Emergency Lighting

For most premises, emergency escape lighting should run for at least 3 hours after a power failure, which is the standard duration under BS 5266-1. A 1-hour duration is only acceptable in some low-risk premises that are evacuated immediately and not reoccupied until the supply is restored. Follow your fire risk assessment and lighting design.

Maintained emergency lights are designed so that the fittings will be lit continuously every day, and throughout a power failure. This allows pathways and emergency exits to be illuminated and clearly visible before and throughout a power cut, guiding people to a safe and speedy exit. Maintained emergency lights are popular for the likes of cinemas and theatres.

Non-maintained emergency lights are designed to turn on instantly in the event of a power failure. This system is usually favoured by owners of the premises, with non-maintained emergency lights using less energy, as they only switch on in an emergency. This allows the owner of the premises to save on electricity bills.

Our most popular emergency fitting is the Kosnic 5W IP65 LED Emergency Bulkhead and Sign. The LED Emergency Exit Sign or Emergency Bulkhead Luminaire is a self-contained, multi-purpose, non-maintained or maintained 3-hour emergency exit sign or emergency luminaire solution. With an IP65 rating, the fitting can be used for internal and external emergency lighting systems. It is supplied with adaptable self-adhesive graphics that can be arranged to indicate escape routes, as necessary.

Indicator lights vary by manufacturer, so always check the fitting’s instructions. On many fittings a steady green light means the battery is charging normally, while a red or flashing light signals a fault, such as a failed battery or lamp, or a failed self-test. Faulty fittings should be repaired or replaced and the fault recorded in the emergency lighting log book.

Emergency escape lighting is essential in many areas and should normally cover the following:

• Exit Doors
• Escape Routes
• Stairways
• Intersection of corridors
• Toilets & rooms with no windows
• Firefighting equipment
• Fire alarm points
• Equipment that needs turned off in an emergency
• Changes in floor level

Emergency lighting provides a backup light source for at least 3 hours, in the event of an emergency. In most cases, the loss of power leads to complete darkness, resulting in possible danger for the occupants in the building. Emergency lighting operates automatically and outputs a sufficient level of light to help all occupants locate the exits and evacuate the building safely.

Non-maintained emergency lights are usually the cheapest to run, because they only light up when the mains supply fails. Maintained fittings stay lit all the time and suit cinemas, theatres and other places where people gather in low light. Many modern fittings are switchable, so electricians can set them as maintained or non-maintained on site to suit the area.

Most non-domestic premises, including workplaces, shops, offices, hotels and buildings open to the public, need emergency escape lighting under fire safety legislation in the UK and Ireland. The fire risk assessment for the building decides where it is needed and what duration is required, with design and testing usually following BS 5266-1.

Self-test emergency lights automatically test themselves to ensure that the battery and lamp in each fitting is fully operational. This removes the hassle of your monthly and annual tests.

There are two types of emergency lighting tests. The first is a short functional test that needs to be carried out monthly. The second emergency test is a fully rated duration test that needs to be carried out annually.

The monthly emergency lighting test is a short functional test in accordance with British and Irish standards to check everything is functioning correctly. This test is also known as an emergency key switch test.

When the key is switched, the power going to the emergency lights will be cut off. The emergency lighting should then light up immediately. You need to make sure the fittings are clearly visible and show no signs of damage or faults.

An annual test is required for emergency lighting systems. This should be a fully rated duration test to ensure that all fittings working correctly and produce the required amount of light in the event of an emergency. The emergency lights should provide a backup for at least 3 hours.

DALI emergency lighting uses fittings or modules that connect to a DALI or DALI-2 control bus, allowing tests to be scheduled and results reported to a central controller or monitoring system. Faults such as failed batteries or lamps can then be identified without walking the building. Kosnic offers DALI-2 exit signs and emergency modules. The control system must be compatible with the emergency devices used.

Often yes, by fitting an emergency module and battery approved for that luminaire. Modules such as the Kosnic UEM Pro universal module, or range-specific packs for battens, high bays and LED DD lamps, keep the fitting lit at reduced output during a mains failure. Compatibility depends on the driver and LED load, so check the module manufacturer's guidance and fit it in line with the instructions.

A test switch, usually a key-operated switch, lets you interrupt the permanent supply to emergency fittings to simulate a power failure without switching off the normal lighting circuit. It makes routine testing quicker and keeps it in the hands of authorised staff. Install one per circuit or area as the design requires, and follow current wiring regulations and the manufacturer's instructions.