No one wants to be in a dark stairwell. Not only can it be dangerous and lead to injury, but it can also make people feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Properly lighting commercial stairwells, both inside and outside, can make a huge difference in both appeal and safety using commercial stairwell lighting solutions in Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Although commercial stairwells are occupied infrequently and for short periods of time, appropriate illumination is necessary for a person to be able to navigate through a building under all conditions with code-compliant commercial lighting systems.

For building engineers, facility managers, and property managers, however, commercial stairwell lighting involves more than simply installing fixtures that make the stairs bright enough to see. Light levels, fixture placement, emergency operation, controls, energy consumption, maintenance, and applicable building and life-safety requirements can all influence the design.

Read on for a guide on commercial stairwell regulations, upgrade opportunities, and lighting tips.

Current Stairwell Lighting Regulations

For commercial stairwells, the minimum light levels required is 1 foot-candle (fc), but new guidelines for new stairways (in new constructions) state levels should be no less than 10 fc measured on the floor (NFPA 101 Life Safety Code).

There are some exceptions, such as performance areas during the course of a performance, but most commercial stairwells must adhere to these regulations.

• Stairwells are required to be lit even in event of power outage, either via a backup power generator or batteries, with a 10 fc minimum. Lights must be on for a minimum of 90 minutes.
• If stairs encompass more than six stair treads, there must be light switches at the top and bottom of the stairway (except where remote, central, or automatic control of lighting is provided).
• If using dimmers and/or sensors, lights must remain on for at least 15 minutes after occupancy.

Emergency Stairwell Lighting Requirements

When a stairwell forms part of the required means of egress, emergency illumination can become particularly important. A power failure should not leave occupants attempting to navigate required egress paths in darkness.

Depending on the building and applicable requirements, emergency illumination may be supported through systems such as:

• Emergency generators
• Battery-backed fixtures
• Emergency drivers
• Central emergency power systems

Emergency lighting requirements address more than whether a fixture has a battery installed. Required operating duration, illumination performance, equipment, power sources, and the portions of the egress system requiring emergency illumination all need to be evaluated according to the codes applicable to the building.

Any renovation that changes stairways, corridors, exits, or other portions of the means of egress should therefore include an evaluation of how those changes affect emergency lighting.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Commercial Stairwells

Because commercial stairwells are traditionally designed to operate 24 hours/day, utility costs can add up quickly, especially when there are multiple floors, stairwells, and landings in one building. The easiest way to get more control and save energy and money is to convert to LED using LED stairwell lighting retrofits for commercial buildings. Doing so can result in up to 80-90% energy savings (average of one lighting fixture per 58 square feet). They last longer, requiring less maintenance time and money. Plus, they can also reduce the heat given off a fixture which can keep stairways cooler and help prevent overheating and fire hazards with energy-efficient LED lighting systems.

Another way is to use occupancy sensors or step-dimming sensors, which can reduce lighting to a lower level to decrease energy consumption. However, keep in mind that regulations state the sensors/dimmers must still keep lights on for at least 15 minutes after the space becomes unoccupied with bi-level stairwell lighting controls and dimming systems.

There are several different options here including step dimming, continuous dimming or switching, low-end dim levels, integral or external sensors, and daylight sensing, all part of smart commercial lighting control systems.

Whether you’re planning to convert to LED or use sensors or dimmers, you can replace just singular bulbs or entire fixtures/systems. While the entire system may cost more up front, you’ll be saving money over time through lower energy and maintenance costs with commercial lighting upgrade solutions.

