Night Lighting laws?
Night Lighting laws?
(OP)
I was wondering if anybody knows of any laws governing the placement of night lights in a building (NFPA, ASHRAE 90.1, NEC). We tend to put all of our night lighting on a lock out breaker with our emergency lighting, however, our customer is wanting us to put half of the store on the night light circuit and have them run all of the time. I am worried that ASHRAE 90.1 reguirements will restrict this use of power use. What would be to stop me from putting things on a Night Light circuit to get around other code requirements? I am aware of the cost to own implications.
Thanks as always,
Jason
Thanks as always,
Jason






RE: Night Lighting laws?
Ashrae deals with only w/sf (power density) not watts-hr consumed. So Ashrae has nothing to do with how long you keep the lights on.
RE: Night Lighting laws?
RE: Night Lighting laws?
RE: Night Lighting laws?
RE: Night Lighting laws?
Thanks,
Jason
RE: Night Lighting laws?
I don't know where you are but I don't think ASHRAE has anything to do with night lighting or lighting at all for that matter.
Most states have energy codes that goverern lighting loads. Heres a typical one.
http://www.energy.state.or.us/
The code allows wattage per square foot based on occupancy type.
Emergency exit lighting are covered by the NFPA, if adopted by the local jurisdiction.
Night lights can be anything you want, it's a matter of switching. You can have two levels of nightlights, one for cleaning and restocking and one for security.
Good engineering practice is to do what's required by law ( exit lighting ) and what your client wants, they are after all operating the place and they know what they want.
RE: Night Lighting laws?
RE: Night Lighting laws?
My heart is not easly broken.
I deal with the energy code in three states (California is one) . ASHRAE 90.1 is in effect but is invisable. The requirements are reflected in the state energy code. You have to follow the state guidelines for wattage and controls.
The states energy dept has handy forms you fill out to verify your design meets the state codes. Having done so the local plans examiner will issue you a building permit based on you having complied with state rules. People who think ASHRAE is a town in Bangladesh do it all the time.
RE: Night Lighting laws?
If you ask me real nice, I might even look up the exact quote for you -- but I'd strongly suggest that you look it up for yourselves as it is quickly being adopted into law all over the country. Illinois just signed it into state law last August or so.
And for all you that think ASHRAE has nothing to do with lighting, lighting controls, or power -- better get a more recent copy of ASHRAE 90.1. You'll find quite a few new eye-popping requirements in there that relate directly to both electrical and architectural in addition to mechanical.
RE: Night Lighting laws?
And despite my strong belief in energy codes, I think its a darn good thing that people are allowed to turn their lights on whenever they please. I'd be pissed off if some bureaucrat told me when I had to turn my lights off. They can make me put in automatic controls -- I'm cool with that. But they start telling me "lights off at 8pm" and I'd be upset.
I'd be just as upset with my consulting engineer if he told me that I HAD to shut off my lights too. He could recommend it -- cool. But you're going a little too far if you're telling your client that he MUST shut his lights off at night.
RE: Night Lighting laws?