Section 1008
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
MEANS OF EGRESS ILLUMINATION
[BE] 1008.1 Means of egress illumination. Illumination shall be provided in the means of egress in accordance with Section 1008.2. Under emergency power, means of egress illumination shall comply with Section 1008.3.
[BE] 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:
Occupancies in Group U.
Aisle accessways in Group A.
Dwelling units and sleeping units in Groups R-1, R-2 and R-3.
Sleeping units of Group I , R-2.1 and R-4 occupancies.
[BE] 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.
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:
Externally illuminated walking surfaces shall be permitted to be illuminated to not less than 0.2 footcandle (2.15 lux).
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.
[BE] 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 1010.6.1, 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).
[BE] 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:
The path of exit discharge is illuminated from the exit to a safe dispersal area complying with Section 1028.5.
A dispersal area shall be illuminated to a level not less than 1 footcandle (11 lux) at the walking surface.
[BE] 1008.3 Emergency power for illumination. The power supply for means of egress illumination shall normally be provided by the premises’ electrical supply.
[BE] 1008.3.1 General. In the event of power supply failure in rooms and spaces that require two or more means of egress an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
Aisles.
Corridors.
Exit access stairways and ramps.
[BE] 1008.3.2 Buildings. In the event of power supply failure, in buildings that require two or more means of egress, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
Interior exit access stairways and ramps
Interior and exterior exit stairways and ramps.
236 2019 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE
Copyright © 2019 ICC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Accessed by Kevin Day (kevin.day@dgs.ca.gov), (California Building Standards Commission) Order Number #100735044 on Jul 24, 2019 03:54 PM (PDT) pursuant to License Agreement with ICC. No further reproduction or distribution authorized. Single user only, copying and networking prohibited. ANY UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTION IS A VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL COPYRIGHT ACT AND THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, AND SUBJECT TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES THEREUNDER.
100735044
MEANS OF EGRESS
ments of Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code, as applicable.
Exceptions:
One accessible means of egress is required from an accessible mezzanine level in accordance with Section 1009.3, 1009.4 or 1009.5 , and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
In assembly areas with ramped aisles or stepped aisles, one accessible means of egress is permitted where the common path of travel is accessible and meets the requirements in Section 1029.8 , and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
[BE] 1009.2 Continuity and components. Each required accessible means of egress shall be continuous to a public way and shall consist of one or more of the following components:
Accessible routes complying with Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code .
Interior exit stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1023 of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
Exit access stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1019.3 or 1019.4 of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
Exterior exit stairways complying with Sections 1009.3 and 1027 and serving levels other than the level of exit discharge of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
Elevators complying with Section 1009.4 of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
Platform lifts complying with Section 1009.5 of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Build- ing Code.
Horizontal exits complying with Section 1026.
Ramps complying with Section 1012 of this code and Chapter 11A or 11B of the California Building Code.
Areas of refuge complying with Section 1009.6.
Exterior areas for assisted rescue complying with Section 1009.7 serving exits at the level of exit discharge.
[BE] 1009.2.1 Elevators required. In buildings where a required accessible floor is four or more stories above or below a level of exit discharge, not less than one required accessible means of egress shall be an elevator complying with Section 1009.4.
Exceptions:
In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the elevator shall not be required on floors provided with a horizontal exit and located at or above the levels of exit discharge.
Exit passageways.
Vestibules and areas on the level of discharge used for exit discharge in accordance with Section 1028.1.
Exterior landings as required by Section 1010.1.6 for exit doorways that lead directly to the exit discharge.
6. Group I-2 and I-2.1 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.
[BE] 1008.3.3 Rooms and spaces. In the event of power supply failure, an emergency electrical system shall automatically illuminate all of the following areas:
Electrical equipment rooms.
Fire command centers.
Fire pump rooms.
Generator rooms.
Public restrooms with an area greater than 300 square feet (27.87 m 2 ).
[BE] 1008.3.4 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 of the California Building Code .
[BE] 1008.3.5 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 foot-candle (2.2 lux).
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