Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) Section 3.3.151 Means of Egress:
A continuous and unobstructed way of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public way consisting of three separate and distinct parts: (1) the exit access, (2) the exit, and (3) the exit discharge.

Section 3.3.193 Public Way:
A street, alley, or other similar parcel of land essentially open to the outside air deeded, dedicated, or otherwise permanently appropriated to the public for public use and having a clear width and height of not less than 10 ft (3050 mm).

Section 7.9 Emergency Lighting: 7.9.1.2 exit discharge shall include only designated stairs, ramps, aisles, walkways, and escalators leading to a public way. Section 7.9.2 Performance of System: 7.9.2.1 Emergency illumination shall be provided for not less than 1-1/ 2 hours in the event of failure of normal lighting. Emergency lighting facilities shall be arranged to provide initial illumination that is not less than an average of 1 ft-candle (10.8 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.1 ft-candle (1.1 lux), measured along the path of egress at floor level. Illumination levels shall be permitted to decline to not less than an average of 0.6 ft-candle (6.5 lux) and, at any point, not less than 0.06 ft-candle (0.65 lux) at the end of the 1-1/ 2 hours. A maximum-to-minimum illumination uniformity ratio of 40 to 1 shall not be exceeded.

Since exit discharge is one of the three components defined as the means of egress per 3.3.151 of the Life Safety Code and since 7.9.1.2 also includes exit discharge, many authorities having jurisdiction have concluded that the lighting levels of 7.9.2 apply in full.


Note: Variations may exist depending upon the interpretation of codes in your area. Lithonia Lighting One Lithonia Way, Conyers, GA 30012 Phone 800 279-8041, Fax 770 918-1209 www.lithonia.com Reprinted with permission from NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 2006 Edition. National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Massachusetts 02269. This reprinted material is not the complete and official position of the NFPA on the referenced subject, which is represented only by the standard in its entirety.