Imagine you're in a building when the lights go out due to a power outage. This might quickly cause a sensation of anxiety and lack of security, which can lead to panic. Fortunately, most facilities have emergency lights and exit signs (if properly maintained) to direct you to safety.
People are naturally afraid when there is a fire. In addition, darkness can produce disorientation and panic, which can result in injury and/or death. As a result, facilities should have fully functional emergency and exit lighting. The main rule of emergency lighting is to clearly identify escape routes with no uncertainty. This illumination will reveal routes for safe transit towards and through the exits offered. Exit signs must show people either the straight path to or the exact position of the door.
What Color are Exit and Emergency Signs?
There are many different sizes, colours, and architectural styles available for exit and emergency lighting fixtures.
As long as exit signs are easily recognisable and meet OSHA (Operational Safety and Health Administration) and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 101 standards, they can be any colour or mix of colours. Local building codes, however, could mandate a particular colour.
Why, then, are the majority of indicators green and red? According to colour psychology, red is connected to danger or a warning sign, like a stop sign.
Green, on the other hand, is associated with safety and signifies "go," making it obvious that individuals should maintain composure and heed the signs. From a distance or in a dimly lit area, green is also more visible than other colours. Traditional "EXIT" signs are being gradually replaced in some jurisdictions by green signs that feature a silhouetted person known as the "Green Running Man." The NFPA does not currently have any intentions to enforce this modification, but remain updated.
Are Emergency and Exit Lighting Required in a Facility?
Except for one- and two-family homes and rooming houses, emergency and exit lighting is mandated for egress in all occupancies and is covered under the NFPA 101 rule. Additionally, according to building safety requirements, your emergency lights must be operational for at least one and a half hours. The emergency lighting test, which lasts 90 minutes, ensures that your emergency lights are prepared for any eventuality.
Certain jurisdictions may mandate that the emergency lighting system flashes on and off in response to the sounding of the building's fire alarm or illuminates concurrently with the alarm. Partnering with a business that can help you figure out which codes would apply in your case is crucial.
How Many Exit Signs are Required?
The layout of each building is different. Determining the number of exit lights needed depends on the building's arrangement and size. For instance, the number of lights will vary depending on the number of floors, stairwells, corridors, entrances, and lifts. To find out how many emergency and exit lights are needed, consult your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
What are the Testing Requirements for Emergency and Exit Lights?
Regardless of the size or type of facility, the building owner is responsible for the following frequency of tests: 30-second tests every 30 days to ensure required illumination, and 90-minute tests every year to simulate a long-term emergency. Written documentation must be kept and presented to confirm both monthly and annual functional testing. The testing involves cutting the power to the facility's emergency lighting units as in an emergency situation. During the tests, all emergency lighting units must be fully operational. Code requirements for testing and maintenance will vary by jurisdiction. Testing of these devices may seem general in nature but can prove very time consuming for a facility maintenance staff to complete and can require hours of work especially when most units are mounted several feet from the floor which could require a ladder or a lift in most cases. When building owners have their systems professionally tested and maintained, they can have peace of mind that their systems are working properly, code compliant, and capable of supporting emergency lights during any power outage.
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