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Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS

Section 1008 — MEANS OF EGRESS ILLUMINATION

2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2) · 2025 edition · updated 2026-07-29 · California

Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.

1008.1 Means of egress illumination.

Illumination shall be provided in the means of egress in accordance with Section 1008.2. In the event of power supply failure, means of egress illumination shall comply with Section 1008.2.4.

1008.2 Illumination required.

The means of egress serving a room or space shall be illuminated at all times that the room or space is occupied.

Exceptions:

  1. Occupancies in Group U.
  2. Self-service storage units 400 square feet (37.2 m [2] ) or less in area and accessed directly from the exterior of the building.
  3. Aisle accessways in Group A.
  4. Dwelling units and sleeping units in Groups R-1, R-2 and R-3.
  5. Sleeping units of Group I, R-2.1 and R-4 occupancies.

1008.2.1 Illumination level under normal power. The means of egress illumination level shall be not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface. Along exit access stairways, exit stairways and at their required landings, the illumination level shall not be less than 10 footcandles (108 lux) at the walking surface when the stairway is in use.

Exception: For auditoriums, theaters, concert or opera halls and similar assembly occupancies, the illumination at the walking surface is permitted to be reduced during performances by one of the following methods provided that the required illumination is automatically restored upon activation of a premises’ fire alarm system:

  1. Externally illuminated walking surfaces shall be permitted to be illuminated to not less than 0.2 footcandle (2.15 lux).

10-14 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

MEANS OF EGRESS

  1. Steps, landings and the sides of ramps shall be permitted to be marked with self-luminous materials in accordance with Sections 1025.2.1, 1025.2.2 and 1025.2.4 by systems listed in accordance with UL 1994.

1008.2.2 Group I-2. In Group I-2 occupancies where two or more exits are required, on the exterior landings required by Section 1010.1.5, means of egress illumination levels for the exit discharge shall be provided such that failure of a single lamp in a luminaire shall not reduce the illumination level on that landing to less than 1 footcandle (11 lux).

1008.2.3 Exit discharge. Illumination shall be provided along the path of travel for the exit discharge from each exit to the public

way.

Exception: Illumination shall not be required where the path of the exit discharge meets both of the following requirements:

  1. The path of exit discharge is illuminated from the exit to a safe dispersal area complying with Section 1028.5.
  2. A dispersal area shall be illuminated to a level not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface.

1008.2.4 Power for illumination. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply.

1008.3 Illumination required by an emergency electrical system.

An emergency electrical system shall be provided to automatically illuminate the following areas in the event of a power supply failure:

  1. In rooms or spaces that require two or more exits or access to exits:

1.1. Aisles.

1.2. Corridors.

1.3. Exit access stairways and ramps. 2. In buildings that require two or more exits or access to exits: 2.1. Interior exit access stairways and ramps. 2.2. Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.

2.3. Exit passageways. 2.4. Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.2. 2.5. Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.5 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge. 2.6. Group I-2 exit discharge stairways, ramps, aisles, walkways and escalators leading to a public way or to a safe disper- sal area in accordance with Section 1028.5.

  1. In other rooms and spaces: 3.1. Electrical equipment rooms.

3.2. Fire command centers.

3.3. Fire pump rooms.

3.4. Generator rooms.

3.5. Public restrooms with an area greater than 300 square feet (27.87 m [2] ). 4. Group I-2 exit discharge stairways, ramps, aisles, walkways and escalators leading to a public way or to a safe dispersal area in accordance with Section 1028.5.

1008.3.1 Duration. The emergency power system shall provide power for a duration of not less than 90 minutes and shall consist of storage batteries, unit equipment or an on-site generator. The installation of the emergency power system shall be in accordance with Section 2702.

1008.3.2 Illumination level under emergency power. Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less than an average of 1 footcandle (11 lux) and a minimum at any point of 0.1 footcandle (1 lux) measured along the path of egress at floor level. Illumination levels shall be permitted to decline to 0.6 footcandle (6 lux) average and a minimum at any point of 0.06 footcandle (0.6 lux) at the end of the emergency lighting time duration. A maximum-to-minimum illumination uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded. In Group I-2 occupancies, failure of a single lamp in a luminaire shall not reduce the illumination level to less than 0.2 footcandle (2.2 lux).

