Emergency Lighting Units and Remotes

The legal requirements for emergency lighting include exit signs no further than 100 feet from any point on a path of egress. Additionally, they must be placed over every door and turn in the path of egress. The MINIMUM illumination requirement has three criteria: 1 footcandle average, .1 footcandle minimum, cannot exceed a 40:1 max/min ratio.

Emergency Lighting is required for every building type except single family dwellings. In these buildings it is required for the path of egress that will typically include stairs, aisles, corridors, ramps, walkways, parking lots, escalators, exit passages, and outdoor pathways.

Exit signs have been LED for many years and are typically monochromatic red or green, but in some cases a white LED source is used. For emergency lighting units, most of the portfolio is now available with an LED source.

What emergency lighting products are available with an LED light source?

What environments can emergency lighting be used in and what are the typical temperature ranges?

Emergency lighting products are made for commercial indoor, industrial, and outdoor environments. Commercial indoor products are typically damp location standard with a temperature range of 10-40°C. Industrial products are typically damp, wet, NEMA4X, and hazardous rated with standard temperature ranges of 0-50°C with some covering -30°C to +50°C with a cold weather option. Outdoor products are wet rated with standard temperature ranges of 0-50°C with some covering -30°C to +50°C with a cold weather option.

Emergency lighting principles: safety and security on the path of egress — AimLite

Most of us take light for granted. It has become so ubiquitous and cheap to use that we don’t really stop to think about emergencies. Thankfully most buildings are required by law since 1974 to be equipped with emergency lighting that automatically activates during power failures to facilitate our exit.

Emergency lighting is only one component of a building’s life safety systems, but perhaps one of the most important. It provides a minimum level of visibility to help direct the building’s occupants safely out of it. Moreover, it also helps personnel and emergency responders locate safety equipment, perform safety functions, or shut down hazardous equipment or operations.

Requirements for emergency lighting differ from facility to facility, but we will attempt to shed some light on the subject so you can better be acquainted with the emergency lighting category.

About emergency lighting

An emergency light is, in its most simple definition, a battery-backed lighting device that switches on automatically when a building experiences a power outage or when a lighting circuit fails.

Emergency lighting is mandated by federal, provincial and/or association codes and criteria. These are borne out of those collective governing bodies’ desire to achieve safety and security on the path of egress, in residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Path of egress refers to a continuous and unobstructed way to exit a building, structure or space. Buildings or portions of buildings thereof must, in accordance with various safety codes, have a sufficient amount of lighting on paths of egress. These must be maintained and well-lit in the random event of an emergency. The lighting used in these emergency exit paths must also fit certain codes.

Emergency lighting other than emergency signs must provide an average level of illumination of 10 lx or 1 foot candle t cannot be less than 1 lx or .1 foot candles (luminous flux per unit area) at floor or tread level in places such as exit ways, principal exit routes, corridors serving the public, underground walkways, and more.

How does emergency lighting work?

When power is lost, AC power is therefore lost, so the backup battery unit turns on and transfers power to the lighting system (this is called DC power). When AC power is restored, the emergency lighting batteries must be fully charged within 24 hours.

The National Fire Code of Canada (FCC) requires that emergency lighting be tested for one minute each month and once a year a full discharge for 30 minutes (repeated 24 hours later)

The reason is simple, cyclic operation is required for all batteries; otherwise it will probably not work when the time comes. It’s proven that non cycled batteries have a lifespan of no more than 3 years, whereas regularly cycled batteries have a minimum lifespan of 7 years. Most battery units can comprise an auto-test function to facilitate meeting code requirement. The 30-minute discharge test is intended to simulate an emergency situation in accordance with FCC requirements. The second 30-minute discharge test performed 24 hours later aims to ensure that the product is ready in case of power failure CSA requires all emergency power supplies to be fully charged in less than 24 hours.

About exit signs

An exit sign is a device used in any public facility. It denotes the location of the closest emergency exit in case of a fire or other emergency. It has to be powered, show the exit direct, and can be mounted in various ways depending on preferences or location (ceiling mounting, recessed mounting, end mounting, wall mounting or pendant mounting).

There are different types of emergency exit signs, depending on environment and application.

Electrical signs include:

Non-electrical signs include:

Currently, new constructions are required by code to install the new green running man signs, consisting of a green and white pictogram and arrow, which display the direction of the exit. Older constructions are required to gradually update the old red exit text signs to the running man ones, to conform to the 2015 National Building Code.

Every exit sign must be visible from a distance of 100 feet and on approach of the exit. It can be internally or externally illuminated, in conformance with their respective codes. Internally illuminated signs are powered by an electrical circuit. Externally illuminated signs are not powered by an electrical circuit, but by regular luminaires and must maintain 5’ candle per legend 24/7.

The breaker serving emergency signs cannot light anything else but the sign it was wired for. It must also be connected to an emergency power supply at all times and remain ON even when there is no AC power failure. In short signs must be on a dedicated breaker.

AC/DC

No, we’re not referring to the 80’s band! AC/DC refers to the current that powers the emergency light.

The abbreviations are defined as follows:

AC = alternating current (hydro)

DC = direct current (batteries)

Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electrical energy that consumers typically use when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans and electric lamps into a wall socket.

Direct current (DC) is constantly self-powered, such as with a battery, so that the current (voltage) is always constant, with no dips or spikes.

Normally on/off

“Normally on” means the unit is on all the time, 24/7. It is active when AC power is present or when DC power kicks in. Exit signs are always “normally on”.

