Emergency Lamps

Lets Talk About the Different Types of Emergency Lighting!

April 17,2024

Emergency light

Backup light source used in power outages

Not to be confused with Emergency vehicle lighting

US style emergency lighting fixture

An emergency light is a battery-backed lighting device that switches on automatically when a building experiences a power outage.

In the United States, emergency lights are standard in new commercial and high occupancy residential buildings, such as college dormitories, apartments, and hotels. Most building codes in the US require that they be installed in older buildings as well. Incandescent light bulbs were originally used in emergency lights, before fluorescent lights and later light-emitting diodes (LEDs) superseded them in the 21st century.

History [ edit ]

By the nature of the device, an emergency light is designed to come on when the power goes out. Every model, therefore, requires some sort of a battery or generator system that could provide electricity to the lights during a blackout. The earliest models were incandescent light bulbs which could dimly light an area during a blackout and perhaps provide enough light to solve the power problem or evacuate the building. It was quickly realized, however, that a more focused, brighter, and longer-lasting light was needed. The modern emergency floodlight provides a high-lumen, wide-coverage light that can illuminate an area quite well. Some lights are halogen, and provide a light source and intensity similar to that of an automobile headlight.

Early battery backup systems were huge, dwarfing the size of the lights for which they provided power. The systems normally used lead acid batteries to store a full 120-volt charge. For comparison, an automobile uses a single lead acid battery as part of the ignition system. Simple transistor or relay technology was used to switch on the lights and battery supply in the event of a power failure. The size of these units, as well as the weight and cost, made them relatively rare installations. As technology developed further, the voltage requirements for lights dropped, and subsequently the size of the batteries was reduced as well. Modern lights are only as large as the bulbs themselves - the battery fits quite well in the base of the fixture.

Modern installations [ edit ]

A small emergency light.

In the United States and Europe, modern emergency lighting is installed in virtually every commercial and high occupancy residential building. The lights consist of one or more incandescent bulbs or one or more clusters of high-intensity light-emitting diodes (LED). The emergency lighting heads are usually either PAR 36 sealed beams or wedge base lamps. All units have some sort of a device to focus and intensify the light they produce. This can either be in the form of a plastic cover over the fixture, or a reflector placed behind the light source. Most individual light sources can be rotated and aimed for where light is needed most in an emergency, such as toward fire exits. Modern fixtures usually have a test button of some sort which temporarily overrides the unit and causes it to switch on the lights and operate from battery power even if the main power is still on. Modern systems are operated with relatively low voltage, usually from 6-12 volts. This both reduces the size of the batteries required and reduces the load on the circuit to which the emergency light is wired. Modern fixtures include a small transformer in the base of the fixture which steps-down the voltage from main current to the low voltage required by the lights. Batteries are commonly made of lead-calcium, and can last for 10 years or more on continuous charge. U.S. fire safety codes require a minimum of 90 minutes on battery power during a power outage along the path of egress.

Compliance Codes [ edit ]

New York City requires emergency lights to carry a Calendar Number signifying approval for local installation,[1] Chicago requires emergency lighting to have a metal face plate,[2] and Los Angeles requires additional exit signs be installed within 18 inches (460 mm) of the floor around doors to mark exits during a fire, as smoke rises and tends to block out higher installed units.[3]

As there are strict requirements to provide an average of one foot candle of light along the path of egress, emergency lighting should be selected carefully to ensure codes are met.

In recent years, emergency lighting has made less use of the traditional two-head unit - with manufacturers stretching the concept of emergency lighting to accommodate and integrate emergency lighting into the architecture.

An emergency lighting installation may be either a central standby source such as a bank of lead acid batteries and control gear/chargers supplying slave fittings throughout the building, or may be constructed using self-contained emergency fittings which incorporate the lamp, battery, charger and control equipment.

Self-contained emergency lighting fittings may operate in "Maintained" mode (illuminated all the time or controlled by a switch) or "Non-Maintained" mode (illuminated only when the normal supply fails).

Some emergency lighting manufacturers offer dimming solutions for common area emergency lighting to allow energy savings for building owners when unoccupied using embedded sensors.[4]

Another popular method for lighting designers, architects and contractors are battery backup ballasts that install within or adjacent to existing lighting fixtures. Upon sensing power loss, the ballasts switch into emergency mode turning the existing lighting into emergency lighting in order to meet both the NFPA's Life Safety Code and the national Electric Code without the need of wiring separate circuits or external wall mounts.

Codes of practice for remote mounted emergency lighting generally mandate that wiring from the central power source to emergency luminaires be kept segregated from other wiring, and constructed in fire resistant cabling and wiring systems.

