Are battery backed up Exit lights required to be connected to the lighting branch circuits in the area that they serve? And are you required to install a set screw on the breaker? You might be surprised. How about the emergency lighting?

OK, George, is this a trick question?
Last time I read, on local lighting, unless there are three (3) or more; then can be on a sep. circ. w/cb lock.

Same for exits & emerg units

Does not apply to structures with generator. Also not applicable to the glow-in-the-dark radioactive units (HAHA)

OK, I bit, now for the surprise??

From all of your previous threads, there has to be a surprise, right??

John

The jobs I run (small commerical fit outs ) we ALWAYS tie all exits and em lgts to a night light circuit, and install a breaker lock, on that circuit. I have never failed an inspection doing it that way.

Yes, see 700.12(F). Here is a quote from that section "The branch circuit feeding the unit equipment shall be the same branch circuit as that serveing the normal lighting in the area and connected ahead of any local switches."


No.

But you are required to label the circuit that feeds the unit equipment. 700.12(F) "The branch circuit that feeds unit equipment shall be clearly identified at the distribution panel."

Chris

But, if you read the exception, for a separate and uninterrupted area supplied by at least 3 lighting circuits (walmart, etc.) a separate branch circuit for unit equipment is allowed, so long as it comes from the same panelboard, and has the lock-on feature (set-screw).

Agreed, I was thinking about single circuits in the area and that there is no requirement to have a lock-on feature until you get to the exception for three or more circuits in the area.

Chris

George:

OH GEORGE; are you going to let me and the rest of us hanging???

Seems like all basically agree???

Whats the surprise??

John

Still here John, and there is no surprise catch. I do find it very impressive that all who commented had the same basic answer. I have written a violation nurerous times - because it seem that some contractors feel that particularly exit lights are permitted to be on any available circuit. I invite all of you to come to Michigan and make my life a little easier. The only thing I haven't figured out is when you have "exit discharge lighting" to illuminate the area outside the door, and the occupancy is a store in a mall with lighting outside the door provided by the landlord, what do you do for backup? Really an issue when remodeling and bringing a suite up to code on emergency lighting.

George:
I have to agree with you! Exit/Emerg not on local lighting circuit serving area is a COMMON red sticker for me also.

Next would be no cb lock on dedicated exit/emerg circuit. (where permitted)

Also popular is either NONE, or only ONE HEAD at exterior means of egress.

Our mall has emergency lighting powered by standby generator. Most retail 'back doors' have a tenant light & tenant remote heads, within the plans & specs.

And here I was patiently waiting for you to drop a bomb for something that I may have missed,

John

Sorry to disappoint you John, guess I'll have to come up with another subject to maintain my bad reputation.

I wish I had your problems George. In the rural municipalities I inspect there are no local ordinances requiring any exit or emergency lighting in commercial buildings at all. I have a child day care center that wants to get its state license and the only requirement in the licensing act for day care centers is that they need a sign above each door with ¾” letters indicating that it’s an exit. I even called the State Fire Marshal on this one and he said sorry but true. I’d love to enforce the rules if only I had them to enforce.

Elec n Spec:
First, WELCOME to ECN, from one of the 'Jersey' guys.

I see from your profile you're from MI, so now is it Minn or Mich??

I'm amazed that in 2006 you have NO fire safety codes in your area!

John

Elec N Spec,

I see that you are an electrical inspector. Have you talked with the building inspectors? According to the ICC web site, the IBC has been adopted statewide in Mich. For the 2003 IBC, 1006.3 covers the requirement for emergency lighting and 2702.2.3 requires emergency power for the exit signs. For the 2000 IBC, the sections would be 1003.2.11.2 and 1003.2.10.5.