Emergency lights always come with a separate or independent source of power. As a result, it is possible to keep these lights on even when there is a power failure. It includes lighting for common areas like staircases and the traditional fire exit signs.
Now that we have a basic introduction to emergency lights let us now get into the details about it.
Understanding What Emergency Lights are
Emergency lights are essential in many business and public spaces. These are basic safety measures in emergencies. Emergencies include incidents of fire and power outages. Emergency lights are just lights but these lights feed on a backup power source and illuminate key areas during times when other lights are not working.
Emergency lights keep themselves on even when power goes out. This is possible because these lights have a backup or independent power source. Emergency lights are used to illuminate common areas of a building like staircases. You also see these lights in conventional fire exit signs.
Emergency provides safety benefits for residents in high-rise buildings as well as staff, employees, visitors, and customers in commercial properties. It is even important to install these lights to comply with the regulations. Both businesses and individuals who fail to comply with safety codes by not installing emergency lights properly are likely to face hefty monetary penalties.
As per the guidelines set by the Health and Safety Executive or HSE commercial buildings must have emergency lighting installed. Buildings that do not have the system installed fail to comply with the codes. In the event of a power outage, fire, or any other emergency these lights are supposed to provide a lighted path to an exit.
As far as commercial properties or structures are concerned those should also have fire exit signs. Those fire exit signs must be powered by a reliable source of electricity. If still more illumination is required then that can be provided by light sticks or any other emergency lighting accessories.
The Way Emergency Lights Work
The mechanism of emergency lights is pretty simple. It usually consists of a fixture connected to the power supply mains. The fixture charges a tiny battery. When the power supply to the fixture is stopped the circuit switches over to the backup battery to provide lighting till the time power outage continues.
Emergency lighting can be broadly divided into two categories – namely maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting.
- Maintained emergency lighting is used as a part of both regular everyday business and also at times of power outages. The lights are powered by electric supply mains. Thanks to its battery-powered backup these lights easily keep working without electrical power.
- Non-maintained emergency lights are those that light up only in emergency conditions or when there is a power outage.
Different Types of Emergency Lights or Exit Lights
Three types of emergency lights or exit lights are very common. These include the following –
- Emergency lights – this variety is typically composed of multiple ultra-bright LEDs. These lights are meant for efficiency as well as long-lasting. Even the battery that comes with it to provide illumination during power outages usually lasts years together.
- Exit signs – LED lights are typically used in this variety of emergency lights. These are efficient and come with a battery backup. Usually, you see these lights in red letters and mountable signs although other colors are also available.
- Combination of emergency lights and Exit signs – This variety of emergency lighting systems typically looks like an exit sign along with two bright LED lamps on both sides. These LED lamps are bright and meant to provide illumination during power outages.
Installation of Emergency Lights
Emergency lights belong to a different category altogether because of the importance they bear. This category of lights also requires special care. These must be properly installed and serviced at regular intervals. If you want to install these lights in your property you should first consult with a registered and licensed electrician. The electrician will make you aware of all the safety procedures related to these lights that you must follow. It is better to have a professional install the fixtures for you. While installing the fixtures it is important to follow the instructions printed on the package.
Emergency lighting remains connected to the electrical wiring of a property. But it is designed in a way so that it automatically switches over to battery power when an outage occurs or a circuit breaker trips. Before installing an emergency light it is important to make sure that the electrical circuit of the property is switched off. This is important to avoid risks of electric shock.
Mounting emergency lights can be done in two ways. Usually, these are fixed (or partially fixed in many cases) to the wall or ceiling and then it is connected to the existing electrical wiring. The lights come with either holes for screws or mounting brackets. If you get the one with screws in that case you have to drill into the wall to make the fixture explains an emergency lighting installation expert in London.
Installation of Wall-Mounting Emergency Lights
- While installing wall-mounting emergency lights you should take out the mounting pattern cutouts from the back plate. This allows the wires to pass through easily.
- Place the bushing that comes with the light into the wire holes. These thin hollow tubes are actually insulators. These allow electricity to pass through without making any contact with the fixture.
A few important installation tips
While installing emergency lights you should consider the LED variety over halogen and incandescent varieties. The LED ones have a much longer lifespan.
It is important to first plot the escape route inside your property. Then you can place the emergency lights at strategic locations to help people with the fastest route for evacuation.
It is a good idea to hire a fire protection company to provide you with sound advice based on the particular layout of the space. These professionals can also help you with complying with the rules and regulations. Professionals experienced in emergency lighting fitting suggest you should have a fire protection company to provide routine inspection of the emergency lights. This ensures the lighting is fully operational and there is no breach of compliance.
