The 2018 International Energy Conservation Code is now state law across Illinois, with the intent of increasing energy efficiency and lowering operating costs for commercial buildings.
Per the code, which took effect March 1, open plan office areas must use occupancy sensor controls for lighting shutoff, and those exceeding 300 square feet must limit the size of the occupancy sensor-controlled area to separate 600-square-foot zones.
General lighting in the individual zones must reduce power by at least 80 percent when occupants are not detected for 20 minutes. When occupants are no longer detected in any zone, the entire office area must shut down all lighting.
A new code provision allows the use of luminaire level lighting control technologies as an alternate compliance option, so long as the luminaires have embedded occupancy sensors, daylight sensing controls, dimming and wireless zoning capabilities.
