Building codes across the country require emergency lighting controls in nonresidential buildings to keep occupants safe during a utility outage, fire or power failure. Emergency lighting illuminates pathways out of a building and facilitates the evacuation of a building to reduce the panic and stress of the building’s occupants.
Building code requirements like International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA Life Safety requirements, outline the types of emergency devices, control panels and placement for installation. Several years ago, the National Electric Code (NEC) was updated to define two classes of devices which allow emergency lighting to be switched or dimmed during normal operation and brought to full brightness during an emergency operation.
UL924 Automatic Load Control Relays (ALCR)
Emergency lighting controlled by ALCRs must always be fed by the emergency power source. The ALCR cannot transfer between power sources. The switching device may be on the normal or emergency circuit, provided that no transfer of power takes place.
UL1008 Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS)
Emergency lighting controlled by ATSs may be fed by the normal power source during normal operation, and the emergency power source during emergency operation. The ATS may transfer between power sources.
This key component to a building’s life safety system is rigorously enforced and is vital for building owners and facility managers to understand, implement and ensure its functionality.
