In another thread, the topic turned to energy conservation, which makes me wonder: In your state/county/city/neck o' the woods, is dual level switching a requirement in commercial buildings?

Ryan,
Hate to look like a silly person, but could you please define the term "Dual level switching?.

The energy conservation construction code has many rules for conserving energy. One of the rules requires buildings of 5,000 sq ft and larger with rooms that are 250 sq ft to have two means of controlling the lighting. One means is manual (switch), the other either part of a system or a means of automatically turning the lights off. This can all be in one unit, such as an Intermatic timer with manual override.

In lower NY, it is not being enforced, but on larger jobs the engineers are specifying it.

Pierre

Ryan I have no idea of the code requirements.

I do know that as Pierre stated the engineers are including this in the drawings.

Almost as many ways to accomplish this as there are engineers.

In open office spaces we often put in light level meters that will take out half the lighting when the windows provide enough light, along with motion sensors that kill the lights entirely when unoccupied.

In small private offices most times we have "a, b, switching" Switch "a" runs the center tubes of the fixture and switch "b" the outside tubes, this is also overridden with an occupancy sensor.

Where we have hi or low bay HIDs we may again have a light level sensor that puts the HIDs in some sort of low output mode, this takes a third wire to each fixture.

I have never had an inspector ask any questions on any of this.

Mike dual level switching is what Bob (Iwire) is describing. Basically, two switches control each light.

The IECC states that in commercial buildings there must be a means provided to decrease lighting by 50% in (almost) every room. I call this out on plan review quite often.

Bob: I hope you continue to not hear it from inspectors. If it got through the plan review stage without being caught, it is way too late to bring it up.

In NC, state funded or controlled projects such as schools, we must provide 50% / 50% or as Iwire says a b switching.

There are also occupancy sensors on some of the A/C equipment.

The Federal jobs we have done in the last few years are pretty much as Pierre describes.

Roger

In California this is covered under Title 24 regulations.
Something of interest-
I have done allot of theme park work and they are exempt from these rules.

Adding to Nick's reply in regards to Title 24 - Part 6 (California's State Building + M/E/P Codes are Title 24 - Part "_X_"):

California Energy Commission's Standards for Energy Conservation in New, Altered or Remodeled, & Additions in Residential and Non-Residential Occupancies cover the Building's Envelope (Framing, Insulation, Windows, etc.), M/E/P, and Appliances.
Anyone who has worked in the Construction Fields out here has at least heard of these Standards - and will be referred to in "Trade Slang" as "TITLE 24".

"a/b" Switching began in late 1970's for Commercial Installations.

By mid 1980's, Commercial Lighting included "Slave/Master" fixtures, Zones of upto 5,000 Sq. Ft. separately controlled via auto shutoffs (if all under one meter), multi level lighting controls ("a/b - c/d - e/f"), and use of energy saving Ballasts + Lamps (F40T12 Lamps rated for 34 Watts).

By mid 1990's, Daylit areas became included into "Dimming Scheme", lower TLP (Total Lighting Power) per Occupant Category, and more of an emphasis placed on automatic occupancy sensors for credits.
Also, 1 Family Residential installations became included into Standards (for Lighting, that is; - Mechanical and Building Envelope already involved since first adoption in 1970's).

Things took a gigantic change after the rolling blackouts situation.
The Compliance Standards at that time were the 1998 version. This version was quite different than the previous version of 1995 - but not as drammatic of change between 1998 and the currently used version - 2001 Nonresidential Compliance Manual.

The rolling blackouts modeled a Worse-Case-Scenario for the Energy Commission, and with this in mind - figured to revise many currently enacted Standards - both in the Residential and the Non-Residential Standards.

For more information regarding these Compliance Standards, check out:

CEC-Title 24 Homepage

These energy conservation items are compiled into all Architectural & M/E/P/ Plansets.
Also per Business codes, if the Contractor is also doing the Installation, that Contractor may perform the designing and take responsibility upon the Documents as both designer and author (such as Design / Build).

Scott35

I can't help thinking that in many places these days we're simply installing too many lights in the first place.

Some years ago I checked out the lighting in a small supermarket which had just been built near to where I lived. It had a small entrance lobby, about 20 feet square, with full-height windows on two sides. That lobby alone had something like 3kW of lighting in it.

We simply don't need supermarkets illuminated to the level of an operating theater!

Paul, I have thought the same thing. We have an engineering firm in this area who would install a fixture in every opening of a grid ceiling if they could.

Don't get me wrong, I think the world of this group, but they have a "overkill" attitude on lighting.

Roger

[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 01-06-2004).]

The Super Markets we do are as bright as an operating room as you say.

I think people relate bright with clean. I know I do, if I go into a store that is dark and dingy I am put off, I think it is dirty.

They have taken to adding large skylights and gone with the light meters.But 50% light level on a job that has 400% more light than they need is still bright.

They just had us go around to about 80 stores, remove about 200 4' fluorescent lamps and disconnect the ballasts for them.

These lamps where under the front edge of the dairy shelves, this was a smart move as standard stocking procedure always covered these lamps entirely.

I can't tell you how many containers of yogurt, butter, cheese etc. that I knocked to the floor while removing lamps.