Codes of practice lay down minimum illumination levels in escape routes and open areas. Codes of practice also lay down requirements governing siting of emergency lighting fittings, for example the UK code of practice, BS5266, specifies that a fitting must be within 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) horizontal distance of a fire alarm call point or location for fire fighting appliances.

The most recent codes of practice require the designer to allow for both failure of the supply to the building and the failure of an individual lighting circuit. BS5266 requires that when Non Maintained fittings are used, they must be supplied from the same final circuit as the main lighting circuit in the area.

Relevant standards [ edit ]

IEC 60598-2-22 Ed. 3.0: Luminaires - Part 2-22: [1] Particular requirements - Luminaires for emergency lighting

IEC 60364-5-56 Ed. 2.0: Low-voltage electrical installations - Part 5-56: [2] Selection and erection of electrical equipment - Safety services

ISO 30061:2007 (CIE S 020/E:2007): Emergency lighting (specifies the luminous requirements for emergency lighting systems)

Types [ edit ]

For UK and Australian regulations, two types are distinguished:[5][6]

Maintained luminaires are permanently illuminated, and remain illuminated when power fails. They are used for tasks such as emergency exit lighting. In some cases they may be switched off deliberately, but are usually required to be active when a building is occupied, or when the public are admitted, such as for a theatre.

luminaires are permanently illuminated, and remain illuminated when power fails. They are used for tasks such as emergency exit lighting. In some cases they may be switched off deliberately, but are usually required to be active when a building is occupied, or when the public are admitted, such as for a theatre. Sustained or non-maintained luminaires may be switched on and off normally. If the power fails, they turn on automatically.

What is Emergency Lighting?

The use of emergency lighting is a mandatory requirement of modern commercial and residential building codes. Many building codes also require the installation of emergency lighting as a retrofit for older buildings.

Safeopedia Explains Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is installed in such a manner so as to guide workers safely toward the exit of a building. Depending on the nature of the building and the potential hazards and obstacles that could interfere with a worker's ability to make a safe exit, this could involve using lights to highlight the exit or to provide low levels of illumination throughout the building. In certain occupational situations, such as in commercial aircraft, floor-level emergency lights may be used to help guide individuals toward an exit.

In the United States, OSHA recognizes the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code (101) standards for emergency lighting as providing instructions for how employers can meet their general duty requirements for ensuring a safe workplace. These standards require that all exit routes, including aisles, corridors, and the like, have emergency lighting.

OSHA standard 1910.34 describes an exit route as a “continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety (including refuge areas).” In the event of an outage, emergency lighting must activate automatically during a power failure and must be able to last for at least 90 minutes. OSHA and NFPA codes also prescribe regular maintenance and testing of emergency lighting requirements, including a monthly inspection and annual test per NFPA 101, to ensure that they remain in proper working order.

Emergency lighting codes also specify that exit signs must remain illuminated in the case of a power failure, either by external emergency lighting or by an emergency light source that is intrinsic to the sign itself. In some cases, this lighting may be provided by non-battery sources such as photoluminescence (glow in the dark).

Emergency lighting in workplaces is a topic for which standards from numerous non-occupational regulatory agencies must be taken into consideration. In addition to NFPA codes, there are local building codes, the International Building Code, and International Fire Code standards that should be accounted for by the persons responsible for ensuring safety in their workplace.

Lets Talk About the Different Types of Emergency Lighting!

There are several types of emergency lights! Read our customer's guide to gain understanding of their differences from material to best location to install! By Rashid S. Umar

The Different Types of Emergency Lights Today

As a civilian, there’s a chance that you’ve seen mounted device mounted above the doorway of your favorite restaurant or retail store. Well, that bulky mechanism isn’t just hanging there for decoration, it's actually a form of emergency lighting. Whether is a single fixture with dual bulbs, an exit sign, or a combination of the two, they fulfill a purpose - but what?

Okay, What Exactly is Emergency Lighting Used For?

Building managers, owners, and architects know the importance of these fixtures and so should you. Emergency lighting is a method demonstrated through a series of devices, which are used to limit potential injury if a building needs to be evacuated. In case of a fire, a storm, or any immediate danger, these lighting devices aid in a safe exit and lower confusion and panic. However, there are chances that immediate clearing of the facility may not be possible. In that case, then the lights can provide lumination for procedures to take place.

What are the different types of Emergency Lighting?

As mentioned before, there is more one type of this lighting, but they all are designed to accomplish the same goal. Let’s break each one down:

Exit Signs and Egress Pathways

Picture a room or hallway that you frequent and imagine that it suddenly becomes filled with smoke or the building has experienced a power outage due to that vicious storm outside. In the event of these situations, exit signs and/or egress pathways would help guide you to safety.

