Today, most commercial and residential buildings require exit and emergency lighting, which will guide occupants and guests safely out of the building in case of an emergency. As the building manager, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of the patrons within your building during crisis situations. The right lighting provides you with the peace of mind that occupants and visitors can reach safety at any time.
Australian Standards specify where Emergency and Exit lights should be installed in your buildings, including all common areas, escape routes and exit lights to illuminate potential hazards and create a clear path for evacuation. An exit and emergency light electrician can optimise your lighting system to minimise electrical and maintenance costs whilst keeping people safe.
Our specialised emergency lighting electricians can advise you on the best arrangement for your building. For more information, speak to our friendly team of certified electricians on 0411 537 459.
What are the three main types of emergency lighting?
- Maintained – lights that are continuously on and are powered from a backup battery when the power goes out
- Non-maintained – not active during non-emergency periods, activates during outages
- Sustained (or combined) – two components; one is powered via the primary power source, and the other is activated only if the primary power source fails
What is the difference between Maintained & Non-Maintained Emergency Lights?
Non-maintained emergency lights turn on only during a power failure. These emergency lights are often powered via a battery that can charge itself through its own power supply.
Maintained emergency light illuminates continuously and continues to operate during a power failure, enabling them to function as both a standard light and an emergency light. The maintained fittings can be controlled by a lighting controller (such as a switch), and they can be left permanently on, or they can only be operated in case of power failure. Maintained lights are most often used where groups of people meet, for example, at a cinema or event space. These lights prevent complete darkness, and the emergency lights are designed to still work despite a power cut.
Which do I need, maintained or non-maintained emergency lights?
In cases where constant lighting is required, a maintained emergency light makes more sense because only one light is required. However, if the room does not require continuous lighting, then a non-maintained light is sufficient.
Is there a benefit to using a sustained emergency light?
Sustained emergency lights were developed because globes in maintained lighting would fail after prolonged use. Using a sustained light ensured you were always sure of your lighting when you needed it. However, sustained emergency lights are slowly being phased out in favour of LED lights to improve durability and minimise power costs.
What are the benefits of LED Emergency Lighting?
Due to its energy-saving benefits, LED emergency lighting is becoming increasingly popular. In addition to their popularity as LED downlights, battery-powered emergency options have been utilised for emergency lighting in case of power outages. LED lights are both a long-lasting and cost-saving option for your emergency lighting needs.
What are the types of exit lights?
The three types of exit light signs are as follows. The type chosen depends on how visible they need to be and how much light is present in the room.
- Standard internally illuminated exit lighting
- Low illuminance area exit lighting
- Externally illuminated exit lighting
Where should exit lights be placed?
The exit lighting should be placed at a height of at least 2 metres above ground level and no higher than 2.7 metres above ground level or directly above the doorway if the doorway is above 2.7 metres tall. An exit lighting sign must be visible to a person within the applicable viewing distance and looking at the relevant door or along the appropriate exit route.
It is essential to make sure your emergency lighting and exit lighting meet Australian Standards AS 2293.1 and 2293.3. QEL can provide more information on how to comply with the requirements and to ensure your residents are safe. Contact us today at 0411 537 459 for more information about our exit light service or a free quote.