EMERGENCY LIGHTING CIRCUIT

[chicopee]

1996 NEC Article 700 states that emergency lighting circuits can not be used for appliances and lamps. Does that also mean that room lighting circuits must be independent of emergency lighting circuits? -- and if so, are the Massachusetts regulations allowing room lighting and emergency lights to be on the same circuits?

 

[dpc]

First of all, we've advanced up to the 2005 NEC, but maybe you're referencing the 1996 edition because that was in force when facility was built?

But more importantly, the NEC is not a legal document. It is only enforceable when adopted by states and local jurisdiction as part their building code. The states are free to modify certain requirements in the NEC and add/delete anything else they feel like, and many states, especially in the Northeast, do just that.

So, I have no idea what is in the MA code, but whatever it is, it trumps the NEC if the work in question is in MA.

Also, the local "authority having jurisdiction" (AHJ in NEC-speak) is free to interpret the NEC any way they want.

 

[mkinnes]

Are you talking about battery supplied lights or generator supplied ?

If your'e talking lights supplied from a battery when power is lost it is perfectly fine, in fact a good idea, to charge those from a local lighting circuit.

dpc in Massachusetts there is no such thing as local code as it in many areas of the country. Inspectors aren't allowed to make their own rules legally although many inspectors attempt to do just that.

 

[coconutalley]

Massachusetts has adopted the NEC 2005 but there are several amendments made by local jurisdictions.
They are now 14 States that has adopted the NEC see link:

http://aec.ihs.com/news-05Q3/nfpa-national-electric-code-adoption.jsp

I would follow the NEC 2005 but check with the Town inspector to see if the emergency lighting section was amended. Usually the amendment was made to allow alternative way to meeting a particular standard.