Tips For Lighting Commercial Stairwells

• Consider the style you want. Will the stairs be used heavily? Do you want the stairway lighting to confirm to the aesthetics of the rest of the building? Or be more economical? Do you prefer a white or clear lens? Wall or ceiling mounted? What lamp length? What wattage? Answers to these questions are a good way to get started thinking about how your lighting will look.
• Know the lighting exposure. Where are the lights going to be in the stairwell? Do they need wire guards to protect the lenses? If the stairways are outside, do you want weather-resistant covers or styles? Do you need to be concerned about vandal-reducing features? Considering these factors in the beginning will help save you from having to replace lighting in the near future.
• Factor in light distribution. Light distribution is the amount of area a single light fixture will cover. Having an estimate of light distribution you need can heavily impact the total cost. Additionally, if you’re planning on using dimmers or sensors, you must make sure the sensors are sensitive enough to raise the light output immediately upon occupancy, avoiding “blind spots” that can be unsafe.
• Think about the stairwell occupancy. How often will people be in these stairwells? During normal business hours? 24 hours per day? Perhaps you want to consider occupancy sensors or bi-level dimming sensors, both of which can increase savings and extend the life of the fixtures.
• Have a backup plan. Lights must still work even if there’s a power outage, and especially in the event of an emergency. Have a plan for whether you’ll have battery backups, generators, or other systems to ensure you have light in emergent situations.

Should You Retrofit or Replace Existing Stairwell Fixtures?

A complete fixture replacement isn’t necessarily the only option. Depending on the existing equipment, retrofit products may allow portions of an existing fixture or housing to remain in service. A retrofit approach may be worth evaluating when:

• Existing housings are in suitable condition
• Compatible retrofit equipment is available
• The desired lighting performance can be achieved
• The proposed controls can be incorporated appropriately

Complete fixture replacement may make more sense when existing equipment is deteriorated, fixture types are inconsistent, light distribution is poor, significant controls upgrades are needed, or retaining the existing equipment provides little long-term benefit. A site assessment can help determine which approach is appropriate before products are ordered.

Commercial Stairwell Lighting by Facility Type

Although many of the same lighting principles apply across commercial properties, stairwell priorities can vary by facility type.

Office Buildings

Office stairwells may experience relatively low occupancy for portions of the day while still requiring dependable lighting whenever employees or visitors use them. LED fixtures with appropriate occupancy-based controls can be particularly useful when replacing older systems that operate continuously at full output.

Multifamily Properties

Apartment and condominium stairwells can experience use throughout the day and night. In addition to illumination and energy consumption, property managers may need to consider fixture durability, maintenance access, appearance, and emergency operation.

Schools and Educational Facilities

School stairwells can experience intense periods of traffic between classes followed by long periods of limited occupancy. Fixture durability, sensor response, maintenance, and appropriate illumination can all be important considerations.

Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare stairwells may be used by employees, patients, visitors, and emergency personnel. Lighting design should account for the facility’s operational requirements and applicable life-safety considerations.

Parking Facilities

Stairwells connected to parking structures may be exposed to moisture, temperature changes, dirt, or other environmental conditions. Appropriate fixture ratings, durability, controls, and visibility become particularly important.

Retail and Commercial Properties

Customer-facing properties should consider both functional illumination and how the stairwell lighting contributes to the overall experience of the building.

Property Management Portfolios

For property managers overseeing multiple buildings, standardizing stairwell fixture families and controls where practical can simplify purchasing, replacement inventory, and ongoing maintenance.

Lighting Defects to Look Out For

Whether planning lighting for commercial stairwells or inspecting those that already exist, there are some defects to look out for and avoid, such as:

• Interior light fixtures or switches not weather protected.
• Fixtures are not present at both the top and bottom of the stairs (when required) or are not three-way (allowing someone to turn stairs on and off from both switches).
• Light switches are not properly located.
• Stair lights are burned out, damaged, or otherwise not working.
• Stair or landing lighting are too dim (insufficient lumens).
• There is a stair or landing light that intrudes into the walking space (so that someone could run into the light/bulb).

Consult The Experts

Bay Lighting provides commercial lighting solutions in Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. Our areas of expertise are for commercial and residential property management companies, and LED retrofits and installations are available.

Whether you’re building new or looking to upgrade a commercial stairwell, we can provide the guidance and knowledge necessary for a successful project. Call us today at 301-858-9494 or fill out our online contact form.