A common issue near the final inspection is the proper installation of lighting that illuminates the means of egress. NEC^® 700.16(A) states that emergency illumination shall include means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other luminaires specified as necessary to provide required illumination. The IBC and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code specify where means of egress illumination is necessary while the NEC^® specifies how the illumination is to be wired.

IBC 1008.2.1 covers illumination levels when normal power is present. The means of egress illumination level must be no less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface. Along exit access stairways, exit stairways and at their required landings, the illumination level must not be less than 10 footcandles (108 lux) at the walking surface when the stairway is in use.

The above requirements are considered by the electrical design engineer when creating the lighting pages of the plans. The number of luminaires in each area of a building, luminaire specifications including illumination level, spacing, and mounting height are all factors considered when the plans are drawn. Following the plans ensures that the final amount of illumination required along the walking surface of the means of egress complies with the building code. Installing less luminaires than what is shown on the plans or installing the luminaires higher up the wall than shown on the plans will result in less illumination at the walking surface of the means of egress and a red tag from the inspector.

“Means of egress” is a term used in the NEC^® but not defined in the NEC^®. To know what the Means of Egress is, one must look to either Section 3.3.178 in NFPA 101 Life Safety Code or Chapter 2 Definitions in the IBC.

According to NFPA 101 Section 3.3.178, the “means of egress” is a continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way consisting of three separate and distinct parts:

(1) the exit access

(2) the exit

(3) the exit discharge.

As defined in Chapter 2 of the IBC, a means of egress is as follows:

A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct parts:

the exit access, the exit and the exit discharge.

According to IBC 1008.2, the means of egress serving a room or space shall be illuminated at all times that the room or space is occupied.

Exceptions:

1. Occupancies in Group U.
2. Aisle accessways in Group A.
3. Dwelling units and sleeping units in Groups R-1, R-2 and R-3.
4. Sleeping units of Group I occupancies.

Basically, the means of egress always requires illumination when the room or space is occupied. This requirement is triggered when the room or space has occupants, not when the room or space has lost normal power. Anytime a room or space is occupied, even under normal power conditions, the occupants in the room or space should be able to see to find an exit and have safe egress.

NEC 700.16(A) states the following: Emergency illumination shall include means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other luminaires specified as necessary to provide required illumination.

Since emergency illumination includes means of egress lighting, according to the NEC^®, Article 700 is not just about those types of emergency luminaires that only energize upon loss of normal power but it also applies to lighting required in the means of egress when the building is occupied and utility power is present.

Below is a preview of the NEC^® (NFPA 70). See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the edition of the NEC^® being enforced.

NEC 700.16(A) General. Emergency illumination shall include means of egress lighting, illuminated exit signs, and all other luminaires specified as necessary to provide required illumination.