As outlined in our previous Insights Post, MA Fire Code Update, the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations approved a new edition of 527 1.00 CMR, the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, which went into effect on December 9, 2022. As a result of this update, code users must now refer to the 2022 Edition of NFPA 241 for construction fire safety requirements. Significant code changes have been enacted that will affect pricing, schedule, and risk mitigation, which will be outlined in this and future Insights posts.
The 2013 and 2019 Editions of NFPA 241 did not include provisions for emergency lighting on construction sites. The 2022 Edition now provides minimum requirements for emergency lighting, depending on how the construction site is normally illuminated. In all instances, emergency lighting is required to illuminate paths of egress for construction personnel.
For construction sites without electrical infrastructure, areas served by natural lighting are permitted to use natural lighting as emergency lighting during daylight hours. If natural lighting is used, supplemental lighting is required in shielded areas or when natural lighting is unavailable.
All areas provided with temporary lighting must also have supplemental emergency lighting. The means by which this emergency lighting is provided should be reviewed for each project, as hazards may dictate varying levels of emergency lighting.
Code Red Consultants will continue to monitor these code adoptions and provide updates as more information is released.