Section 7.8.1/Illumination of Means of Egress
NFPA 101 Section 7.8 requires 1 foot-candle minimum illumination along the entire egress path during occupied conditions.
The means of egress must be illuminated to not less than 1 foot-candle (10.8 lux) at the walking surface during all times the building is occupied. New stairs require a minimum of 10 foot-candles. The illumination must be continuous during occupied conditions, not activated by motion sensors or switches that could leave the path dark. The illumination source must be arranged so that the failure of any single lighting unit does not leave any area in total darkness. This applies to exit access corridors, stairs, ramps, passageways, and exterior exit paths to the public way.
Why this section exists
Occupants cannot safely evacuate through a dark exit path. Obstacles, direction changes, and stairs in the dark cause falls, injuries, and panic. The 1 foot-candle minimum ensures occupants can see the path ahead and navigate obstacles. The requirement that no single lamp failure causes total darkness ensures the path remains visible even with a burned-out light. This is separate from emergency lighting (Section 7.9), which provides backup illumination during power failure.
What plan reviewers look for
Plan reviewers check the lighting plan for fixture locations along the entire egress path from every occupied space to the building exit. They verify the photometric calculations show at least 1 foot-candle at the floor along the path and 10 foot-candles on stair treads. They check that motion-sensor-controlled lighting in corridors maintains the minimum level continuously during occupied hours. They verify that no single fixture failure creates a dark zone along the path.