Exit Signs are usually positioned above the nearest exits in the building. They are recognized by their red or green lettering of the word EXIT, or illustrations pointing towards a safe escape. There are different types to choose from including:

Thermoplastic

Self-Luminous

Photoluminescent

Edge-Lit

Egress Pathways are floor-mounted lighting that glows in the dark to provide an escape route for individuals during a blackout. They often consist of small LED bulbs, which is suitable for the idea of minimizing the chance of building occupants getting lost. These are usually found in the aisles of airplanes and theaters.

Temporary or Standby Lighting

At times, our lives require activity that needs to continue, even during a power outage. The unfortunate truth is that these emergencies occur in places like hospitals, prisons and ironically fire stations. Temporary lighting would allow for activities to be maintained in the dark. They come in different constructions, size, and can be used indoors or outdoors.

Type of Standby Lighting:

1. Thermoplastic - These emergency lights are the most affordable offered. They combine value with reliability and begin at less than $20 per unit. Thermoplastic emergency lights are suitable for indoor use only.

2. Steel - These emergency lights are offered in a variety of voltage and wattage capacities. Steel emergency lights are popular for warehouse, industrial, and institutional applications. All models are remote capable and different lamp head wattages are available.

3. Wet Location - There emergency lights are waterproof, they can be used where moisture and water are present. Wet location emergency lights used in locations that feature freezing temperatures are outfitted with internal heaters to insure the unit operates correctly. NEMA rated models are protected further.

4. Architectural - These emergency lights are manufactured to provide required emergency illumination and designed to illuminate in style. Architectural emergency lights blend with upscale interiors; many feature recessed housings. Most models can be finished with a custom color of your choice.

5. Hazardous Location - These emergency lights are designed to be used in environments that feature flammable and ignitable gas or vapors. Class 1 Division 2 and Class 1 Division 1 emergency lights are manufactured for the most extreme environments.

Understanding Emergency Lights

Have you ever been in a place without any light? Worse than that, have you ever tried to find your way out of a place without any light? Or, to make it one step worse, how about trying to find your way out of that place without any light, in the midst of an emergency?

The NEC (National Electric Code) and OSHA regulations require the installation of Emergency Lights in all public and commercial buildings, to provide light in the case of a power loss or emergency. Typical places that would require these lights include:

Office buildings

Theatres & churches

Retail outlets

Warehouses

Government offices

Industrial facilities

What are these Emergency Lights?

Emergency lights are permanently mounted, battery operated lights, which are tied into the building’s power grid. They draw power from the grid to maintain the battery fully charged. In the event of a power loss, the light automatically turns on, providing enough light for people to leave the facility.

View Our Most Popular Emergency Lights

Regulations require that the entire egress route be lighted from all areas that can have people in them, all the way to a public way or safe assembly area. A public way would be a sidewalk, street or alley. In the absence of a nearby public way, the facility owner can designate an outside area that is far enough away from the facility to protect the people in the case of a fire, as a safe assembly area.

What Requirements Do These Lights Have to Fulfill?

There are a number of particular requirements that regulations stipulate for these emergency lights:

They must turn on automatically at any power loss

They must remain on for a minimum of 90 minutes

They must provide enough light to light the entire egress route to a minimum o f1 ft-candle of illumination, measured 1 foot above the floor.

Planning an exit light system for a particular facility is best left to architects and electrical engineers, as the calculations for insuring enough light, throughout the egress route, can be complicated.

What Do These Emergency Lights Consist Of?

A typical Emergency Light consists of a housing that contains the battery, a circuit board and a transformer. There are anywhere from one to three reflective lamp heads attached to this housing, with DC light bulbs in them. The power for the light bulbs comes from the battery, which is in turn recharged by the transformer and circuit board. In the case of power loss, the circuit board recognizes it, turning the unit on to provide lighting for emergency egress of the facility.

Fluorescent emergency lights have gained popularity in recent years. The light weight fixture uses a Nickel Cadmium emergency light battery instead of the typical sealed lead acid. This extends the average lifespan of the battery to 2-3 years.

View our Fluorescent Emergency Lights

Wet Location emergency lights are weatherproof and designed for harsh, outdoor conditions. many models come with the option for a battery heater that allows the fixture to operate in freezing temperatures. We even have a model that can handle -40 degrees Fahrenheit.

View our Wet Location Emergency Lights

Explosionproof Emergency Lights exist for hazardous applications (wet environment), materials where flammable materials are used, and locations where the lights are likely to get damaged; along with attractive units for use in offices, hotels and retail outlets. All of these units function in essentially the same way, providing the same level of protection for people trapped within the darkened building.