Parking Lot Lighting Replacement: Title 24 Requirements
Replacing parking lot lights triggers controls once 10 percent or more of the luminaires change, and the power allowances once 50 percent or more change, unless the new luminaires use at least 40 percent less power. Replacing fewer than 5 luminaires escapes both rules. If the connected load rises, the added or altered luminaires must meet both controls and allowances.
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A load increase changes the test
Section 141.0(b)2L covers alterations to existing outdoor lighting in the Table 140.7-A and 140.7-B applications. Where the connected lighting load goes up, the added or altered luminaires must meet the Section 130.2(c) controls and the Section 140.7 allowance for general hardscape or the specific application.
No increase: the 10 percent step
Where load does not rise and 10 percent or more of the existing luminaires in the hardscape or application are replaced, controls attach. In parking lots and sales lots with the bottom of the luminaire at 24 feet or lower, the new luminaires need daylight shutoff plus motion sensing. Above 24 feet, they need daylight shutoff plus either automatic scheduling or a system cutting power at least 40 percent when the area empties.
The 50 percent step
Replacing 50 percent or more brings the Section 140.7 allowance on top of the controls, unless the new luminaires use at least 40 percent less power than the originals. Fewer than 5 replaced luminaires is excepted from both steps. Shielding under Section 130.2(b) also applies to luminaires of 6,200 lumens or more, except for pole replacements with no new poles or wiring, no wattage increase and pole spacing over six times the mounting height.
Working out the allowance
Table 140.7-A gives area, linear and initial allowances by zone. Lighting Zone 1 is 0.016 watts per square foot, 0.13 per linear foot and 150 watts; Zone 2 is 0.019, 0.15 and 200; Zone 3 is 0.021, 0.20 and 250. The lit area is a square 10 times the mounting height around each luminaire, less buildings and off-site land. The Commission manual's Zone 3 example, 11,196 square feet with a 470 foot perimeter, comes to 250 plus 235.1 plus 94, or 579.1 watts. Gravel lots count as hardscape. Zones depend on site location; see outdoor lighting zones.
Controls are on outdoor lighting controls, allowance layers on outdoor and site lighting, and interior decks on parking garage lighting. 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
Only if fewer than 5 luminaires change, or less than 10 percent of the existing luminaires are replaced with no increase in connected load; otherwise controls apply to the replacements.
When 50 percent or more of the luminaires are replaced, unless the new ones use at least 40 percent less power than the originals.
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