What Is Emergency Lighting?

In an emergency situation, say a fire or mains power failure, the top priority is to evacuate everyone in the building safely. But if you’re plunged into darkness because the normal lighting has gone out, that evacuation process is made more difficult and more dangerous.

That’s why it’s vital to have a fully functioning emergency lighting system in place. That emergency escape lighting will illuminate the exit routes and help people to evacuate the building quickly and safely.

It’s not just your moral obligation to protect those in your building, it’s also a legal requirement. We explain that in more detail below, along with all you need to know about emergency lighting in your commercial premises.

Why is emergency lighting important in buildings?

In the event of an emergency, people can panic. A loud fire alarm sounding heightens levels of fear and concern. Then, if they can’t see clearly because the building is in darkness due to a power failure, panic levels rise higher. But if emergency lighting systems kick in, and there’s sufficient light to guide people towards the emergency exits, then it’s less scary and there’s a more obvious exit route to follow.

Put simply, emergency lighting comes on automatically when there’s a power cut to the normal lighting’s supply. In particular, emergency lighting systems light up high risk and high traffic areas, escape routes, exit doors, signage, and fire safety equipment like fire alarm call points and portable fire extinguishers. It’s there to draw attention to the most important points in the event of a power outage and/or emergency.

Different types of emergency lighting

Emergency lighting is a fairly general term. There are multiple types of lighting that fall under that umbrella term. The two main types of emergency lighting system are maintained and non-maintained.

Maintained emergency luminaire

These emergency lighting lamps are on constantly. You’ll see them in cinemas and theatres – dimmed lights that signal the emergency exit for example. You’ll also see maintained fire exit signs in public spaces – even well lit places – to highlight escape routes.

Non-maintained emergency lighting

These emergency lamps only come on when the normal lighting’s power source fails. Non-maintained emergency lighting is typical in workplaces and commercial environments – anywhere that uses artificial lighting when the building’s occupied.

Non-maintained emergency lighting comprises emergency escape lighting and standby lighting.

Standby lighting

This part of an emergency lighting system allows normal activities to continue even during a power outage. Standby lighting isn’t a legal requirement.

Emergency escape lighting

This part of an emergency lighting system is a key aspect of a building’s fire safety provision. It lights up escape routes (like stairways and corridors) and fire fighting equipment for example. Emergency escape lighting is a legal requirement (more on that below).

Escape route lighting highlights the escape route. It includes illuminated fire exit signs and emergency lighting bulkheads. Open area lighting provides enough illumination to help people reach a place where an escape route can be identified. It’s sometimes known as anti-panic lighting.

Then there’s high risk task area lighting which provides illumination for people working in potentially dangerous situations who can’t always shut down machinery or processes immediately. It keeps these areas lit until a full shut-down process can take place.

Do I need to conduct emergency light testing?

Your emergency lighting systems will only come on in the event of a power outage. Hopefully, that won’t happen often. Yet, you need to know that your emergency lighting system works perfectly before that fateful event occurs.

To confirm that your emergency lighting system is okay, you need to conduct monthly and annual tests. Emergency light testing ensures that all safety signage (such as fire exits and escape routes) and emergency lighting systems are in full working order. It checks whether emergency lighting systems activate when the main power supply is switched off.

Manual testing

Simulates a power outage by isolating all lighting circuits and luminaires. Then a visual inspection of all emergency lighting has to be made.

Automatic testing

Special self-testing emergency lightning is an option which means that manual testing isn’t required.

Whatever testing you do, any results need to be recorded in an emergency lighting logbook.

Regular testing

The building owner/occupier must appoint a responsible person to carry out short, functional tests of the emergency lighting system. All lighting must be checked to ensure that they’re present, clean and functioning correctly. This usually happens monthly.

Annual testing

Your emergency lighting system must be drained for 3 hours (as per British Standards requirements) once each year. The lighting must still be working at the end of this 3 hour period.

Daily emergency lighting inspection

Emergency lighting units can be self-contained or with a central battery source. Those using a central battery back-up system must be inspected visually each day to check the operational indicators. Central battery sources are straightforward to test, with lower maintenance costs, but are more expensive than self-contained units initially.

Emergency lighting regulations

Emergency lighting of premises is required by law in the EU and the UK. European and British Standards set the minimum requirements for emergency lighting design, light fitting placement, light levels and product standards (BS and EN standards).

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 makes it a legal requirement for commercial buildings to ensure emergency and final exits, and emergency routes are illuminated. Under this legislation, you have a duty to ensure the system is maintained, in efficient working order and in good repair. Whilst this only applies to England and Wales, there’s equivalent legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The Building Regulations 2006 also make escape lighting a legal requirement.

Fire Precautions Regulations 1997 say that building owners must have emergency luminaires in place and must test the emergency lighting systems frequently.

European and British Standards

BS 5266-1 is a series of codes of practice for emergency lighting of premises. It gives general rules and guidance on the provision and operation of emergency lighting. One such rule is that building owners need to enlist a responsible person to conduct a fire risk assessment. As well as being best practice, this is also a legal requirement.

BS EN 1838 states the illumination specifics for emergency lighting (including luminance, lux level, duration and colour).

BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8 specifies the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises.

BS EN 60598-1 provides product standards for luminaires including general requirements and tests.

BS EN 62034 states an automatic test system for battery powered emergency escape lighting.

BS EN 50171 sets out the specifics for central power supply systems for emergency lighting luminaries.

Let us look after your emergency lighting system

As this blog shows, there’s a lot to keep on top of when it comes to fire safety and emergency lighting. Let us do that for you, leaving you more headspace to focus on your business.

We’re a team of NICEIC accredited professional electricians with years of lighting industry experience. Our expert emergency lighting services guarantee that you have fully functioning, reliable lighting solutions, to aid safe evacuation during power outages or emergencies.

We can schedule regular tests to suit you – be that regular monthly checks or an in-depth annual test. Chat to one of our friendly advisors to discuss what you need.