13.22. NA7.6.2 Shut-off Controls Acceptance

Occupant Sensor Acceptance

Use Document NRCA-LTI-02-A

Purpose of the Test

The purpose of the test is to ensure that occupant sensors are functioning properly to achieve the desired lighting control. There are two basic technologies in three configurations utilized in most occupant sensors: 1) infrared; 2) ultrasonic; and 3) a combination of infrared and ultrasonic.

Occupant sensors are used to automatically turn lights ON immediately when a space is occupied, and automatically turn them OFF when the space is vacated after a pre-set time delay. Some sensors are configured so the user must manually switch the lights ON but the sensor will automatically switch the lights OFF (manual-ON controls). These are commonly called ‘vacancy sensors’ and are included in this testing procedure. Automated lighting controls prevent energy waste from unnecessarily lighting an unoccupied space.

Instrumentation

This test verifies the functionality of installed occupant sensors visually and does not require special instrumentation.

Test Conditions

Occupant sensors are installed properly and located in places that avoid obstructions and minimize false signals.

All luminaires are wired and powered.

During the test, the space remains unoccupied.

Document the initial conditions before overrides or manipulation of the BAS. All systems must be returned to normal at the end of the test.

Estimated Time to Complete

Construction Inspection: 0.25 to 0.5 hours (depending on visual and audible inspection requirements)

Equipment Test: 0.5 to 1 hours (depending on necessity to adjust time delay or mask sensor to prevent false triggers)

Acceptance Criteria

Standard occupant sensor responds to “typical” occupant movement to turn the lights ON immediately.

Manual ON occupant sensor requires occupant to switch lighting on.

Multi-level occupant sensors meet uniformity requirements; the first stage activates between 50-70 percent of the lighting power; after that event the occupant has the ability to manually activate the alternate set of lights, activate 100 percent of the lighting, and deactivate all of the lights.

Conditions where partial ON/OFF controls are required in addition to or instead of the basic controls requirements are identified and the controls properly reduce lighting power by at least 50 percent.

Ultrasonic occupant sensors do not emit audible sound.

Lights controlled by the occupant sensor turn OFF at the preset time delay.

The programmed maximum time delay is not greater than 20 minutes.

Occupant sensor does not trigger a false ON or OFF.

Status indicator or annunciator operates correctly.

Potential Issues and Cautions

It is imperative that the test be performed during a time when the tester can have full control over the occupancy of the space.

The time delay can be adjusted to minimize test time, but the time delay setting must be reset upon completion of the test (not to exceed 20 minutes).

To avoid detection of significant air movement from an HVAC diffuser or other source, which can cause the sensor to turn the lights ON (this is most critical with ultrasonic sensors).

If motion in an adjacent area is causing an unwanted trigger, the technician may adjust the coverage pattern intensity or mask the sensor with an opaque material.

The purpose of the test is to ensure that an occupant sensor functioning properly to achieve the desired lighting control. Occupant sensors are used to automatically turn lights on and keep them on when a space is occupied, and turn them off automatically when the space is unoccupied after a reasonable time delay. The time delay, typically adjustable, will prevent lights from rapid cycling through ON and OFF when spaces are occupied frequently but temporarily. It also helps avoid false OFF triggering when there is little apparent occupant movement.

• Occupancy sensors do not encounter any obstacles that could adversely affect desired performance.

• Occupant sensors have been certified to the Energy Commission in accordance with the applicable provision in §110.9. Verify that model numbers of all occupant sensors are listed on the Energy Commission database as “Certified Appliances & Control Devices” (http://www.energy.ca.gov/appliances/database/).

• For buildings with up to seven (7) occupancy sensors, all occupancy sensors must be tested and sampling may not be used.

• For buildings with more than seven (7) occupancy sensors, sampling may be done on spaces with similar sensors and space geometries.

o Sampling shall include a minimum of 1 occupancy sensor for each group of up to 7 additional photocontrols.

o If the first occupancy sensor in the sample group passes the acceptance test, the remaining building spaces in the sample group also pass.

o If the first occupancy sensor in the sample group fails the acceptance test the rest of the occupancy sensors in that group must be tested.

• If any tested occupancy sensor fails it shall be repaired, replaced or adjusted until it passes the test within the limits of the technician’s authority to do so.

Ensure the space being tested remains unoccupied during the test and wait for the lights to turn off (sensor delay time can be adjusted to shorten test time).

1. Lights controlled by the occupant sensor turn off after the time delay. If the time delay was not adjusted prior to the test, ensure the maximum delay is not greater than 20 minutes. If the time delay was adjusted to minimize test time, return the time delay to initial conditions or 20 minutes, whichever is less.

2. Occupant sensor does not trigger a false ON. Ensure that any movement outside the desired control zone does not activate the lights. Examples include:

• Walking in an adjacent zone close to the control zone, (consider that designers sometimes employ overlapping sensor coverage areas as part of the design)

• Movement other than occupants (i.e. air flow from HVAC system or furnishing movement due to external forces)

Step 2: For a representative sample of building spaces, simulate an occupied condition.

• Most occupant sensors have an LED that will illuminate (typically flash) when motion is detected, where others may emit an audible sound.

• The lights in the control zone turn on immediately, except if the sensor has “manual-ON” capability. The occupant sensors that are required to have “manual-ON” capability are identified on the Lighting Control Worksheet.

1. Lights controlled by the occupant sensor turn off after the time delay. If the time delay was not adjusted prior to the test, ensure the maximum delay is not greater than 20 minutes. If the time delay was adjusted to minimize test time, ensure that the time delay is returned to initial conditions or 20 minutes, whichever is less.