“Normally off” means the unit is off when AC power is running, but turns on when DC power kicks in. Remote heads are usually “normally off”.

Types of Emergency Lighting

Traditional

Battery units utilizing sealed lead batteries in various configurations to give 6vdc, 12vdc or 24vdc output to normally off remote heads when AC power is lost to the panel they are connected to.

Battery packs will operate to a maximum of 120 minutes to the minimum required by code of 30 minutes.

Inverters

There are two types of inverters:

IPS interruptible power supply…in short standby system non instant transfer.

UPS Inverters uninterruptible power supply…in short no break load. Maintains 1 cycle of load 24/7 unnoticeable transfer.

Both types work off of batteries IPS (mini inverters up to 1440w) utilizes a 12vdc or 24vdc battery source and converts to 120vac for a minimum of 30 minutes with one single circuit allowing regular luminaries to be lit 100% normally on and during a power failure.

UPS Inverters work utilizing 10 12vdc batteries in series to handle normally on loads up to 55kw in single phase or 3 phase applications (loads may vary pending on which phase using).

Inverters are a continuous AC supply and are a single point of service for large commercial, industrial and institutional projects.

To learn more about our inverters, check our Inverters Brochure.

Generators

No batteries required but a backup of diesel or propane tanks are needed to fuel this stand by system which will back up critical lighting and signage in case of a power outage.

The transfer time varies on these 120v or 347v systems but normally is 10-16 seconds pending on loads and age of systems.

These systems are generally used in large condos and industrial jobs.

In conclusion

As we’ve seen, there are many things that make the emergency lighting category particular. We looked at emergency light principles and codes, how it functions, the exit signs subcategory (including electrical and non-electrical signs), and what AC/DC and normally on/off mean. We hope we were able to enlighten you on the subject and that it will help you on your next emergency lighting project.

Where To Install Emergency Lights & Exit Signs?

Where Should Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs Be Installed?

As with most safety equipment, you don’t fully appreciate emergency lighting and exit signs until you need them. They are intended to illuminate the path in a building that leads to the exit, ensuring people can tell what doors to use to evacuate safely from individual rooms and ultimately the entire building.

It’s easy to grasp the importance of emergency lights and exit signs, but do you know where to install them in your building? If you’re in the midst of a new construction project or you’re making extensive changes to your commercial building’s interior, make sure you follow the applicable rules and regulations regarding emergency lighting installation.

Need emergency lighting and exit sign services for your business? Call Unifour Fire & Safety today at 866-511-5540 or contact us online!

Agencies & Codes that Govern Emergency Lighting & Exit Sign Requirements

Several regulatory bodies have established codes that govern the installation, inspection, and testing of emergency lighting and exit signs. These include:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)

International Fire Code

International Building Code

In addition to these national codes, there are often local requirements that apply to individual jurisdictions. Chicago and New York City, for example, have their own unique codes for emergency lighting and exit signs. If you’re unsure about the local requirements in your city, reach out to the fire marshal or a fire safety inspector.

Need guidance on your emergency light and exit requirements for your commercial building? Contact Unifour Fire & Safety today!

Emergency Lighting & Exit Sign Requirements

As you choose different emergency lights and exit signs and determine their proper installation locations, keep the requirements from OSHA 1910.37(b) and NFPA 101 Life Safety Code in mind.

Where Should You Install Emergency Lighting?

When planning your emergency lighting installation, you’ll want to be aware that:

Commercial, industrial, institutional, educational, religious, medical, and many other building types generally require emergency lighting.

All exit routes in a building—including hallways, stairwells, and corridors—must be illuminated with emergency backup lights so anyone with normal vision can see the path to the exit.

Internal rooms, bathrooms, and storage areas larger than a broom closet have no windows and therefore require emergency lighting.

Emergency light fixtures must be spaced correctly to prevent excessively bright and dark spots.

Sometimes, allowances can be made for areas with large windows that supply a high level of natural light.

Remember, lights must be aimed appropriately to illuminate the walkway. Bulbs that point toward the ceiling or wall don’t meet code requirements, even if they’re installed in the proper locations.

Where Should You Install Exit Signs?

When installing exit signs in your building, you’ll want to keep the following in mind:

Each door exiting into a hallway that leads to the primary building exit must be clearly noticeable and marked with a sign that reads “Exit.”

Exit signs must be illuminated at all times and include a backup battery for continued illumination in case of a power outage. The sign must consist of plain, legible letters and be a distinctive color that stands out from the background.

All exit route doors must lack furnishings, decorations, or equipment that obscure the exit or the exit sign.

The line-of-sight to an exit sign must be unobstructed at all times. If a hallway turns, additional exit signs with directional indicators must be installed to show the way to the nearest exit.

If the direction of travel is not obvious, signs must be installed along the exit path showing the direction of the nearest exit.

Doors that could easily be mistaken for an exit along the exit route must be marked “Not an Exit,” “No Exit,” or have a sign indicating the room’s use (closet, storage, etc.).

It’s also important to know that you’ll want to schedule annual emergency lighting inspections to ensure your lights remain up to code and are repaired or replaced as necessary.

Unifour’s Emergency & Exit Lighting Services in the Southeast

Since 1984, we have been the company to call for emergency and exit lighting services for businesses, organizations, and restaurants. One of the main reasons your neighbors have been trusting Unifour Fire & Safety for over 30 years is because we are a one-stop shop for fire protection services in the Southeast.

If you have questions about your emergency lights or current fire protection systems, contact us today at ​866-511-5540.

Unifour Fire & Safety Provides Emergency Lighting Services & Fire Protection in: Eastern Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.