In an emergency, such as a fire, it is essential to execute a safe evacuation of the building or grounds. To facilitate safe evacuation, it is essential that all escape routes, including corridors and stairways, remain unobstructed, easily navigable, and allow inhabitants to swiftly reach a secure location.
Although some escape routes are easily traversable during daylight due to natural illumination from windows or other transparent surfaces, other sections of the building, including internal corridors, stairways and basements, lack such light and require artificial lighting to guarantee that individuals can navigate the escape routes safely and efficiently.
While most edifices are equipped with adequate electric lighting for routine operations, it is essential to install sufficient emergency lighting to guarantee that, in the event of a power failure, diminished visibility due to smoke from a fire, or the presence of personnel unfamiliar with the building's layout during off-hours, escape routes are properly illuminated to ensure occupant safety in the event of an evacuation.
This page provides an overview of emergency lighting, its necessity within your facility, its role in ensuring the safety of escape routes, and the various forms of emergency lighting available.
What constitutes emergency lighting and in which locations is it required?
Emergency lighting, or escape route lighting, serves as a backup illumination source that activates during a power outage when the mains power supply is disrupted and standard electrical lighting ceases to function. Emergency escape lighting can function under comparable circumstances, such as power loss resulting from a fire. The installation of emergency lights can prevent unexpected darkness, hence mitigating potential hazards to occupants.
Escape lighting is mandated by Requirement B1 of the Building Regulations and Article 14 (Emergency routes and exits) of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The British Standard 5266-1 (BS 5266-1) stipulates that every workplace must have appropriate and adequate emergency lighting, which must be provided and maintained in any area where individuals are at risk due to the failure of artificial lighting.
Emergency lighting is required for the following critical areas:
All separate exit doors
Exits
Intersections of corridors
Adjacent to each last departure (e.g., a fire exit) and along external escape routes (exit illumination)
Emergency egress indicators (such as an exit sign)
Staircases and locations with variations in floor elevations
Windowless rooms, such as basement sections, and restrooms exceeding 8 square meters
Firefighting and other safety apparatus
Fire alarm activation points
Equipment requiring shutdown during emergencies or in high-risk task area lighting situations.
Elevators
Spaces within the building exceeding 60m²
What is the function of emergency lighting?
The principal function of emergency lighting is to ensure adequate illumination for residents to escape a building safely and to highlight essential fire safety elements, including manual call points and firefighting apparatus such as fire extinguishers.
It is engineered to ensure that, in the case of a power supply failure, the illumination of escape routes and fire safety equipment is activated promptly, efficiently, and for an adequate duration. This is to guarantee that, in the event of an emergency such as a fire, building residents can evacuate safely and promptly.
When a fire alarm activates and a fire propagates within a building, fear may arise. The addition of a building engulfed in darkness due to a power outage may lead to disorientation and confusion among residents, particularly in a scenario where every second is critical for safe evacuation. Illuminated escape pathways enhance safety and clarity for those seeking refuge.
What are the many categories of emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting systems are classified into two primary categories: maintained and non-maintained. The selection of emergency lighting is contingent upon the building type, with each system presenting distinct advantages and disadvantages. Alongside emergency exit lights, standby lighting may be a component of an emergency lighting system to facilitate the continuation of routine activities with minimal disruption. Standby illumination is not mandated by law.
An emergency lighting fixture is designed to be illuminated constantly, even during a power outage. Emergency luminaires of this nature are predominantly located in venues such as theatres, cinemas, clubs, and halls, as these environments typically lack ambient light and necessitate illumination for safe egress and to highlight signage and fire safety apparatus. Well-maintained emergency lighting systems are routinely utilised in public areas, even in well-lit environments, to provide clear and continuous guidance for escape routes to the public.
Non-maintained emergency lighting consists of luminaires that remain unlit under normal conditions. Such systems are predominantly located in workplaces or analogous settings where artificial illumination is typically utilised during occupancy. Non-maintained emergency lighting is engineered to activate immediately upon the failure of mains power, utilising a battery backup power source. This should provide the emergency illumination with a least of three hours of electricity, affording residents adequate time to leave safely.
Emergency lighting systems necessitate a power loss for operation; therefore, it is essential to routinely test all luminaires to confirm their efficacy. Additional information regarding the testing procedures and frequency for your emergency lighting may be found here.
The Fire Protection Association provides a 5-day training course on Fire Detection, Alarms, and Emergency Lighting, which encompasses an in-depth understanding of systems, legislation, and standards, including BS 5266-1 and BS 5839, along with practical guidance for installation, commissioning, and maintenance of these systems. Discover other information here.
Significant efforts have been undertaken to guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article at the time of publication; however, any legislative or other changes enacted thereafter may render the information obsolete until it is reviewed and updated in accordance with the FPA's content review cycle.
Shenzhen Benwei Lighting Technology Co., Ltd was established in 2010. It is a national high-tech enterprise integrating design, R&D, production and sales of indoor and outdoor lighting products and also can do OEM ,ODM .For more details about our offerings, please contact us at bwzm18@ledbenweilighting.com
