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Considerations For Emergency Light Fixtures:

Number of lamps - The number of lamps in backup emergency lights is of critical importance. You want to consider the size of the space and the foot candle created by each head, and the directional reach of the light spread. For a light to be adequate and increase safety, it needs to offer enough visibility for people to safely navigate hallways or spaces to find the exit. A single fixture with triple directional heads can achieve the proper illumination levels or by placing several double or even single head units throughout the space. The key is to ensure the right foot candle per square foot for the area. Generally, codes denote at least one-foot candle per square foot but keep in mind that may not be enough for all patrons to see adequately, so consider aiming for more if possible. Most codes stipulate you can go up to but not exceed 40-foot candles per square foot.

- The number of lamps in backup emergency lights is of critical importance. You want to consider the size of the space and the foot candle created by each head, and the directional reach of the light spread. For a light to be adequate and increase safety, it needs to offer enough visibility for people to safely navigate hallways or spaces to find the exit. A single fixture with triple directional heads can achieve the proper illumination levels or by placing several double or even single head units throughout the space. The key is to ensure the right foot candle per square foot for the area. Generally, codes denote at least one-foot candle per square foot but keep in mind that may not be enough for all patrons to see adequately, so consider aiming for more if possible. Most codes stipulate you can go up to but not exceed 40-foot candles per square foot. Lamp type - The type of bulb also matters in choosing emergency backup lights. Incandescent is an acceptable option since these lights won't receive constant use, but LED is a step up since it offers a more vibrant ultra bright light for better visibility. LED also provides a flicker-free option which can help with visibility over other options.

- The type of bulb also matters in choosing emergency backup lights. Incandescent is an acceptable option since these lights won't receive constant use, but LED is a step up since it offers a more vibrant ultra bright light for better visibility. LED also provides a flicker-free option which can help with visibility over other options. Operation - The operation matters for this type of lighting. Since these lights are utilized during power outages, they need to have a backup power source or be battery operated. While most units can be set to operate when the power is still on through a remote or button, the battery option ensures they will come on in the event of power loss which is essential.

- The operation matters for this type of lighting. Since these lights are utilized during power outages, they need to have a backup power source or be battery operated. While most units can be set to operate when the power is still on through a remote or button, the battery option ensures they will come on in the event of power loss which is essential. Mount - While most units are wall-mounted options, a few recessed options add to your choices. A wall mount is easy to install and ensures you can place it pretty much anywhere. A recessed option gives a cleaner appearance but will require more care when placing the fixture to ensure proper placement. The type of mount will depend primarily on personal preference and aesthetics.

- While most units are wall-mounted options, a few recessed options add to your choices. A wall mount is easy to install and ensures you can place it pretty much anywhere. A recessed option gives a cleaner appearance but will require more care when placing the fixture to ensure proper placement. The type of mount will depend primarily on personal preference and aesthetics. Know the codes - You must know the codes for emergency lighting before purchasing. This will help you determine how many lights or remote heads you need overall. For example, there are building fire codes and regulations regarding the right foot candle, how long the light can operate without power, backup systems when maintenance is being performed on primary emergency lights, and more. These codes all vary based on your business's state, so make sure you check before purchasing.

We offer both single head for smaller areas and double head options for emergency backup lights to provide even more illumination for larger spaces. Choose from a wide range of wattages, lumen outputs, volts, battery backup, and more to find an exit sign and emergency lighting that is right for your needs. All emergency lights come with a battery, and at the first sign of an outage will kick on for an extended amount of time, usually about 90 minutes by code.

We even have recessed models for a clean look that still offers the safety you need! With their automatic operation, you never need to worry about the safety of customers or employees in terms of proper lighting during an emergency. These lights can give you the peace of mind you need. Add one of these powerful illumination options to your location today!

At we are honored to be your source for all your commercial and industrial lighting needs. With an inventory featuring the leading names in the lighting industry and affordable prices, you will find the perfect solution for your location and particular needs. If you have any questions about the products we proudly offer, our team of lighting experts would be happy to assist you further while shopping with us. Call, chat, or order online today to add some powerful lighting to your building.

When Are Emergency & Exit Lights Required?

When an emergency or power outage affects your business, it is essential to have reliable emergency lights and clearly marked exits. Emergency lighting and exit signs are among the most important safety devices in commercial buildings. They are designed to help protect employees and customers by lighting the way toward a safe exit in the event of a fire or other emergency.

While it's easy to see the importance of emergency lighting systems, it's just as important to understand the installation, testing, and maintenance requirements set forth by national and local authorities to ensure all emergency and exit lights are continually in working order.

Why is Emergency Exit Lighting Important?

Emergency lighting systems help occupants navigate and safely exit the building in a fire or security-related emergency. Emergency lights, exit signs, and panic doors are safety devices that are just as important as fire alarm systems. While the latter communicates a crisis, emergency pathway lights and exits work together to ensure building occupants evacuate safely.

Beyond helping occupants exit safely, emergency exit lighting is required by law for all non-domestic buildings. Let’s briefly review the regulatory requirements for emergency lighting to help you avoid fire protection code violations.

What are the Regulatory Requirements for Emergency Lighting?