Bob

We in Connecticut will adopt the 2003 IEC in September. In addition to the 50% light reduction controls mentioned, we will be limited to Table 805.5.2, "Interior Lighting Power". This will limit the overall lighting wattage of various buildings to levels below that of the NEC's Table 220.3(A).
For example, under the NEC, we are to allow 2 VA/sq. ft., but the IECC wants a cap of 1.2 watts / sq. ft.; hotels from 2 down to 1 overall or 1.3 for a tenant space; schools from 3 down to 1.2; offices from 3.5 down to 1 overall or 1.1 for tenant space.
Of course, the NEC includes receptacles in some of these "General Lighting Loads", and the IECC is for only lighting fixtures.
I find it interesting that some occupancies allow more wattage than in the NEC. i.e. Churches in the NEC allow 1 VA/ sq. ft. , but, the IECC limits wattage to 1.3 overall and 2.4 for tenant spaces. All in the name of saving energy. It is just a little like comparing apples to oranges.

earlydean,

Are any minimum lighting levels mentioned?

I can see one area suffering for another that they want well lit so that they keep the averages down under the maximum/sq.ft

Bill

P.S. >> Ryan,

Isn't 'ON' and 'OFF' already 2 levels??

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 01-06-2004).]

The only thing I've seen around here like that is "safety lighting" - like in hospitals / universities, etc, where one light per every x s.f. will remain on, so that security / staff can verify occupancy, even when the lights are "off".

Really annoying when you're trying to sleep in a hospital waiting room!

Per Minimum Light Levels (Illumination, LUX, Foot-Candles, and the like);

Egress Lighting is one area where a minimum level will need to be met or exceeded.

In the Banking Industry, at ATMs (either Walk-Up, Drive-Through / Kiosk, or Interior Lobby via card entry), there are minimum lighting levels at various target points of proximity, which need to be met or exceeded.
Of course, these levels apply during Night Time (i.e. Darkened hours of Operations).

This, along with upkeep and design of the entire ATM transaction + surrounding areas, are listed in the California Financial Code, under Section 13000.

In the field, it's known as "AB-244", from when the concept was proposed as an Assembly Bill back in 1990 (Assembly Bill 244 for 1990).
No clue why this term stuck - and continues to stay, because it has absolutely no reference per the F.C. compliance!
(do an assembly bill search for "AB-244" at the State of California's site. what results will be in another galaxy as ATM lighting is viewed!...AKA "Whaddaheck does this have to do with ATM lighting???).

Apparently, Gasoline Stations have a similar Lighting Level compliance to meet - as all the Fuel Stations around here which are open 24/7 are lit up like crazy!

Fin. Code 13000 is not something one would find in the NEC, UBC, CEC (Cal. Elect. Code), IEC, or other references. It's kind of something "Learned" when doing Bank work.

Engineering requirements (Electrical) for the typical Bank Job will include the ATM area lighting compliance of FC13000 - as well as the typical E Sheets of the Contract Documents (Power, Interior Lighting, Exterior Lighting, 1 Line, Panel Schedules, Comm/Data, Security/CCTV, Title 24 Part 6).
The FC13000 ATM area plan page will describe specs of luminairs, and have illuminance levels - in foot-candles, plotted at target points of an area layout.

Sometimes, the C.O. (Certificate of Occupancy) will not be issued until the ATM area conditions of FC13000 are accepted by Building Department, Police Department, or both.

There are not too many minimum lighting levels, which can be items of enforcement, in addition to the ones I have listed.

Scott35

Hmmm..... Codes requiring certain minimum levels of illumination vs. energy-efficiency codes requiring minimal power consumption.

Should make for an interesting fight in years to come!

It is a fine line we must walk. Three masters to serve: The owner, the inspector, and the tenant. No wonder we have gray hair. (or in my case no hair)

Additionally,
Outside lighting (parking lots, etc) here can't have bright spots and dark spots.
The maximum/minimum lighting ratios can't be exceeded. A point by point site plan with lighting levels is often required to be submitted with plans for plan check approval before a permit is issued.
Sometimes a "Police" inspection is required, with a seargent or lieutenant running around with a light meter at night.

The next CA Title 24 will include exterior lighting in the energy consumption calcs.
(Ought to be interesting on the auto dealerships we do, which might have 3 or 4 - 1000 watt metal halides on poles 40 feet apart)

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 01-11-2004).]

"In another thread, the topic turned to energy conservation, which makes me wonder: In your state/county/city/neck o' the woods, is dual level switching a requirement in commercial buildings?"

No

Electure, what exemption or special provisions (wording) are (or are going to be) made for stadiums?

Roger

A provision to provide night vision glasses for players and spectators of course.

I can see the car dealerships not moving locations so they can keep the old brighter than the sun lighting designs.

Golf Junkie: Your profile says that you are from "York NE" . Is that York Pennsylvania? I am assuming the NE is New England(?)
It looks like Pennsylvania adopts codes on a city by sity basis, but it also appears that the state is interested in adopting the IECC. This might be coming your way....

"Golf Junkie: Your profile says that you are from "York NE" . Is that York Pennsylvania? "

NE = Nebraska

Computer took a dump...please hang on
...S see ya soon S

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 01-11-2004).]

Much better, fixed mine, borrowed the daughter's slow computer for a couple of days.
From what I've heard (which isn't much, please don't quote me), another issue will come into play....Time.
Stadiums, Carlots, etc. will be allowed to have their full illuminance, but on a limited time schedule. I've seen new plans with a (yucky) LPS night/light mounted to the poles.
I actually don't know diddly-squat about this, but it's been the rumor, food for thought...S

they are starting to enforce it in corpus christi texas