The NFPA?
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a global nonprofit organization, which was established in 1896 to combat death, injury, property and economic loss resulting from electrical fire hazards. The 300 codes and standards they have designed help prevent the potential risks and effects of fire in buildings, especially hazardous industrial facilities.
The Life Safety Code
One of the NFPA’s many codes is the Life Safety Code (LSC), also known as “NFPA 101”, which is a “model code” – the most widely used code to protect people from the effects of fire and related hazards. It is the only document that covers safety in both new and existing structures, and addresses mainly “…those construction, protection, and occupancy features necessary to minimize danger to life from the effects of fire, including smoke, heat, and toxic gases created during a fire.” (1.1.2, NFPA 101).
It is important to note that the LSC is not legal code, so make sure to check with your local code enforcement agency for the most accurate information on local code requirements.
Why the is LSC Important
The need for the LSC is apparent, given the deadly building fires in our history that influenced and shaped the LSC’s fire safety codes.
The LSC mainly covers requirements for emergency lighting, which is a necessary component to provide a reasonable degree of safety from fire.
The LSC Code for Emergency Lighting
The LSC lays out a variety of regulations for emergency lighting, covering system performance, testing, and illumination, among other requirements. This code applies to both new and existing structures. It also applies to vehicles, vessels or other similar conveyances, which are treated as buildings.
System Performance
The emergency lighting system must be set up to provide the required illumination automatically, in the event of the following:
- The failure of public utility or other outside electrical power supply
- The intentional opening of a fuse or circuit breaker
- The accidental opening of a switch controlling normal lighting facilities
In the event that emergency lighting systems need to be used, a variety of regulations are required, per the LSC:
- The emergency illumination provided must run for a minimum of 1.5 hours
- The initial illumination must be at least 1 foot candle, and no less than 0.1 foot candles at any point, measured along the exit path at floor level.
- Illumination levels may not decline less than an average of 0.6 foot candles and no less than 0.06 foot candles at the end of 1.5 hours.
- The maximum-to-minimum illumination cannot exceed a ratio of 40 to 1.
- If maintenance of illumination depends upon changing from one energy source to another, no more than a 10 second delay is permitted.
- Equipment and battery systems for emergency lighting must be listed to ANSI/UL 924 standard, per NFPA 110, Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment.
- Any existing battery-operated emergency lights must contain reliable rechargeable batteries and be maintained in properly charged condition, and be compliant with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
- Emergency generators providing power to emergency lighting systems must be installed, tested, and maintained in accordance with NFPA 110.
- Stored electrical energy systems, other than battery systems for emergency luminaires must be installed and tested in accordance with NFPA 111, Standard on Stored Electrical Energy Emergency and Standby Power Systems.
- The emergency lighting system must be continuously in operation or capable of repeating automatic operation without any manual intervention.
When a new power system is installed for emergency lighting purposes it must be at least Type 10, Class 1.5, Level 1, in accordance with NFPA 110.
Type is the maximum time in seconds the system will permit the load terminals of the transfer switch to be without power. Type 10 is a 10 second limit.
Class refers to the minimum time in hours the system is designed to operate at its rated load without refueling or recharging, which is 1.5 hours per the LSC.
There are two levels, which recognize system installation, performance and maintenance. Level 1 is an emergency system that much be installed to take over, where the event of equipment failure could result in loss of life or serious injuries.
Emergency Lighting Testing
Emergency lighting systems must be tested in accordance to one of three options: functional testing, self-testing/self-diagnostics, or computer based self-testing/self-diagnostics.
Functional Testing:
This type of testing must be conducted monthly with a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 5 weeks between tests; this may be extended with the approval of authority having jurisdiction. Tests may not last less than 30 seconds unless otherwise permitted.
If the system is battery powered, testing must be conducted once every year for at least 1.5 hours.
Self-Testing/Self-Diagnostic:
Self-testing/self-diagnostic battery-operated emergency lighting equipment must automatically perform a test for at least 30 seconds, as well as a diagnostic routine. This system must indicate failures with a status indicator, and visual inspections must be performed at least every 30 days.
Computer-Based, Self-Testing/Self-Diagnostic:
Battery operated emergency lighting equipment must perform an automatic test once every 30 days, for a minimum of 30 seconds with the addition of a diagnostic test. An additional 1.5 hour test must be automatically done every year.
The emergency lighting equipment in all three testing methods must remain fully operational for the duration of the testing, and written records of visual inspections and tests must be kept by the owner for inspection.
Emergency Exists & Directional Signs
Emergency exit signs and directional signs that are either self-illuminated, or illuminated by other emergency lighting have several safety requirements.
These signs must be properly marker, mounted and readily visible from any direction of exit access.
Visibility
Every sign must be readily visible, requiring the correct size, a distinctive color and design, to make it stand out from surrounding decorations, interior finish, or other signs. These signs must remain unblocked by other objects.
Power Source
The level of illumination of these emergency lighting signs, other than approved self-luminous signs and listed photoluminescent signs, must be:
- Provided for a minimum of 1.5 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting.
- Initial illumination must not be less than an average of 1 foot candle and no less than 0.1 foot candles at any point, measured along the path of egress at floor level.
- Illumination levels may not be less than an average of 0.6 foot candles (6.5 lux) and no less than 0.06 foot candles at the end of 1.5 hours.
- The maximum-to-minimum illumination cannot exceed a ratio of 40 to 1.
- The level of illumination may only decline up to 60 percent at the end of the emergency lighting duration.
Illumination of Signs
External and internal signs that need to be illuminated, and do not exist in areas or processes that require low lighting levels, must be illuminated by a reliable source and visible both in normal and emergency lighting modes.
Externally illuminated signs must be illuminated no less than 5 foot candles at the illuminated surface, and have a contrast ratio that is no less than 0.5 foot candles.
Internally illuminated signs must be listed in accordance with ANSI/UL 924, unless they meet LSC provided criteria.
Photoluminescent Signs
Photoluminescent signs must continually be illuminated while the building is occupied. The illumination levels on the face of the sign must be in accordance with that unit’s listing.
Illumination
The minimum illumination along an escape pathway must be 0.2 foot candles, except as otherwise provided. Illumination of an escape pathway is not required in normally unoccupied building service equipment support areas where emergency lighting is not required.
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