1008 Means of Egress Illumination — 2025 California Building Code

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.

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

MEANS OF EGRESS

2. 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.

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.

3. 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).