Code Requirements

Careful consideration has been given to the importance of emergency lighting. Many federal, state and local codes require reliable and sufficient emergency lighting for all commercial, industrial and institutional buildings in the United States as part of the conditions for a Certificate of Occupancy.

 
Summary of Requirements

Emergency lighting is required throughout the path of egress and must operate for a minimum of 90 minutes. Stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, escalators and passageways leading to safety must be continuously illuminated for a minimum of 90 minutes. Philips Bodine fluorescent emergency ballasts' illumination times exceed the National Electrical Code®, Life Safety Code® and UL 90-minute requirements. For codes requiring longer illumination times, Philips Emergency Lighting offers UL Listed models with two- and four-hour extended runtimes.
 
Emergency lighting transfer must be automatic. Transfer of emergency lighting must be automatic (within 10 seconds) of loss of the normal lighting supply power. Philips Bodine fluorescent emergency ballasts provide instant backup lighting when the normal supply of power fails.
 
Emergency lighting must provide an average of 1 footcandle initial illumination. Emergency lighting facilities must provide initial illumination that is no less than an average of 1 footcandle (10 lx) and a minimum at any point of 0.1 footcandle (1 lx) measured along the path of egress at floor level. A maximum-to-minimum illumination uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded to minimize dark-to-bright spots. Proper placement of Philips Bodine fluorescent emergency ballasts will ensure code compliance.
 
Changes in direction must be clearly marked. Changes in direction or routes that are not immediately apparent must be clearly marked. Specifying Philips Bodine fluorescent emergency ballasts in addition to other unit equipment ensures an adequate level of safety results.

See the The Importance of Applying Emergency Lighting .

UL Testing & Code Compliance
Philips Bodine fluorescent emergency ballasts are tested by Underwriters Laboratories in accordance with the standards set forth in UL924, "Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment." Products are UL Listed for factory installation or field retrofit or UL Component Recognized for factory installation only. Emergency illumination time exceeds the National Electrical Code®, Life Safety Code® and UL 90-minute requirements.

Please Note:
Special conditions may apply to certain facilities. See National Electrical Code® (NFPA 70®), Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101®) and local codes for complete details.