Emergency lighting is either run by batteries or other independently powered light sources that are designed in a way that they activate when there is a power outage. It creates darkness in the workplace which affects the productivity of employees overall. It is mandatory to use emergency lighting in modern commercial and industrial building codes. Most building codes also require installing emergency lighting to serve as a retrofit for the older buildings. Emergency lighting is also used for security purposes that provide a level of lighting in the egress path, allowing people in the building to exit in situations of main power failures safely.
Most modern building codes require the installation of emergency lighting systems. However, the codes could be different for different countries.
Purpose of Emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting is installed in a building to guide the employees towards the exit of a building safely. Contingent upon the idea of the structure and the expected dangers and snags that could impede a laborer's capacity to take off, this could include utilizing lights to feature the exit or to give low degrees of brightening all through the structure. In specific occupation-related circumstances, for example, in a business airplane, floor-level emergency lights might assist in directing people toward an exit.
It is specified by the emergency codes that the exit sign must remain lightened in the situation of a power failure either with the help of external emergency lighting or through a lighting source that is already built in the exit sign. In certain situations, this lighting may be provided by non-battery power sources such as photoluminescence which glows in the dark.
Numerous occupational regulatory agencies have issued their standards for emergency lighting which must be considered by organizations while installing them. Along with NFPA codes, there are local building codes, international building codes, and international fire code standards that must be taken into consideration by the individuals responsible for safety at the workplace.
Difference Between Maintained and Non-Maintained Emergency Lights
A maintained emergency light, such as an LED light powered by a battery, will provide its average lighting level when the main power is available to it. When powered by a battery, its illumination level will decrease when the mains power fails. These are typically used in fire stairs and car parks.
A non-maintained emergency light such as a spitfire emergency light will not light up until the mains power fails. This means they act as emergency indicators upon the failure of emergency lights. Non-maintained emergency lights are typically used in commercial offices.
Expected Life of Emergency Lights
- When the emergency light is battery-backed, the battery can last from 3 to 4 years. The reasons for premature battery failure can be the following:
- High Ambient temperatures.
- When the emergency luminaires are stored for more extended periods before even installing them.
- Leaving batteries without charging them for an extended period, for example, during construction.
- Temperatures below 0ºC for LiFePO4 batteries can also cause battery failure.
Testing of Emergency Lights
According to AS 2293, a testing interval of 6 months and 12 months is recommended for testing emergency lights. The testing ensures that the lights will operate for 90 minutes with the battery power when the mains power is turned off. This will indicate that the battery has sufficient capacity and will operate the lights in case of a mains failure.
It is also referred to regularly to clean up diffusers of emergency lights to ensure there is no dirt build-up and the lights work just fine.
