Subject: FYI EmergencyLighting
To All Interested Parties,
We have made a recent change to our policy regarding the submittal of plans for building permits in those occupancies requireing emergency lighting. Please see the attached notice for details and consult the Florida Fire Prevention Code in the NFPA 101 chapter for details regarding required emergency lighting for specific occupancies.
Please note that these changes only concern required emergency lighting systems. There are a few exceptions where emergency lighting is not required in some occupancies.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Gagliano, Lt.
Miami Dade Fire Engineering
786-315-2776
FIRE ENGINEERING & WATER SUPPLY BUREAU
11805 S.W. 26th Street, Miami, Florida 33175
TELEPHONE (786) 315-2771
NOTICE
Effective immediately, all new applications for building permits for occupancies that require emergency lighting will be required to submit photometric drawings and calculations showing compliance with the provisions of the Florida Fire Prevention Code.
The Florida Fire Prevention Code, NFPA 1 4-7.1, and NFPA 101 7.9 and Chapters 11 through 42 govern the requirements and performance of emergency lighting. Due to the complex nature of applied photometrics and the effect of fixtures and furnishings in various occupancies on the effectiveness of emergency lighting systems, the Miami Dade County Fire Rescue, Fire Engineering and Water Supply Bureau will now require photometric drawings and calculations for required emergency lighting systems, indicating compliance with the applicable sections of the Florida Fire Prevention Code for emergency lighting.
The applicable sections of the Code are as follows:
NFPA 1
4-7* Emergency Lighting.
4-7.1
Emergency lighting facilities for means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 7.9 of NFPA 101 for the following:
(1) Buildings or structures where required in Chapters 11 through 42 of NFPA 101
(2) Underground and windowless structures as addressed in Section 11.7 of NFPA 101
(3) High-rise buildings as required by other sections of this Code
(4) Doors equipped with delayed egress locks
(5) The stair shaft and vestibule of smokeproof enclosures, which shall be permitted to include a standby generator that is installed for the smokeproof enclosure mechanical ventilation equipment and used for the stair shaft and vestibule emergency lighting power supply
For the purposes of this requirement, exit access shall include only designated stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators, and passageways leading to an exit. For the purposes of this requirement, exit discharge shall include only designated stairs, ramps, aisles, walkways, and escalators leading to a public way. (101:7.9.1.1)
NFPA 101
7.9 EMERGENCY LIGHTING
7.9.1 General.
7.9.1.1*
Emergency lighting facilities for means of egress shall be provided in accordance with Section 7.9 for the following:
(1) Buildings or structures where required in Chapters 11 through 42
(2) Underground and windowless structures as addressed in Section 11.7
(3) High-rise buildings as required by other sections of this Code
(4) Doors equipped with delayed egress locks
(5) The stair shaft and vestibule of smokeproof enclosures, which shall be permitted to include a standby generator that is installed for the smokeproof enclosure mechanical ventilation equipment and used for the stair shaft and vestibule emergency lighting power supply
For the purposes of this requirement, exit access shall include only designated stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators, and passageways leading to an exit. For the purposes of this requirement, exit discharge shall include only designated stairs, ramps, aisles, walkways, and escalators leading to a public way.
7.9.1.2
Where maintenance of illumination depends on changing from one energy source to another, a delay of not more than 10 seconds shall be permitted.
7.9.2 Performance of System.
7.9.2.1*
Emergency illumination shall be provided for not less than 11/2 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting. Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less than an average of 1 ft-candle (10 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.1 ft-candle (1 lux), measured along the path of egress at floor level. Illumination levels shall be permitted to decline to not less than an average of 0.6 ft-candle (6 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.06 ft-candle (0.6 lux) at the end of the 11/2 hours. A maximum-to-minimum illumination uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.
7.9.2.2*
The emergency lighting system shall be arranged to provide the required illumination automatically in the event of any of the following:
(1) Interruption of normal lighting such as any failure of a public utility or other outside electrical power supply
(2) Opening of a circuit breaker or fuse
(3) Manual act(s), including accidental opening of a switch controlling normal lighting facilities.
The individual chapters of NFPA 101 regarding the requirement for emergency lighting for each type of occupancy are listed below:
Special Structures and High-Rise 11.2.2.9; 11.3.2.9; 11.4.2.9; 11.8.4
Assembly 12.2.9; 13.2.9
Educational 14.2.9; 15.2.9
Day Care 16.2.9; 17.2.9
Health Care 18.2.9; 19.2.9
Ambulatory Health Care 20.2.9; 21.2.9
Detention and Correctional 22.2.9; 23.2.9
Hotels and Dormitories 28.2.9; 29.2.9
Apartments 30.2.9; 31.2.9
Residential Board and Care 32.3.2.9; 33.3.2.9
Mercantile 36.2.9; 36.4.4.2.6; 37.2.9; 37.4.4.2.6
Business 38.2.9; 39.2.9
Industrial 40.2.9
Storage 42.8.2.9
Consult these sections for occupancy specific application and any allowable exceptions.