Article #1566 - Lighting Control Requirements in the Newest Energy Codes -- What''s required in ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and 2006 IECC?

Revisions and additions in the newest versions of International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) (2006) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 (2004) will affect most new building designs. These requirements are mandatory and cannot be traded away, but options and exceptions are provided to meet the needs of various building and space types and activities. The requirements are categorized into two general areas: basic space control and automatic shutoff controls.

Basic space control lighting

The basic space control provisions require that each room or ceiling-height partitioned space have at least one control for the lighting that is generally available to occupants. The codes include exceptions for safety or security situations; the codes also allow for control from remote locations when adequately labeled. In addition, ASHRAE 90.1 limits the amount of building space that can be assigned to an individual control.

Additional control is required for some specific spaces and tasks. For example, both require that hotel and motel guest room lighting be controlled at room entry (IECC exempts bathroom lighting) and ASHRAE 90.1 requires additional separate control for accent, display case, task, nonvisual, and demonstration lighting.

Lighting controls: lights can be turned off when not needed.

The IECC also requires additional light reduction (bi-level) control in all areas requiring individual control with exceptions for spaces with occupancy sensors, corridors, storerooms, restrooms, public lobbies, guest rooms, and low energy use spaces. ASHRAE includes a requirement that occupancy sensors be used in most classrooms, conference/meeting rooms, and employee break/lunch rooms.

Automatic shutoff controls

Both IECC and ASHRAE require automatic shutoff controls for buildings larger than 5,000 ft². This can be accomplished with whole building automatic control systems, individual occupancy sensors, or a similar automatic system. Exceptions are provided for patient care areas, spaces with safety or security concerns, guest rooms (IECC), and 24-hour lighting (ASHRAE). There is also a requirement that occupants be able to override the automatic shutoff for up to 4 hours for ASHRAE and 2 hours for IECC.

Finally, both IECC and ASHRAE require photocell or programmable time control of exterior lighting with exceptions for areas where safety and security are a concern.

As with all codes and standards, consult the written requirements to ensure that you understand any small differences and specific applications not discussed here. Any situations not covered by the code (and there are bound to be some!) should be addressed with the local building officials as they have the final application and compliance authority. For more information, view the ASHRAE 90.1-2004 Lighting Update Video and the Advanced Lighting Design and the Energy Code Webcast .