| Emergency lighting is primarily intended to provide | | | | room in which persons at work are specifically |
| sufficient illumination to enable people to navigate | | | | exposed to danger in the event of failure of |
| their way safely out of a building in cases of | | | | artificial lighting. |
| emergency. | | | | BS 5266 specifies that luminaires are positioned: |
| Categories of Emergency Lighting | | | | Along escape routes |
| Emergency Escape Lighting | | | | At every change in direction |
| Escape Route Lighting - this is most likely to | | | | Adjacent to any step or trip hazard |
| be used in the event of fire. It helps people | | | | Over every flight of stairs so each step |
| evacuate a building as quickly as possible. | | | | receives direct light |
| High Risk Task Area Lighting - In hazardous | | | | Close to fire fighting equipment and call points |
| areas where dangerous processes or situations | | | | Close to any first aid points |
| need to be monitored, it is essential that lighting | | | | Outside every final exit |
| systems are designed to the specific needs of | | | | BS 5266 puts additional significance on the |
| the environment. | | | | importance of regular testing of lighting equipment. |
| Open Area (Anti Panic) Lighting - To avoid | | | | 6 things you should know about Emergency |
| panic in large open areas, lighting must provide | | | | Lighting before buying low cost options |
| sufficient light to feel safe and evacuate the | | | | 1.Emergency lights is a life safety system, |
| building by the nearest escape route. | | | | designed to save lives and prevent serious injury. |
| Standby Lighting - This is used to cater for | | | | 2.To comply with the law, employers and building |
| mains failure and allows normal work process to | | | | operators must provide sufficient, effective |
| continue. | | | | lighting to enable safe evacuation. |
| BS 5266, the code of practice for the emergency | | | | 3.If the emergency lighting fails to function, then it |
| lighting of premises, offers simple guidance on the | | | | will have safety and legal implications. Corporations |
| positioning of emergency luminaires, minimum | | | | and responsible individuals can be prosecuted if |
| height levels, acceptable glare levels, together with | | | | lighting fails to function effectively. |
| minimum routine testing schedules. Also note that | | | | 4.For lighting to be legally compliant, it must be |
| the local Fire Authority must approve all | | | | adequate. Minimum performance levels must be |
| mandatory schemes. | | | | achieved, schemes cannot be correctly planned or |
| BS 5266 enforces the provision of lighting for | | | | assessed without accurate performance details |
| public buildings such as: | | | | for the specific emergency luminaires to be used. |
| Leisure centres | | | | 5.The law demands that emergency lights are |
| Theatres | | | | regularly tested and kept in good working order. |
| Cinemas | | | | Components such as batteries and lamps have a |
| Nightclubs/Pubs | | | | finite life. With cheaper luminaires the life of these |
| Hotels/Restaurants | | | | items is shorter. |
| Retail stores | | | | 6.If a product is kitemarked you can be confident |
| There is also a legal requirement that: | | | | that a product is safe, built from quality |
| Every workplace shall have suitable and sufficient | | | | components and that accurate photometric data |
| emergency lighting and that suitable and sufficient | | | | is available. Random audits are carried out to |
| lighting shall be provided and maintained in any | | | | ensure consistent high quality. |