Emergency Lamps

Types of Emergency Lighting

June 14,2023

Emergency Exit Lights

What are emergency exit lights?

Emergency exit lights are designed to guide people to safety during an emergency. Emergency exit lights are a stand-alone system, which means they will stay lit during a power failure. Emergency exit lights are a vital part of the security of any property – the reliability and visibility cannot be compromised for any reason. By designing and manufacturing both the electronic components and the emergency exit light end products on our own factory in Finland, we can be sure that all of our emergency exit lights are designed and tested without compromises to meet the high standards required of them.

Teknoware’s emergency exit light products

With more than 40 years of experience, Teknoware offers a comprehensive variety of emergency exit lights, suitable for virtually any location. There are, for example, robust emergency exit lights designed for demanding environments such as subway tunnels, and large high performance emergency exit lights that are sufficiently visible from distances up to 120 meters.

By using the latest LED technology, we have also been able to design emergency exit lights that meet the high standards set to them, but also look stylish and discreet, such as an emergency exit light with a silvery metal frame, or a recessed emergency exit light that leaves only a thin glassy light plate visible.

Self-contained or centrally supplied emergency exit lights?

We offer both self-contained and centrally supplied emergency exit lights. Self-contained emergency exit lights contain their own backup power source such as a battery or super capacitor, and a variety of additional features, such as wireless monitoring or self-testing. Self-contained emergency exit lights can be used in smaller properties, or by combining super-capacitor technology and wireless monitoring, in virtually any location. With these technologies, modern high performance emergency exit lights can be used, for example, in a renovation project while minimizing the need for additional cabling.

Centrally supplied emergency exit lights require a central battery unit. These systems can vary from relatively small ones containing only a centrally operating battery unit without additional features, to addressable central battery systems with remote monitoring, automatic testing and a wide range of other optional features.

Exit Signs. Emergency Lighting. What's the Difference?

You are probably unconsciously familiar with both emergency and exit lighting, but they are not the same thing. Both are vital to maintaining the safety of your business.

Exit Signs

An exit sign is a sign found in all commercial buildings and many high occupancy residential buildings. It indicates the closest safe exit in case of an emergency. Exit signs are required to be immediately recognizable and understandable to everyone. It is required to be permanently lit so as to be visible under all environmental conditions.

Throughout the world, exit signs follow the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and use a green pictogram of a figure running and an arrow in the direction of the exit. They may also have text in the local language indicating an exit.

In the United States, exit signs are usually lit with an energy efficient high end light with contrasting red and white, spelling "EXIT". Several large municipalities, as well as international companies within the United States, have also begun to incorporate the ISO "running man" exit signs to better communicate safe exits for international visitors.

Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting is a lighting device that switches on automatically during a blackout. As it is separate from the regular power source, emergency lights are often powered by a battery or generator system.

Modern emergency lighting is installed in nearly all commercial buildings, as well as high occupancy residential buildings. Emergency lighting helps individuals find and resolve the cause of the power outage, or to safely evacuate the building.

With the advances in technology and design, exit signs and emergency lighting are often paired together. In addition to this pairing, there is also the possibility of having lights non-maintained (functioning in the event of a power outage) or maintained (continuously lit, but still functioning in the event of a power outage).

Regulations for Exit and Emergency Lighting

While building owners and property managers will follow all codes for installing exit signs and emergency lighting from the myriad of options available, seldom do they think about having these systems tested.

The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the International Fire Code (IFC) require commercial and some residential buildings to have and regularly test exit and emergency lighting. These regulations are to ensure the safety of the building, its contents, and anyone within. These codes cover multiple aspects for emergency preparedness: proper signage, adequate lighting, correct wiring, regular inspection, and periodic testing of the system.

Without regular testing, building owners may face serious liabilities and fines. Contact Pye Barker Fire Safety to discuss your exit sign and emergency lighting needs and system testing.

Types of Emergency Lighting

What is Emergency Lighting?

Emergency lighting is battery powered lighting which will switch on and illuminate when the power is cut from the mains. This is usually for the people inside the building to find their way out of the building in a safe manner. Emergency lighting regulations now exist in the UK which mean all-new larger buildings must have the correct emergency lighting fitted whilst older buildings must retro-fit emergency lighting to ensure the building is as safe as possible.

What Types Of Emergency Lighting Are There?

There are a variety of different types of emergency lights which are available to suit whatever lighting needs you may have. The most traditional type of emergency lighting is the internal and external bulkhead emergency fittings. These usually have a polycarbonate body and tray which houses all the components and most of these will operate for three hours without any mains power and will recharge when the mains power has been restored.

Fire Emergency Lights

Another very popular type of emergency lighting is the illuminated fire exit signs which light up to show you where the exits are. There are a number of different types of fire signage that can be illuminated using emergency lighting.

LED Emergency Lighting

LED emergency lighting is now starting to become very popular thanks to its energy-saving benefits. LED downlights are also a newer addition to the market over the last few years and there is an emergency option available with comes complete with battery pack should the mains power cut. 1-watt and 3-watt version are available producing over 75 lumens of light.

It is also vitally important to replace batteries as soon as they are no longer working correctly.

What is the difference between Maintained & Non-Maintained Emergency Lights?

When looking for the emergency lighting fitting you require, you are likely to come across the terms ‘maintained’ and ‘non-maintained’. These phrases are terminology usually associated with types of emergency lighting products, but what is the difference?

Maintained fittings are ones which can be operated with a lighting controller (such as a switch) and can be left permanently on or can just operate when there is a power cut. Maintained lights are often used where groups of people meet, for example, a cinema. These lights prevent complete darkness and the emergency lights are designed to still work despite a power cut.

Non maintained fittings will not illuminate unless there is a power cut. These types of emergency lights are often powered via a battery which can charge itself through its own power supply.

Both of these types of emergency lights require consistent rigorous testing by a lighting professional to ensure they meet the safety requirements for the buildings they occupy.

What are the differences between LED and standard bulkheads?

LED

LEDs are more efficient than incandescent bulbs

They waste very little energy

They can light up quickly and can be turned on and off frequently

LEDs are less fragile and have longer lifespans

They are less toxic because they do not contain mercury

Standard Bulkheads

Standard wiring material may be used.

Failure of mains supply due to cable burn-through will automatically satisfy the requirement for a luminaire to be lit

Low maintenance costs – periodic test and general cleaning only required

Low hardware equipment costs – no requirement for extended wiring, special ventilation etc.