Commercial Time Switch Control Requirements Under Title 24
A time switch can serve as the automatic shutoff for indoor lighting only if it has a manual override of no more than two hours, an automatic holiday shutoff of at least 24 hours, and zones no larger than 5,000 square feet, with listed exceptions. The device must keep its schedule for 7 days. Programming is inspected and tested on NRCA-LTI-02-A.
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What the lighting rule asks of the schedule
Section 130.1(c)1 accepts an automatic time switch as the shutoff control, with separate control for each floor other than stairwells and a separate zone for each space enclosed by ceiling-height partitions of up to 5,000 square feet. In malls, auditoriums, single-tenant retail, industrial areas, convention centers and arenas the zone may reach 20,000 square feet. Areas in use 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, are excepted.
Override and holiday rules
The override may keep lights on for no more than 2 hours. The longer override is allowed only with a captive key in malls, auditoriums, single-tenant retail, industrial areas, laboratories and arenas, or where occupant sensing is installed. The automatic holiday shutoff must turn all loads off for at least 24 hours and resume the schedule; retail stores, malls, restaurants, grocery stores, churches and theaters are excepted, as are areas with occupant sensing.
The device itself
Under Section 110.9(b)1 any time switch must hold its schedule for at least 7 days and its date and time for at least 72 hours through a power loss. Astronomical controls must predict sunrise and sunset within 15 minutes and adjust for daylight saving time. A countdown timer may substitute only in closets under 70 square feet, at 10 minutes, and server aisles, at 30 minutes. See lighting control devices.
What the test looks at
The inspector checks that weekday, weekend and holiday schedules are programmed and documented, the date and time are correct, the backup battery is energized, and the override limit is no more than 2 hours. The functional test turns the lighting off on schedule, confirms the holiday shutoff and checks the override limit. Remote override switches must let the user see the lights or show their state. It is the same NRCA-LTI-02-A that covers sensors; see lighting acceptance testing.
Warehouses pair time switches with partial-off sensing; see occupancy sensor requirements. 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 more than 2 hours, except in malls, auditoriums, single-tenant retail, industrial areas, laboratories and arenas where a captive-key override is used.
It needs an automatic holiday shutoff of at least 24 hours, except in retail stores, malls, restaurants, grocery stores, churches and theaters.
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