Overview

Germicidal Irradiation Luminaries (GIL) are used to kill disease-causing pathogens through UV radiation. However, these devices weren’t widely installed before the Covid pandemic. Consequently, NEC 2020 and previous editions didn’t address their installation requirements and specifications, causing confusion and potential malpractices that could damage the device. NEC 2023 introduced a new Section 410.195 to list the permitted locations for GIL installations. The addition of this section serves as a reference for electricians installing GIL devices.

Applying the 2023 Code

UV radiation has been widely acknowledged as an effective method for disinfecting air, water, and surfaces. With recent public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a growing demand for compact devices capable of safely emitting UV radiation. One of these devices is the Germicidal Irradiation Luminaries (GIL), which are installed to disinfect keypads and other high-touch surfaces, as well as to purify the air in HVAC system ductwork and plenums used for environmental air circulation. However, these devices cannot be installed everywhere due to the potential risks associated with UV radiation exposure to humans. NEC 2020 lacked provisions specifying permitted locations for GIL installations, resulting in their non-standard and sometimes catastrophic usage. Consequently, NEC 2023 introduced new guidelines aimed at ensuring the safe and effective installation of these devices, providing clear specifications for their use in various locations such as general lighting, building spaces, and dwellings. The purpose of this addition is to encourage greater utilization of GIL devices for combating disease-causing pathogens.

What’s New for the 2023 NEC?

The below presents a comparison between the 2020 NEC and the 2023 NEC regarding Section 410.195.

2020 NEC

The NEC 2020 did not address the Germinal Irradiation Luminaries (GIL).

2023 NEC

410.195 Locations Not Permitted

(A) General Lighting
Luminaires shall not be installed as lighting for general illumination unless such use is indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
(B) Installed Location
Luminaires shall not be installed where likely to be subject to physical damage.
(C) Dwellings
Luminaires shall not be installed in a dwelling unless listed and identified for use in dwellings.
(D) Mounting Height
Luminaires installed in a building space that will be occupied during luminaire operation shall not be mounted below the minimum height specified by its listing and installation instructions.