089: Emergency lights and illumination signs, stars on dark night!

Emergency light is a lighting device equipped with back-up batteries that uses electric grid in normal conditions and switches on batteries automatically to keep the lighting during the power outage (emergency situation).

Emergency lights are also available with various signs which called illuminated sign (e.g. pictogram of a man on the run, directional arrow and doorway) and texts (e.g. exit, fire exit).

Note: Please note that there is another type of illuminated sign which it’s not a light (luminaire) which doesn’t contain a lamp and called photo luminescent (glow in the dark). Photo luminescent material stores the light energy and reflects it in the dark.

Note: Along the escape route using the anti-slip tapes with illumination can be a suitable option for safety.

Following lamps are usually used in emergency lights:

• Incandescent
• Halogen
• Fluorescent
• LED (Light Emitting Diode)

Different types of back-up batteries which typically embedded inside the lights are as below:

• Lead acid (Lead calcium)
• Lithium

There are three types of emergency light based on operation time:

1. Maintained: lights are permanently illuminated.
2. Non-maintained (sustained): when power fails, lights automatically turn on.
3. Switchable: light can switch between maintained and non-maintained.

Also lightings are categorized as below:

1. Self-contained: light contains necessary components for independent operation.
2. Centrally supplied: light is energized from a central emergency power system.

Application:

1- Buildings

• Each exit door from inside
• Last exit door from outside
• Escape routes (corridors, stairways, uneven floor levels)
• Location of fire safety equipment (manual call points, portable extinguishers)
• Each elevator (lift)

2- Open area / anti-panic lighting (exhibition halls, shopping centres)

3- High risk task area

Emergency light specifications:

• Back-up time: 1 to 3 hours
• Installation type: ceiling mount (surface/flush), suspended (hanged) from the ceiling with chain, wall mount, signs
• Test button

Note: It should be noted that emergency lighting is a requirement of fire safety standards in buildings.

Related electrical standards:

• BS EN 1838
• BS EN 60598-1
• BS EN 60598-2-22
• BS EN 61347
• BS 5266-1