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▸ Contents — 2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
2025 California Building Code (Title 24, Part 2)
  1. Chapter 1 — ADMINISTRATION
  2. Chapter 2 — DEFINITIONS
  3. Chapter 3 — OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION AND USE
  4. Chapter 4 — SPECIAL DETAILED REQUIREMENTS BASED ON OCCUPANCY A…
  5. Chapter 5 — GENERAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AND AREAS
  6. Chapter 6 — TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION
  7. Chapter 7 — FIRE AND SMOKE PROTECTION FEATURES
  8. Chapter 7A — MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR EXTERIOR W…
  9. Chapter 8 — INTERIOR FINISHES
  10. Chapter 9 — FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY SYSTEMS
  11. ▸ Chapter 10 — MEANS OF EGRESS
    Overview
    1. Section 1001 — ADMINISTRATION
    2. Section 1002 — MAINTENANCE AND PLANS
    3. Section 1003 — GENERAL MEANS OF EGRESS
    4. Section 1004 — OCCUPANT LOAD
    5. Section 1005 — MEANS OF EGRESS SIZING
    6. Section 1006 — NUMBER OF EXITS AND EXIT ACCESS DOORWAYS
    7. Section 1007 — EXIT AND EXIT ACCESS DOORWAY CONFIGURATION
    8. Section 1008 — MEANS OF EGRESS ILLUMINATION
    9. Section 1009 — ACCESSIBLE MEANS OF EGRESS
    10. Section 1010 — DOORS, GATES AND TURNSTILES
    11. Section 1011 — STAIRWAYS
    12. Section 1012 — RAMPS
    13. Section 1013 — EXIT SIGNS
    14. Section 1014 — HANDRAILS
    15. Section 1015 — GUARDS
    16. Section 1016 — EXIT ACCESS
    17. Section 1017 — EXIT ACCESS TRAVEL DISTANCE
    18. Section 1018 — AISLES
    19. Section 1019 — EXIT ACCESS STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    20. Section 1020 — CORRIDORS
    21. Section 1021 — EGRESS BALCONIES
    22. Section 1022 — EXITS
    23. Section 1023 — INTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    24. Section 1024 — EXIT PASSAGEWAYS
    25. Section 1025 — LUMINOUS EGRESS PATH MARKINGS
    26. Section 1026 — HORIZONTAL EXITS
    27. Section 1027 — EXTERIOR EXIT STAIRWAYS AND RAMPS
    28. Section 1028 — EXIT DISCHARGE
    29. Section 1029 — EGRESS COURTS
    30. Section 1030 — ASSEMBLY
    31. Section 1031 — EMERGENCY ESCAPE AND RESCUE
  12. Chapter 11 — RESERVED
  13. Chapter 11A — HOUSING ACCESSIBILITY
  14. Chapter 11B — ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC BUILDINGS, PUBLIC ACCOMM…
  15. Chapter 12 — INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT
  16. Chapter 13 — ENERGY EFFICIENCY
  17. Chapter 14 — EXTERIOR WALLS
  18. Chapter 15 — ROOF ASSEMBLIES AND ROOFTOP STRUCTURES
  19. Chapter 16 — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  20. Chapter 16A — STRUCTURAL DESIGN
  21. Chapter 17 — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  22. Chapter 17A — SPECIAL INSPECTIONS AND TESTS
  23. Chapter 18 — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  24. Chapter 18A — SOILS AND FOUNDATIONS
  25. Chapter 19 — CONCRETE
  26. Chapter 19A — CONCRETE
  27. Chapter 20 — ALUMINUM
  28. Chapter 21 — MASONRY
  29. Chapter 21A — MASONRY
  30. Chapter 22 — STEEL
  31. Chapter 22A — STEEL
  32. Chapter 23 — WOOD
  33. Chapter 24 — GLASS AND GLAZING
  34. Chapter 25 — GYPSUM PANEL PRODUCTS AND PLASTER
  35. Chapter 26 — PLASTIC
  36. Chapter 27 — ELECTRICAL
  37. Chapter 28 — MECHANICAL SYSTEMS
  38. Chapter 29 — PLUMBING SYSTEMS
  39. Chapter 30 — ELEVATORS AND CONVEYING SYSTEMS
  40. Chapter 31 — SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
  41. Chapter 31A — SYSTEMS FOR WINDOW CLEANING OR EXTERIOR BUILDING…
  42. Chapter 31B — PUBLIC POOLS
  43. Chapter 31C — RADIATION
  44. Chapter 31D — FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS
  45. Chapter 31F — MARINE OIL TERMINALS
  46. Chapter 32 — ENCROACHMENTS INTO THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
  47. Chapter 33 — SAFEGUARDS DURING CONSTRUCTION
  48. Chapter 34 — RESERVED
  49. Chapter 35 — REFERENCED STANDARDS
  50. Appendix A — EMPLOYEE QUALIFICATIONS
  51. Appendix B — BOARD OF APPEALS
  52. Appendix C — GROUP U—AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS
  53. Appendix D — FIRE DISTRICTS
  54. Appendix E — RESERVED
  55. Appendix F — RODENTPROOFING
  56. Appendix G — FLOOD-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION
  57. Appendix H — SIGNS
  58. Appendix I — PATIO COVERS
  59. Appendix J — GRADING
  60. Appendix K — GROUP R-3 AND GROUP R-3.1 OCCUPANCIES PROTECTED B…
  61. Appendix L — EARTHQUAKE RECORDING INSTRUMENTATION
  62. Appendix M — TSUNAMI-GENERATED FLOOD HAZARDS
  63. Appendix N — REPLICABLE BUILDINGS
  64. Appendix O — PERFORMANCE-BASED APPLICATION
  65. Appendix P — SLEEPING LOFTS
  66. Appendix Q — EMERGENCY HOUSING

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