According to NFPA Life Safety Code 101, all commercial buildings must have emergency and exit path lighting. NFPA 101 is updated every three years to ensure new and existing facilities offer the best protection from fire and other related hazards for occupants. Since not all jurisdictions accept all the requirements established in each updated code, you should check the rules and regulations set by your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure regulatory compliance.

Related Resource Learn the testing requirements for emergency lighting. Learn More →

Where to Install Emergency Lighting

Buildings that have occupants during any part of the day must have emergency pathway lighting and exit lights. However, there are three exempt structures where emergency lighting is not needed, including:

Buildings that are only occupied during the daylight hours and have enough natural light to provide the required level of illumination to leave. Natural light must illuminate all pathways leading to the exit. The AHJ must approve this situation to be exempt. Structures that are not routinely occupied by people. Towers that are designed for less than three people at a time and provide an escape ladder.

If your buildings do not fall into these exemptions, you must provide a safe way for people to leave using emergency lighting. Some common places emergency or exit lighting should be installed include:

Windowless rooms that are larger than a broom closet

Stairs designated as an emergency exit

Aisles or corridors leading to an exit

Ramps leading to an exit

Escalators leading to an exit

All exit points that lead to an area open to the public

Doors equipped with delayed-egress locks

Doors having new sensor-release electrical locking systems

When to Test an Emergency Lighting System

Since people rely on emergency and exit lights to safely guide them out of dangerous situations, it is essential to ensure the system is functioning correctly by testing it periodically. In fact, without following necessary testing guidelines, you are risking building occupants' safety and violating life safety codes intended to prevent emergency lighting failure. The NFPA 101 permits three options for conducting emergency light testing, including:

Manually test and keep written records Automatically test with self-testing/self-diagnostic battery-operated lighting equipment Automatically test with a computer-based self-testing lighting system

Regardless of the option used for testing your emergency lighting system, it must include a 30-second test every month and a 90-minute test every year. An experienced fire protection company must follow the monthly and yearly maintenance schedule below to ensure emergency and exit lights will work when needed.

Pro Tip To simplify compliance, download the Emergency Lighting Maintenance Schedule for future reference. Learn More →

Maintain Regulatory Compliance with Professional Emergency Lighting Installation

Besides knowing where to install emergency and exit lights, proper installation requirements must also be adhered to. This includes ensuring the lights are appropriately aimed to light the walkway and correctly spaced to avoid overly bright or dark spots. Emergency lighting and exit signs must illuminate in a power outage, which often requires the need for a reliable battery backup. Proper installation, inspection, and maintenance are a must to avoid code violations and costly fines and should be left to trained fire and life safety technicians.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published on October 16, 2020, and has been updated for accuracy and current best practices.

The History of Emergency Lighting

The emergency lighting systems in our homes, businesses, and educational facilities is something that many might take for granted, but they are a critical component of an overall safety plan. Emergency lighting is designed to help alert one in the event of an emergency (such as flashing lights that go off during a fire) and guide occupants safely out of a building and on toward safety (such as emergency floor lights that line hallways).

This use of lights to alert community members of dangers may seem simple and modern, but did you know that it is a type of warning system that stretches back thousands of years? The following is a look at a quick history of emergency lighting and how it has evolved:

The History of Emergency Lighting

The Han dynasty was a great and innovative imperial dynasty of China that ruled between 206 BCE and 220 CE. This dynasty came to power just after the building of the Great Wall of China (built to protect inhabitants from invaders like the Mongols) and hence it was the early task of Han dynasty members to protect and ensure their wall adequately served its purpose.

Because the Great Wall covered such a massive span of distance, it wasn't possible to easily transport men or physical messages across its length. Especially in the event of a sudden attack. So what leaders of this era decided upon was a system of fire signals, both a regular interval signal that would be given to indicate all was well and an emergency signal to indicate the arrival of suspicious people and call for aid. According to historians, if a tower came under attack, pyre attendees were to light two signals to indicate that the enemy numbered 20 or fewer men or three signals to indicate that the enemy numbered 100 or more. This unique emergency lighting system helped both keep the towers safe and helped warn nearby occupants that there may be a danger.

Other cultures used similar emergency lighting to alert of enemy forces, including early United States settlers. Here, the Continental Army (which is the army the 13 colonies fielded together in order to fight the Revolutionary War) kept beacons throughout what is now New York State to warn of impending British movements. You could also go back even further than the Han Dynasty and consider that the very first (known) lighthouse was built in Alexandria, Egypt around 300 BCE and served (as lighthouses do) to warn of bad shores and direct sailors safely to harbor.

Modern Emergency Lighting

Today, we don't really have to worry about the invading Huns nor do many of us sail offshore at night and need to seek out lighthouses, but we do need emergency lighting in our homes and businesses. Today, we associate emergency lighting with those lights that turn on, flash, and alert us of natural dangers like tornados and fires. Once alerted, other types of emergency lighting leads us to safety.

Backup Batteries for Emergency Light Systems

Because situations that typically require emergency lighting also equate to a loss of regular lighting, it is important to have backup batteries for which the emergency lighting can draw power from. Here at MK Battery, we have a number of full system emergency lighting and battery systems in stock and we work with a number of emergency lighting vendors to ensure their clients get the important backup batteries they need to ensure all of their emergency systems are a go in the event of an electrical outage. Contact our team today to learn more.