Is it legal to attach hallway lights to an exterior sunlight sensor
Hi Everyone, I am taking on a bunch of energy saving projects around the house and one idea hit me that I have never seen in use. I’d like to connect the hallway lights for my three family, three story walk-up house to a sunlight sensor so that the lights will automatically turn on and…
Hi Everyone,
I am taking on a bunch of energy saving projects around the house and one idea hit me that I have never seen in use. I’d like to connect the hallway lights for my three family, three story walk-up house to a sunlight sensor so that the lights will automatically turn on and off with the sun. Right now they are wired so that they are always on. Is there a legal/liability/insurance/DOB requirement that they remain on 24/7?
The code for commercial is that there has to be a very low level of illumination permanently and a motion sensor can be used to brighten up the lights. Practically, in a brownstone you could probably get away with one 7w CFL/stair level and whatever it takes to meet code the motion sensor kicks in. However, this is a fairly new rule, I believe.
Like every code or rule in this town, it is up to the interpretation of the authority having jurisdiction.
What’s the law regarding having hall or fire-stair lighting on motion sensors? It would save a lot of money if lighting, only used when occupied, in stairs or hallways lights with sensors could be automatically switched on and off to avoid wasting electricity. However, I don’t think the letter of the law permits this?
How do you “consent” to the extinguishing of a light?
Btw, if you are using CFL bulbs, note caveats here, since many sensors don’t work with CFLs but there’s a work-around:
http://seeinggreen.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/08/compact-fluorescents-ii.html
Awesome! So it looks like this is legit! Thanks for your help.
Fire stairs have doors to keep smoke out. Fire towers exit to the outdoors to keep smoke out. Often times in a high rise without a fire tower you will have stairwell pressurization. I imagine in a 3 family you have an exposed stairwell so disregard all of this as it doesn’t apply to you.
Thanks Bklyn Fire Alarm Guy. That was a big help.
My staircase is wooden and sprinkled. Its the only way up to the second and third floors. There is a skylight at the top and a window in the door at the bottom. It seems like I won’t be allowed to install the sensor because the stair case would count as a “fire stair”.
BFAG, can I bother you to explain what a “fire stair” is? I tried to look it up (Section 15-10) but I got lost after the second page in that section.
Here ya go:
Sec. [D26-19.03] 27-2038 Electric lighting fixtures in certain public parts of dwellings; fixtures and lights required
a. In every multiple dwelling and tenant-occupied two-family dwelling the owner shall provide electric lighting fixtures for every public hall, stair, fire stair and fire tower on every floor, in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) If an incandescent lighting fixture is provided, it shall be capable of providing illumination of at least ten watts per 25 square feet of floor-area or fraction thereof. Each lighting fixture shall he provided with one or more lights of a total of not less than 60 watts. Where, under this requirement, the number of watts per fixture would exceed 100, one or more additional fixtures shall be provided and shall be located as may be prescribed by the department, except where the distance from the fixture to the farthest intersecting wall does not exceed 20 feet.
(2) If a fluorescent lighting fixture is provided, it shall he capable of providing illumination of at least four watts cool white fluorescent light per 25 square feet of floor-area or fraction thereof. Each lighting fixture shall be provided with one or more lights of a total of not less than 20 watts. Where, under this requirement, the number of watts per fixture would exceed 40, one or more additional fixtures shall be provided and shall be located as may be prescribed by the department, except where the distance from the fixture to the farthest intersecting wall does not exceed 20 feet.
(3) In every multiple dwelling hereafter erected, in addition to other lighting requirements, a sufficient number of incandescent or fluorescent fixtures shall be provided so that the distance between fixtures is not more than 30 feet and so that no wall is more than 15 feet distant from a fixture.
b. The department may approve electric lighting for public halls, stairs, fire stairs and fire towers other than the incandescent and fluorescent lighting required in subdivision (a) of this section if such other method of electric lighting provides equivalent illumination, and meets the requirements of the electrical code.
c. Notwithstanding any other requirement of this section, the department may require fixtures to be so located, and additional fixtures to be installed, in order to assure that every part of every public hall, stair, fire stair or fire tower is adequately lighted.
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Sec. [D26-19.05] 27-2039 Lighting to be provided at night; owner’s responsibility
a. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall turn on all required lights in every public hall and stair at sunset every day and shall keep them on until sunrise the day following.
b. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall keep all required lights burning continuously (1) in every fire stair and fire tower; (2) in every stair and public hall where there is no window opening on a street, court, yard, space above a setback, or on a shaft; and (3) in every stair and public hall where there is a window which in the opinion of the department does not provide adequate natural light.
c. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall provide electric light at all hours of the day and night in rooms or spaces in multiple dwellings in which laundry equipment is provided for the common use of the occupants whenever natural light is insufficient in the opinion of the department.
d. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall install and maintain in working condition a lighting fixture that can be turned on by a tenant or by the mail carrier directly over a mail box or other receptacle for mail if the natural light in the public hall is not sufficient to read the names on each mail box or receptacle.
e. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall not be responsible if any required light becomes extinguished and remains so if such owner can show to the satisfaction of the department or the court that it became and remained extinguished without his or her knowledge or consent.