ICEL Emergency Lighting Guide
The Building Safety Act 2022 significantly increases the penalty for breaching building regulations to an unlimited fine (previously maximum of £5,000, or a max daily fine of £50), and/or imprisonment of up to two years. Also, the time limit for bringing enforcement action against non-compliant works is extended from one to ten years.
KEY SECTIONS
What is emergency Lighting
Emergency lighting refers to the illumination systems that activate when the primary lighting fails or becomes insufficient. Emergency lighting is a critical safety feature within a buildings design. It should provide illumination during power outages, fires, or other emergencies that may disrupt normal lighting. Its primary purpose is to ensure safe evacuation, assist in emergency response, and minimize confusion or panic during a crisis. The emergency lighting should:
Guide occupants to exits
Help people navigate safely to exits and avoid hazards.
Facilitate emergency response
Aid first responders in assessing and addressing emergency situations.
Maintain visibility
Prevent panic and accidents by providing a clear path and visibility in dark or smoke-filled environments.
Different types of emergency lighting
Maintained Emergency Lighting
Maintained emergency lighting is a type of emergency lighting that remains operational at all times, both during normal power and during a power failure. The lights are continuously on, providing illumination in the area even when there’s no emergency. During Power Failure: If the main power supply fails, the maintained emergency lights will continue to operate, typically powered by internal batteries.
Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting
Non-maintained emergency lighting is designed to come on only during a power failure. It remains off under normal conditions and activates solely when the main power supply is interrupted. The lights are off, and the emergency lighting circuits are inactive. During Power Failure the emergency lights switch on automatically, using batteries to provide illumination.
Self-contained emergency luminaire
Self-contained emergency lighting is connected to the normal mains power. In the event of an emergency the luminaire switches over to a battery located in the actual luminaire. As such, each luminaire has its own battery or Electric Source for Safety Services (ESSS).
Central Battery Systems
Central battery systems involve a centralised battery bank that powers emergency lighting across a whole building or multiple buildings from a single location. The central battery system is charged and maintained through the building’s power supply. During Power Failure the battery system discharges power to various emergency lights distributed throughout the building.
Emergency Escape Signs
An emergency exit sign is a safety device designed to indicate the location of the nearest exit in a building or facility during an emergency. The sign is usually positioned above doorways or along evacuation paths to ensure visibility and accessibility in urgent situations and can be illuminated.
Emergency Duration
While the minimum emergency duration required by BS 5266 is 1 hour, emergency escape lighting must remain illuminated for at least three hours in premises where immediate evacuation is not feasible. The minimum illumination requirement is reduced to one hour in situations where rapid evacuation is possible and immediate re-occupancy is not necessary
UK applications typically demand longer durations. Places of entertainment, like theatres, cinemas, pubs, restaurants, and leisure centres, are considered high-risk due to the large number of visitors who may be unfamiliar with the building and escape routes. These locations require maintained emergency lighting to ensure clear visibility of escape paths during emergencies.
Locations with sleeping risks, such as hotels, nursing homes, hospitals, boarding schools, or where immediate evacuation is not possible, also need 3-hour emergency lighting.
Places that need to be re-occupied quickly after a brief power failure, like shops, museums, and libraries, should also have 3-hour emergency lighting. For example, if a shop experiences a power outage lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, 3-hour lighting would still have 1 hour and 45 minutes of battery life remaining. This allows the shop to reopen immediately. With 1-hour lighting, however, the shop would need to wait for the battery to recharge (which could take up to 24 hours), delaying reopening.
Where do I need to place my emergency lighting
In general terms emergency lighting falls into 2 categories, Emergency Lighting and Escape Route Signs (For more information see section What is Emergency Lighting). Both types of products need to be suitably placed within your building to provide a safe environment in the event of a main power failure.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING
In the UK, the Fire Safety legislation requires emergency lighting to be provided in the following premises:
- Offices and shops
- Community halls
- Schools
- Hotels and hostels
- Factories and warehouses
- Common areas in houses in multiple occupation
- Pubs, clubs and restaurants
- Premises that provide care
- Tents and marquees
- Any premises where the need is identified within the Fire Risk Assessment.
Emergency Lighting needs to be positioned in all locations where information or decisions need to be taken and includes the following locations within buildings.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Some locations within a building need illumination because of their function in the event of a fire, including all points on an escape route or in open areas such as;
- changes in level (stairs)
- changes in direction (corners or corridor junctions)
- first aid points
- fire-fighting equipment
- manual call points in refuge areas (Any place where people with limited mobility gather to seek assistance out of the building)
- outside of each final exit from the building.
HIGH-RISK TASK AREAS
Any area which has been identified with the Fire Risk Assessment as performing a high-risk task. This may include;
- machine shops in manufacturing
- areas which need specific shut down operations to be undertaken. These would additionally need a higher level of illumination (See section “how much light do I need”)
- Escape routes which pass through or over machinery and the immediate vicinity (See section “how much light do I need”)
AREAS OF INCREASED RISK
Places with increased risk, due to the nature of the area need illuminating, the locations include places such as;
- Lifts (Elevators) (not an active part of an escape route but people may be inside in the event of a power failure)
- Generator (Plant) Rooms
- Escalators (and Travelators)
- Escape routes in covered car parks
- Toilets (WC’s) of over 8m2 Including cubicles.
