Does my Building Require the Installation of Luminous Egress Path Markings?
As more and more states adopt the International Building and Fire Codes it is crucial for local building officials, architects and contractors to stay up to date on what is required both locally and according to these international code compliance guides.
As a relatively new addition, luminous egress path markings are required by IFC/IBC sections 1024 and 1024. But are these photoluminescent emergency lighting systems required in every building?
This blog post will provide a brief breakdown of where luminous egress path markings are required in order to comply with IFC/IBC regulations and to provide a safe evacuation of residents and occupants in emergency conditions, potentially saving lives in the process.
What Buildings are Luminous Egress Path Markings Required in?
According to IFC/IBC 2018, approved luminous egress path markings shall be installed in new and existing high-rise buildings of Groups A,B,E I-1 or R-1 occupancies.
Does your building fall under one of these occupancy groups?
Group A Occupancy- Assembly
Group A buildings are dedicated for gathering with the purposes of civic, social, religious, recreation, food/drink consumption or waiting for transportation.
Some examples of Group A buildings requiring the installation of luminous egress path markings are, but not limited to:
- Theatres
- Banquet Halls
- Restaurants
- Museums and galleries
- Community buildings
- Court houses
- Arenas and Stadiums
Group B Occupancy- Business
Buildings that function as an office, or professional or service type transaction are classified as Group B occupancy, and require the installation of luminous egress path markings.
Some examples of buildings included in occupancy group B are, but not limited to:
- Ambulatory Care Facilities
- Animal Hospital
- Banks
- Baber and beauty shops
- Civic administration
- Educational occupancies above 12th grade
- Food processing and commercial kitchens
- Laboratories used for testing and research
- Professional services including architects, attorneys, dentists, physicians
Group E Occupancy: Educational
These are buildings used for 6 or more persons at a time for educational purposes, through the 12th grade. Note this group also includes day care facilities for more than five children older than 2 ½ years who receive educational, supervision or personal care services for less than 24 hours per day. Please note there are exceptions.
Group I Occupancy-1: Institutional
Buildings in the group I occupancy include facilities for which care or supervision is provided to people who are not capable of it on their own or facilities housing those who are detained for penal or correctional facilities.
Group I-1 includes building, structure or space used by 16 or more people, excluding staff, who resided on a 24-hour basis within a supervised environment and receive custodial care.
Some examples of I-1 facilities requiring the installation of luminous egress path include, but are not limited to:
- Alcohol and drug centers
- Assisted living facilities
- Group Homes
- Halfway houses
- Residential board and care facilities
- Social rehabilitation facilities
Note these buildings can be classified as group I-1 Condition 1 or Condition 2, but both require the installation of luminous egress path markings.
Group M Occupancy: Mercantile
Group M occupancy facilities involve the display and sale of merchandise as well as stocking goods. Group M buildings are accessible to the public and require the installation of photoluminescent egress path markings.
Some examples of Group M facilities include, but are not limited to:
- Department stores
- Drug stores
- Markets
- Retail or wholesale stores
- Sales rooms
Group R-1 Occupancy: Residential
Group R buildings are intended for sleeping purposes when not classified as a Group I building.
Group R-1 buildings are intended for sleeping units which are primarily transient in nature, and require the installation of photoluminescent egress path markings.
Examples of buildings in this group include, but are not limited to:
- Hotels and motels
- Transient boarding houses with more than 10 occupants
- Transient congregate living facilities with more than 10 occupants
Still unsure if your building requires the installation of luminous egress path markings? Ecoglo®’s local representatives are code compliance experts and are happy to provide you with a FREE building audit and a detailed quote outlining everything you need to bring your building up to code!