Emergency Lighting Guide: Types, Requirements & Applications
Emergency Lighting: General Overview
Emergency lighting is designed to activate when normal lighting fails, ensuring illuminated pathways for safe evacuation and highlighting key areas for personal safety. It must automatically turn on within 0.5 seconds of a power outage.
Technical Building Code Requirements
According to the Technical Building Code, emergency lighting for evacuation routes must provide at least 50% of the required light level within 5 seconds of a power failure and 100% within 60 seconds. The system must maintain functionality for at least one hour.
Types of Emergency Lighting
There are two main types of emergency lighting:
- Security Lighting: Ensures safe evacuation or interruption of hazardous work.
- Lighting Replacement: Allows for the continuation of work safely when normal lighting is unavailable.
Security Lighting
Security lighting activates automatically when normal lighting fails or when the voltage drops below 70% of its nominal value. It is categorized into three types:
- Evacuation Lighting: Illuminates evacuation routes and exits, providing a minimum of 1 lux at ground level.
- Ambient or Anti-Panic Lighting: Provides sufficient visibility to locate evacuation routes and identify obstacles, with a minimum illumination of 0.5 lux.
- High-Risk Area Lighting: Enables individuals in hazardous environments to safely discontinue work, providing a minimum of 15 lux or 10% of normal lighting, whichever is greater.
Evacuation Lighting
Evacuation lighting must operate for at least one hour and ensure that escape routes are always illuminated. In areas where normal lighting may be switched off, emergency lighting should be provided.
Evacuation Routes
Evacuation routes encompass corridors, stairwells, ramps, and other designated pathways leading to building exits. The Technical Building Code defines specific requirements for these routes.
Ambient or Anti-Panic Lighting
Anti-panic lighting operates for at least one hour and helps prevent panic by providing adequate visibility. It is recommended to install lighting fixtures at least 2 meters above the ground.
High-Risk Area Lighting
High-risk area lighting ensures the safety of individuals working in potentially hazardous environments. It must operate long enough to allow for safe shutdown and evacuation.
Lighting Replacement
Lighting replacement allows for the continuation of work safely when normal lighting is unavailable. It is required in areas where a minimum illumination of 5 lux is necessary. In critical areas like operating rooms and intensive care units, it should provide a level of illumination equal to normal lighting.
Installation Requirements
Power Supply
Security lighting must be automatically fed from independent power sources to ensure adequate power for the required duration. This can be achieved through autonomous or centralized systems.
Types of Lamps
Emergency luminaires can be categorized based on their power supply:
- Local: Each luminaire has its own internal power source.
- Centralized: Multiple luminaires are powered by a central power source.
They can also be categorized based on their operation:
- Non-Permanent: Only operate during a power outage.
- Combined: Contain multiple sets of lights, with at least one powered by backup power.
- Permanent: Operate continuously, both with normal power and backup power.
Autonomous Emergency Lighting
Autonomous emergency luminaires contain their own power source and control circuits, including a battery, charger, and automatic transfer switch.
Centralized Emergency Lighting
Centralized emergency lighting systems consist of multiple luminaires connected to an independent power source and controlled by a central computer.
Beacon Pilot Lighting
Beacon pilot lighting is required in entertainment venues and recreational activities to illuminate stairwells and ramps. These can be centralized or autonomous.
This comprehensive guide provides an overview of emergency lighting requirements, types, and applications. By understanding these aspects, you can ensure the safety and well-being of occupants in the event of a power outage.