How many foot candles should be provided for adequate lighting in stairways?

For adequate lighting in stairways, 20 foot candles is the recommended level. This standard ensures that sufficient illumination is available to enhance visibility and safety in potentially hazardous areas such as stairs.

Having well-lit stairways is crucial to prevent accidents and falls, which can occur if visibility is low. The specific requirement of 20 foot candles strikes a balance between providing enough light to see clearly while being energy-efficient.

In contrast, levels lower than this standard might not adequately illuminate stairways, increasing the risk of accidents. Higher levels may unnecessarily increase energy consumption and could be considered excessive for this specific environment. Hence, 20 foot candles serves as an optimal benchmark for safety and practicality in stairway lighting.