Week Two: Lighting Design Criteria

LIGHTING DESIGN CRITERIA: CODES
I. ELECTRICAL CODES
A. Safe use of electricity from wire to lighting
B. Requires lighting that is tested (and labeled) for safety, and for some wet, damp or other locations
C. Limits lighting choices for locations that may be hazardous (spas, closets, hazardous occupancies, etc.)
D. Limits high voltages for some locations, such as homes
E. Restricts some track and low-voltage systems for safety
II. BUILDING AND FIRE CODES
A. Requires emergency lighting for safe egress in commercial and industrial buildings
III. ENERGY CODES
A. REQUIRE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO SAVE ENERGY
B. PLACE POWER RESTRICTIONS ON NON-RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
C. ALSO FOR RESIDENTIAL IN CALIFORNIA
IV. ACCESSIBILITY CODES
A. ENSURE THAT BUILDINGS CAN BE USED BY ALL PERSONS
B. REQUIRES LIGHTING ALONG PATH OF TRAVEL, SUCH AS SCONCES, TO PROJECT 4” OR LESS, IF MOUNTED BELOW 80” OR ABOVE 15” FROM FLOOR
C. SWITCHES AND SOME OTHER ITEMS MUST BE INSTALLED AT SPECIFIC HEIGHTSFOR ACCESS BY WHEEL-CHAIR USERS AND OTHERS
V. HEALTH CODES
A. MAY REQUIRE MINIMUM LIGHT LEVELS AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS IN NURSING HOMES AND HOSPITALS
B. MAY REQUIRE PROTECTIVE COVERINGS FOR LIGHTING IN COMMERCIAL KITCHENS AND CAFETERIA LOCATIONS