Commercial Outdoor Lighting Control Requirements
Outdoor lighting needs three control layers: a photocontrol or astronomical time switch that turns it off in daylight, automatic scheduling able to cut power 50 to 90 percent and switch it off, and motion sensing for luminaires mounted 24 feet or lower. It must also be controlled independently of other loads, and the controls are tested on NRCA-LTO-02-A.
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Layer one: off when daylight is available
Under Section 130.2(c)1, all installed outdoor lighting needs a photocontrol, an astronomical time switch or another control that shuts it off when daylight is available. It must also be controlled independently of other loads; the Energy Commission manual says it may share a circuit, with irrigation controls for example, if it has its own control.
Layer two: scheduling for everything
Scheduling applies to all outdoor lighting. It must reduce power by 50 to 90 percent and separately turn lights off in unoccupied periods, with at least two nighttime periods at independent levels and an override of no more than two hours. The manual says a building occupied around the clock still needs scheduling, and that where motion sensing is required, scheduling is required in addition.
Layer three: motion sensing
Motion sensing is required for general hardscape, parking lots, outdoor sales lots, service station hardscape, and the canopies at sales and service areas, where the bottom of the luminaire is 24 feet or less above grade (130.2(c)3). It must cut power 50 to 90 percent within 15 minutes of vacancy, restore it on occupancy, and serve no more than 1,500 watts per sensor or zone. Luminaires of 40 watts or less, facade, ornamental and outdoor dining lighting, and applications excepted from Section 140.7(a) are exempt. Lighting that safety law requires to stay on, and tunnels lit around the clock, are excepted.
What the test checks
With seven or fewer motion sensors all are tested; beyond that, one per group of up to seven more. Simulated absence must dim the lights 50 to 90 percent, or turn them off, within 15 minutes. Schedules are checked against the programmed plan or, if none is given, a default off from midnight to 6 a.m. The form is NRCA-LTO-02-A; see lighting acceptance testing.
Power allowances are on outdoor and site lighting, zones under outdoor lighting zones, and replacement triggers on parking lot lighting replacement. Quotes start from the commercial page.
Common Title 24 Questions
- When does a commercial project need Title 24?
- Does an office tenant improvement need Title 24?
- Does a restaurant remodel need Title 24?
- Does a retail tenant improvement need Title 24?
- What plans are needed for a commercial Title 24 report?
- What is an NRCC certificate of compliance?
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Motion sensing is required for listed applications at a mounting height of 24 feet or lower, and luminaires of 40 watts or less, facade, ornamental and outdoor dining lighting are excepted.
No more than 1,500 watts per sensor or zone, dimming 50 to 90 percent within 15 minutes of vacancy.
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