Section 12-A1205. LIGHTING

 

Strike Section 1205.1 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1205.1 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows:

1205.1 General.  Every space intended for human occupancy shall be provided with natural light by means of exterior glazed openings in accordance with Section 1205.2 or shall be provided with artificial light in accordance with Section 1205.3. 

Exception: Artificial light shall not be used to meet the lighting requirements for bedrooms, living rooms and sleeping units.

Strike Section 1205.2 of the International Building Code in its entirety and insert new Section 1205.2 in its place in the Building Code to read as follows:

1205.2 Natural light. The minimum net glazed area shall be not less than 8 percent of the floor area of the room or rooms served. At least 50 percent of required glazing shall be clear glass; it is permissible for the remainder of the required glazing to be obscure glass, glass block or other approved translucent material.

 

1205.2.1 Adjoining spaces.  For the purpose of natural lighting, any room is permitted to be considered as a portion of an adjoining room where one-half of the area of the common wall provides an opening of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 25 square feet (2.32 m2), whichever is greater.

 

1.  It is permissible for glazing to fill a portion or all of the required opening between adjoining spaces.

 

2.  It is permissible to install doors in openings between adjoining spaces.  However, opaque portions of doors shall not contribute to meeting the minimum opening requirement of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 25 square feet (2.32 m2), whichever is greater.

Exception: Openings required for natural light shall be permitted to open into a sunroom with thermal isolation or a patio cover where the common wall provides a glazed area of not less than one-tenth of the floor area of the interior room or 20 square feet (1.86 m2), whichever is greater. 

 

1205.2.2 Exterior openings. Exterior openings required by Section 1205.2 for natural light shall open directly onto a public way, yard or court, as set forth in Section 1206.

 
 

Exceptions:

 

1. Required exterior openings are permitted to open into a roofed porch where the porch:

 

1.1. Abuts a public way, yard or court;

 

1.2. Has a ceiling height of not less than 7 feet (2134 mm); and

 

1.3. Has a longer side at least 65 percent open and unobstructed.

 

2. Skylights are not required to open directly onto a public way, yard or court.

 

 

authority

Section 10 of the Construction Codes Approval and Amendments Act of 1986 (Act), effective March 21, 1987 (D.C. Law 6-216; D.C. Official Code § 6-1409 (2012 Repl.)) and Mayor’s Order 2009-22, dated February 25, 2009, as amended.

source

Final Rulemaking published at 61 DCR 2782 (March 28, 2014 – Part 2).

EditorNote

The District of Columbia Building Code (2013), referred to as the “Building Code,” consists of the 2012 edition of the International Building Code as amended by the District of Columbia Building Code Supplement (2013)(12 DCMR A). The International Building Code is copyrighted by the International Code Council and therefore is not republished here. However, a copy of the text may be obtained at:http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ibc/2012/index.htm?bu=IC-P-2012-000001&bu2=IC-P-2012-000019.