STAY PUT LIGHTING
Some Fire Risk Assessments may indicate that certain areas may continue to be occupied in the event of a mains power failure (different to a fire alarm activation which always require evacuation) in this event, specific rules for the emergency lighting are employed and provides temporary illumination to allow occupants to safely continue their activities or evacuate gradually if needed. These systems follow the same rules as high risk task area lighting.
EMERGENCY ESCAPE ROUTE SIGNS
In the event of a mains power failure and in the event of a fire, it is essential that occupants of a building can safely exit the building without panic. To achieve this outcome, Emergency Escape Route Signs are utilised, which give information about which direction to turn at a corridor junction, which door to take from a room and in some cases, which routes have been blocked by fire or other obstruction. An example legend plate for these signs can be seen below.
Legend for “exit left” according to ISO 7010 and BS5499-10
Signs must be place at all points where a decision needs to be made, these include changes of direction, changes of level (Stairs) identifying which door to exit through (which cannot be ambiguous so only 1 should be highlighted from each room).
If there is only one exit from a building / room there does not need to be an exit sign over the door in this situation, although it is always advised to use one anyway.
Each sign must be illuminated to the correct light level (see section “How much light do I need”)
How much light do I need
Within BS 5266, specific levels of illumination for escape routes, open areas, and for points of emphasis such as fire fighting equipment have been established to ensure building occupants can see clearly and avoid obstacles whilst evacuating:
Open Area Illumination
BS 5266 defines any open area larger than 60 square meters where people might gather during an emergency as requiring emergency lighting. In these areas, a minimum illumination level of 0.5 lux should be maintained.
Since individuals are generally expected to move through a central "core area" toward an exit, emergency lighting requirements may exclude the outer rim of 0.5 meters from walls or fixed partitions, as well as the floor area beneath furniture (as illustrated in Figure 22).
Open areas smaller than 60 square meters may still require emergency lighting, particularly if they are considered to contain additional hazards. The presence of such hazards should be determined through a comprehensive risk assessment.
To enhance visibility during movement through escape routes and open areas, there should be minimal contrast between brightly illuminated and dimly lit sections. A ratio of uniformity has been established for these areas: the maximum illumination level should not exceed 40 times the minimum illumination level.
For example, in an escape route or open area where the minimum illumination is 1 lux, the maximum should not exceed 40 lux. If the maximum illumination level is higher than this, the minimum illumination level should be increased proportionally.
While emergency luminaires often do not emit enough downward light to achieve 40 lux on the floor, using more powerful general lighting luminaires for emergency lighting may result in exceeding the maximum illumination level. In such cases, it is essential to verify that the ratio of uniformity is maintained.
Escape Route Lighting
BS 5266 mandates that critical points of emphasis, such as stairs and fire extinguishers, are adequately illuminated. A sufficient number of emergency luminaires must be installed to ensure minimum illuminance levels in escape routes and open areas. Each escape route compartment should contain at least two emergency luminaires to maintain system integrity.
Furthermore, BS 5266 emphasises that escape routes must remain unobstructed, free from obstructions like photocopiers or temporarily stored items.
To ensure safety during emergencies, the emergency lighting installation must be adequate for individuals to identify and avoid abandoned objects along escape routes. Emergency luminaires should be mounted at least 2 meters above the floor. While there is no strict upper limit, luminaires should be positioned below the potential smoke level if there is a significant risk of smoke affecting floor illumination.
To ensure continuous illumination during emergencies, each escape route compartment should contain at least two emergency luminaires. If one luminaire fails, the other should provide sufficient illumination to facilitate safe egress from the premises.
In small lobbies where two emergency luminaires are impractical, glass [vision] panels can be installed to allow light from adjacent compartments to penetrate, maintaining adequate illumination. No compartment of the escape route should be totally dependent on the light from one emergency luminaire.
Similar to escape route compartments, open areas should also have multiple emergency luminaires to maintain system integrity. While a single, powerful luminaire might theoretically illuminate a large open area, relying solely on one luminaire poses a significant risk. If the luminaire fails, the entire area could be plunged into darkness, hindering evacuation efforts. Therefore, using a larger number of lower-power luminaires is recommended for illuminating open areas.
