Picture a crackling sound followed by darkness. Everyone is confused and even terrified after a power outage in your building. In emergencies, the appropriate exit lights can make all the difference. These essential safety fittings illuminate exits during power outages and other emergencies.
This detailed guide can assist building managers, homeowners, and business owners choose the right emergency exit lights. Understanding the types, rules, and essential variables can help you equip your facility with reliable emergency exit lights for safe evacuation.
Benefits of LED Emergency Lights
Emergency exit lights are designed for different building layouts. Below are the most prevalent types:
Exit Signs
Emergency exit lights with prominent "EXIT" or directional arrows indicate escape routes. Most are wall-mounted and set at eye level for visibility.
Wall-mounted lights
Emergency lights installed directly on walls illuminate corridors and hallways during emergencies. They can be single or double-headed, casting light in one or two directions depending on configuration.
Ceiling-mounted lights
These emergency lights cast a wider beam for better lighting in large places with high ceilings. Warehouses, industries, and open-plan workplaces use them when wall-mounted lights need wider coverage.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Emergency Exit Lights
Selecting emergency exit lights requires careful thinking. Some important considerations:
Building Rules
Every building must follow local emergency exit lighting laws. These rules usually cover:
Light Output
Emergency exit lights must demonstrate a minimum lux (lumens per square metre) to direct occupants. This guarantees everyone can see exits in poor light.
Space Requirements
The maximum distance between emergency exit lights is regulated to ensure evacuation path coverage. This eliminates blind places where people may have trouble exiting.
Visibility
Even in smoke or dust, emergency exit lights must be visible and placed away from furniture and signage. Local rules may limit emergency light placement and visibility distances.
Understanding and following these rules is key. Non-compliant emergency exit lights are dangerous and may result in building inspection fines. A licensed electrician or fire safety professional can help you choose emergency lights that fulfil local codes.
Coverage and Location
Emergency exit lights are essential for evacuation. Consider these for optimal coverage:
Building Plan
Walkways, staircases and exits should be considered in your building layout. Strategically positioned emergency lights should highlight the evacuation path. For complete coverage in complex layouts, use emergency exit signs and wall- and ceiling-mounted lights.
Room and corridor sizes
Number and type of emergency exit lights depend on area length. Larger facilities with larger hallways may need stronger lights or more units to avoid dull lighting.
Number of Exits
Clear signs and lighting at each exit will help eliminate confusion in emergencies. Installing emergency exit lights above each doorway and wall-mounted lights adjacent may improve visibility.
Mounting Choices
Different mounting solutions are available depending on location and layout. Hallways and corridors benefit from wall-mounted lighting. In contrast, ceiling-mounted lights complement wide environments with high ceilings. Combination LED emergency lights that serve as exit signs and emergency lights save space in smaller spaces.
Power and backup
Emergency exit lights need power during outages. The two primary options, each with pros and downsides, are:
Self-Contained Batteries
These lights' batteries activate when the electricity goes out. Batteries usually last 90 minutes. This duration varies by model and battery capacity. These batteries must be tested and replaced regularly to work. Self-testing and LED battery indicators are available in some versions.
Central Batteries
From a central battery bank, these systems power building-wide emergency lighting. This centralised solution simplifies maintenance and allows remote battery monitoring. However, adequate central battery system installation and maintenance are needed to ensure all connected lights work during crises.
Maintenance Needed
Emergency exit lights need regular maintenance to work properly. Maintenance requirements vary by type:
Regular Testing
Check your emergency lights weekly or quarterly, depending on local laws. Simulate a power outage and check if the lights and batteries work.
Replace Battery
Replace self-contained emergency lights' batteries according to the manufacturer's instructions or after expiration. Failure to replace expired batteries could disable emergency exit lights in a crisis.
Cleaning
Clean emergency exit lights regularly to remove dust and grime that could reduce their effectiveness. In an emergency, dust can block light.
Cost is another factor to consider.
Size, features, power source, and quantity of units affect emergency exit light prices. Prioritise functionality and rules within your budget. Most complex features like self-testing and remote monitoring cost more.
Aesthetics
While safety is vital, emergency exit lights can match your building's style. LED emergency lights vary in housing and arrangement. Choose sleek, modern designs for modern spaces or traditional ones for historical buildings.
Our Company:
Shenzhen Benwei Lighting Technology Co., Ltd is a professional manufacturer in producing LED lighting for broiler chickens products, integrates design, development, production, and sales of high-tech products as a whole. The factory was founded in 2010 and is located in Shenzhen. Now has over 300 employees, the annual sale of us is over USD 60 million and has become a leader in the industry. If you are interested, please contact us https://www.benweilight.com/contact-us
