum at any point of 0.06 foot-candle at the end of the designated time. This allowable decline acknowledges that the battery performance will decline over time as the lights operate.
Fire inspection personnel must remember to check the operation of emergency egress lighting whenever they conduct a fire safety inspection. Faulty units or burned-out bulbs should be repaired or replaced promptly.
Note: For existing or new buildings and for all occupancies the means of egress conforming to the requirements of the building code under which the building was constructed shall be considered as a complying means of egress if, in the opinion of the fire code official, it does not constitute a distinct hazard to life.
Answer:
Existing Buildings
1027.5 Illumination emergency power. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the building electrical supply. If however the power fails, illumination is required to be automatic from an emergency system for the following occupancies that require two or more exits:
- Assembly with an occupant load of 50 or more, Churches with an occupant load more than 300
- Business with an occupant load of 100 or more above or below ground level, or 3 stories or higher, or 1,000 or more occupants
- Educational all interior stairs, corridors, windowless areas, shops and laboratories
- Factory all egress areas with more than 100 occupants
- Institutional all egress areas
- Mercantile if over 3,000 sq. ft. or 1 story in height excluding mezzanines
- Residential Motels/Hotels, Egress areas unless the bedroom(s) have an exit directly outside at grade.
- Apartments, Egress areas unless there is a direct exit to the outside at grade.
- Day Care, Egress areas unless the bedroom(s) have an exit directly outside at grade.
The emergency power system shall provide power for not less than 60 minutes and consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator.
New Buildings
While a building’s exit system needs to be illuminated at all times, the fire and building codes recognize the need for “emergency egress illumination.”
In the event of a power failure, an emergency power system lasting not less than 90 minutes must automatically illuminate the following areas required to have two or more exits:
• Aisles and unenclosed egress stairways
• Corridors, exit enclosures, and exit passageways
• Exterior egress components at other than the level of exit discharge until exit discharge is accomplished
• Interior exit discharge elements in buildings (Exit, Exit Access, Exit Discharge)
• Exterior landings for exit discharge doorways
The emergency power system may consist of storage batteries, an on site generator, or unit equipment”.
The lighting must be capable of illuminating the exit path an average of 1 foot-candle and a minimum of 0.1 foot-candle at any point. As power decreases over the 90 minutes, the illumination levels are permitted to decline to 0.6 foot-candles and a minimum at any point of 0.06 foot-candle at the end of the designated time. This allowable decline acknowledges that the battery performance will decline over time as the lights operate.
Fire inspection personnel must remember to check the operation of emergency egress lighting whenever they conduct a fire safety inspection. Faulty units or burned-out bulbs should be repaired or replaced promptly.
Note: For existing or new buildings and for all occupancies the means of egress conforming to the requirements of the building code under which the building was constructed shall be considered as a complying means of egress if, in the opinion of the fire code official, it does not constitute a distinct hazard to life.
