California Code of Regulations
Title 22 - Social Security
Division 5 - Licensing and Certification of Health Facilities, Home Health Agencies, Clinics, and Referral Agencies
Chapter 1 - General Acute Care Hospitals
Article 8 - Physical Plant
Section 70851 - Lighting

(a) All rooms, attics, basements, passageways and other spaces shall be illuminated.

(b) Adequate illumination shall be maintained for the comfort of patients and personnel.

(c) All patient rooms shall have a minimum of 30 foot candles of light delivered to reading or working surfaces and not less than 10 foot candles of light in the remainder of the room.

(d) All corridors, storerooms, stairways, ramps, exits and entrances shall have a minimum of five foot candles of light measured in the darkest corner.

(e) Except in closets, storage spaces, attic spaces, equipment rooms and similar areas, lighting fixtures shall have suitable enclosures to control fixture brightness and to prevent accidental breakage. Where exposed lamp fixtures are permitted, suitable guards shall be maintained in locations where breakage could be hazardous to personnel.

(f) Emergency lighting facilities shall be maintained for use during electrical power failure. In addition, flashlights shall be available at all times. Open flame lights shall not be used.