2. Occupant sensor does not trigger a false ON. Ensure that any movement outside the desired control zone does not activate the lights. Examples include:

• Walking in an adjacent zone close to the control zone, (consider that designers sometimes employ overlapping sensor coverage areas as part of the design, so ensure that the zone coverage test has a reasonable demarcation).

• Movement other than occupants (i.e. air flow from HVAC system or furnishing movement due to external forces).

3. The following areas shall be controlled with occupancies sensors to meet the requirements indicated in the Table below.

AREA		Exception	Minimum Lighting Power Reduction Requirement	Note	Energy Standards Section
Where Full or Partial-OFF occupant sensing controls are required. Comply with the following IN ADDITION to §130.1(c)1.
Aisle Ways & Open Areas of Warehouses		No exception applied	50 percent	1	§130.1(c)6A
		Installed lighting power is 80 percent or less of the value allowed under the Area Category Method	40 percent		Exception 1 to §130.1(c)6A
		Installed metal halide lighting or high pressure sodium lighting	40 percent		Exception 2 to §130.1(c)6A
Library book stack aisles		No exception applied	50 percent	1, 2	§130.1(c)6B
Corridors & Stairwells		No exception applied	50 percent	3	§130.1(c)6C
Where only Partial-OFF occupant sensing controls are required. Comply with the following INSTEAD OF §130.1(c)1.
Stairwells & Corridors for High-Rise Res & Hotel/Motel		No exception applied	50 percent	3, 4	§130.1(c)7A
Stairwells & Corridors for High-Rise Res & Hotel/Motel		Installed lighting power is 80 percent or less of the value allowed under the Area Category Method	40 percent		Exception 1 to §130.1(c)7A
Parking Garage, Parking Area & Loading/Unloading Areas		No exception applied	At least one control step between 20 percent & 50 percent	3, 5, 6	§130.1(c)7B
Parking Garage, Parking Area & Loading/Unloading Areas		Installed Metal halide luminaires with a lamp plus ballast mean system efficacy of greater than 75 lumens per watt	At least one control step between 20 percent & 60 percent		Exception 1 to §130.1(c)7B
NOTES
1	The occupant sensing controls shall independently control lighting in each aisle way, and shall not control lighting beyond the area being controlled by the sensor.
2	This requirement applies to library book stack aisles that are 10 feet or longer and accessible from only one end or 20 feet or longer and accessible from both ends.
3	The occupant sensing controls shall be capable of automatically turning the lighting fully ON only in the separately controlled space, and shall be automatically activated from all designed paths of egress.
4	This applies to stairwells and common area corridors that provide access to guestrooms and dwelling units of high-rise residential buildings and hotel/motels
5	No more than 500 watts of rated lighting power shall be controlled together as a single zone. A reasonably uniform level of luminance shall be achieved in accordance with the applicable requirements in Table 130.1-A.
6	Interior areas of parking garages are classified as indoor lighting for compliance with §130.1(c)7B. Parking areas on the roof of a parking structure are classified as outdoor hardscape and shall comply with the applicable provisions in §130.2.

The occupant sensing controls turn lights fully ON in each separately controlled areas, Immediately upon an occupied condition

Simulate a situation where an occupant enters a space with a partial on sensor arrangement.

• The occupant sensor will activate the first stage of lighting, between 50 to 70 percent of the total lighting connected load for the specific lighting equipment controlled.

• After the first stage occurs, manual switches are provided to activate the alternate set of lights, bringing the total power consumption up to the full connected load of the controlled lighting equipment.

• Both stages of lighting (automatic and manual stages) turn OFF with a maximum of 20 minute from the beginning of the unoccupied condition.

• Occupant sensor does not trigger a false ON. Ensure that any movement outside the desired control zone or HVAC operation does not activate the lights.

d. Part 4: Occupant Sensor Serving Small Zones In Large Open Office Plan For Power Adjustment Factor (PAF)

For each controlled zone that is being tested, first complete Functional Test 2 (Occupant Sensor) to confirm that the sensor is switching the lights on and off as required. Then enter the information described below:

• Area served by controlled lighting (square feet) - Size of the controlled zone, which is to say the zone underneath the lighting controlled by this occupant sensor. The boundaries of the controlled zone should lie halfway between one light fixture and the next, if the light fixtures are on a regular grid.

• Enter PAF corresponding to controlled area - From line (a) on the test form, enter the power adjustment factor that corresponds to the size of the controlled zone (≤125sf for PAF=0.4, 126-250sf for PAF=0.3, 251-500sf for PAF=0.2).

• Enter PAF claimed for occupant sensor control in this space from compliance documentation - enter the PAF for this controlled zone, from the Certificate of Compliance

• The PAF corresponding to the controlled area (line b), is less than or equal to the PAF claimed in the compliance documentation (line c) - This step is to ensure that the PAF calculated during the acceptance test is not less than the PAF that was claimed for the same zone on the compliance document.

• Sensors shall not trigger in response to movement in adjacent walkways or workspaces. The sensor switches on the lights only in response to movement within the group of workspace(s) that together constitute the controlled area. The lights must not trigger in response to movement in nearby areas.

• All steps are conducted in Functional Test 2 “Occupancy Sensor (On Off Control)” and all answers are Yes (Y) - This step verifies that Functional Test 2 has been conducted, to verify that the occupant sensor switches the lights between their high and low states as required.