An emergency light is a direct current, battery-packed lighting device that switches on automatically when a primary power supply fails. An Emergency Lighting is usually placed on the emergency exit to provide a clear path during evacuation.
How Does Emergency Light Work?
When incidents like fire or an earthquake hit a building, it causes a power outage. Here, emergency lighting can immediately activate the battery. Later, it will charge up the emergency light for three hours. This can provide enough time to ensure that everyone inside the building can safely find their way.
Once the regular power is switched on, the emergency lights will recharge until it needs to be used again. The emergency lights are mostly placed above exit signs, exit doors, escape routes, fire safety equipment and stairways.
Why Is Emergency Lighting Important?
Emergency lights are important assets that provide effective fire safety in an area. For example: when there is a fire, and the power supply goes off, there is a reason to panic. Since thick smoke fills up the area, finding a way out of the building with proper lighting. But with the use of an emergency light, one can be safely and effectively guided out of the building.
One might also need to consider obstructions in evacuated areas. Emergency lighting is important as it helps illuminate the way and prevents any obstacles. This way, many people can also be saved from potential injury.
Types Of Emergency Lighting Systems
There are many types of emergency lighting systems for one to choose from:
• Escape route lighting
This lighting is also called bulkhead lighting and helps to provide a safe and fast route towards a fire exit. The lights are mostly found in the ceiling by which they illuminate the way and help avoid any obstacles.
• Open area emergency lighting
In some countries, this type of emergency lighting is also known as anti-panic lighting. The main purpose of this emergency lighting is to reduce panic and stress. It also provides light for tenants to reach an escape route and exit safely.
The open area emergency lights are placed in public areas of a building so that there is enough light when there is an evacuation of occupants.
• Standby lighting
This type of lighting can supply adequate light to ensure there is no interruption of normal activities during a power cut. An emergency generator helps in providing standby lighting.
• High-risk task area lighting
This type of lighting is required for factories and other industrial buildings. The workers who perform high-risk activities like operating machines or working with tools need to see their work before shutting the equipment. Without this lighting, there can be hazards when the power goes out. The workers would be unable to see themselves properly; this can lead to an injury for the worker or from others.
Why Are Emergency And Exit Lighting Required In Public Buildings
An emergency light is necessary as per the law for public buildings. However, besides regulatory needs, there are other important reasons why emergency lighting is needed in business premises. Some reasons are:
• An instant lighting effect helps rescue tension
An emergency lighting remains powered on even after the power source of the building is disconnected. Due to this, chances of initial confusion in darkness due to a fire emergency is removed.
• It is of great use for fire responders
Fire responders need to move through various buildings during emergencies. While they could be calm in the process, they might not know how to navigate through buildings to save people. Therefore, one needs to ensure that a building has emergency lighting that can help them move quickly.
• It helps to reduce panic and stress
The darkness during a fire can make people panic, which could develop an unknown fear that could be hazardous. During an emergency, the confusion caused by darkness could lead to death, stampede, or injuries.
However, with proper lighting, people can be more coordinated and quickly find their way through danger. Buildings need to have emergency lighting in the following areas-
1. Escape routes
2. Individual exit doors
3. Corridor intersections
4. Emergency escape signs
5. Outside every final exit and on the external escape routes
6. Stairways where there are changes in floor levels
7. Rooms that do not have a window and toilet accommodations that exceed 8m2
8. Lifts
9. Equipment needed to be shut down in an emergency
10. Areas in premises that are greater than 60m2
Ending Note
As discussed, it is important to have emergency lighting in buildings. This could help make things easier while escaping a building during an emergency.
The emergency lights could also be of great use while there is a shortage of power supply. Different emergency lights help people in various working fields, and proper lighting is needed as an emergency light.
People can check out Tocor LED lighting to provide the best emergency lights for their building. The store has several LED and CFL bulbs that provide good illumination needed in emergency times.
