§ 275-41 — Light

275-41. Light.

1. GENERAL. All spaces or rooms shall be provided with sufficient light so as not to endanger health and safety. 2. WINDOW AREA. Every habitable room shall have at least one window facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be at least 8% of the floor area of the room. Whenever the only window in a room is a skylight-type window in the top of the room, the total window area of the skylight shall equal at least 15% of the total floor area of the room. Skylight-type windows existing on and after December 6, 1968, may, if less than 15% of the total floor area, be increased to 15% but no skylight-type window shall be installed in lieu of a window where a skylight has not previously existed. 3. LIGHTING OF COMMON HALLS AND STAIRWAYS. a. Two to 4 Family Dwellings. Public pathways and stairways in buildings accommodating 2, 3 or 4 families shall be provided with convenient light switches controlling an adequate lighting system which may be turned on when needed. An emergency circuit is not required for this lighting. b. Five or More Families. Public pathways and stairways in buildings accommodating more than 4 families, or more than 30 persons, and every building which accommodates transients shall be lighted at all times with adequate artificial lighting; except that such artificial lighting may be omitted from sunrise to sunset where adequate natural lighting is provided. Whenever the occupancy of the building exceeds 100 persons, the artificial lighting as regulated herein shall be on an emergency circuit. c. Intensity of Light. Adequate lighting system, as herein required, shall mean an intensity of 2-1/2 foot candles at a plane 30 inches above the floor line. The required intensity shall apply to both natural and artificial lighting. 4. OTHER SPACES. All other spaces shall be provided with natural or artificial light of sufficient intensity and so distributed as to permit the maintenance of sanitary conditions and the safe use of the space and the appliances, equipment and fixtures.