BS EN 1838:2013 expands upon the conditions outlined in BS 5266-1 for the application of emergency lighting, addressing escape routes, open areas, and high-risk task areas. For escape routes, specific locations for emergency lighting placement are defined:
- Within 2 meters (horizontally) of emergency exit doors
- At directional changes along the escape route
- At intersections of corridors
- Within 2 meters of changes in level (to prevent tripping)
- Within 2 meters of flights of stairs
- Within 2 meters of fire fighting equipment and manual call points
- Within 2 meters of first aid points
- Within 2 meters of exit signs and other safety signs
- Within 2 meters of the last exit to the external escape route
- Immediately outside the building
- Externally illuminated signs related to the escape route or safety
- Within 2 meters of refuge positions and call/two-way telephone points for individuals with disabilities
- Within 2 meters of escape equipment for individuals with disabilities
- Within 2 meters of a disabled toilet alarm position
First aid equipment, fire fighting equipment, and detection equipment listed above require a minimum vertical illumination of 5 lux.
Emergency lighting should be installed with a sufficient duration to enable occupants to safely address and remove hazards. High-risk task areas should be illuminated to at least 10% of their normal illuminance level (lux), or a minimum of 15 lux (whichever is higher), with a uniformity ratio of at least 0.1 to the average at the task area level.
In practice, the 15 lux minimum is unlikely to be relevant in most cases, as the mains lighting for high-risk tasks typically exceeds 500 lux.
High Risk Task Area Illumination
High-risk task area lighting need only provide the higher illuminance level in the immediate vicinity of the task. Adjacent areas can be treated as open areas requiring emergency lighting.
Due to the potential for life-threatening hazards during disruptions in high-risk task areas, full emergency illuminance should be provided within 0.5 seconds and maintained throughout the required duration. For highly critical areas, a no-break system should be considered.
Exit Signs
Historically, emergency lighting has often been provided by a luminaire located adjacent to the exit signboard (within 2 meters horizontally) to ensure adequate illumination. However, this approach can make it challenging to achieve or calculate the required minimum illuminance level of 5 lux. A more effective approach involves using internally illuminated signs instead of exit signboards.
Minimum illuminance levels for exit signs have been established to ensure their visibility during occupancy. At the specified viewing distance, the minimum illuminance level at any point on the signboard should be 2 cd/m². The ratio of minimum to maximum illuminance within any part of the pictogram should not exceed 10:1, and the contrast between white and green should be between 5:1 and 15:1.
Internally illuminated exit signs offer a more effective approach to highlighting escape routes. These signs have a viewing distance that is twice that of exit signboards.
For internally illuminated signs, the green exit pictogram absorbs a significant portion of the light. Therefore, when designing a lighting scheme, the minimal amount of light emitted from the sign should not be considered as contributing to the overall illuminance of the area.
Some exit signs are specifically designed with integrated downlights that illuminate the doorway, threshold, and a designated area around the sign on the floor. If these signs have been approved by a national testing authority and their light output is authenticated, the published spacing data can be used in the lighting design.
Many emergency luminaires can be converted into exit signs by using self-adhesive or clip-on pictogram legends. While these conversions are acceptable as exit signs, their emergency light output should generally be disregarded unless specifically authenticated.
Exit signs should be wall-mounted at a height of 2 to 2.5 meters above floor level. This height aligns with the natural eye level for locating signs. Signs mounted lower may be obstructed by other people, and those mounted higher may be outside the field of vision.
If wall mounting is not feasible (e.g., due to a glass panel above the doorway), edge-illuminated or back-illuminated signs with top fixings can be used.
An alternative option is to use an exit signboard on the wall with an adjacent emergency luminaire, provided the sign is illuminated to a minimum of 5 lux.
Ceiling-mounted signs with the legend panel parallel to the ceiling are strongly discouraged due to the potential for obstructed visibility and difficulty in meeting the recommended mounting height.
Low-mounted signs can be used for specific wayfinding purposes, but these should always be installed in addition to exit signs mounted at 2 to 2.5 meters.
What is glare?
Bright, glaring light in the line of vision can cause dazzling, impairing visibility. This is known as disability glare. In an emergency, disability glare can increase the risk of stumbling over hazards.
Disability glare should be avoided. It is different from discomfort glare, a term used in general lighting related to eyestrain. Disability glare limits are imposed within specific angles.
In an area with a flat floor, the glare zone is considered to be above 60° from the vertical. Within this zone, there are limits on light intensity. However, as the mounting height above the floor increases, these limits also increase.
In areas with hazards like steps, where the angle of vision varies, the glare zone is considered to include all angles.
The glare zone limits for high-risk task areas are higher due to the increased emergency lighting illuminance in these areas, which makes the eye more tolerant of glare.
The appropriate luminaire must be selected to ensure that its peak intensity does not exceed acceptable glare levels for the specific application. For example, a "Twin Spot" luminaire mounted at 2.5 meters may exceed glare limits.
When using luminaires that may produce excessive glare, care should be taken to avoid the glare zone. This can be achieved by mounting the luminaires as high as possible and directing the light downwards at an angle less than 60°.
What’s this about testing and maintenance?
Building owners are legally obligated to ensure the proper functioning of their emergency lighting systems. The Fire Regulations mandate that safety equipment, including emergency lighting, is maintained in excellent working condition.
Testing Requirements
BS 5266-1 outlines the necessity of a suitable test facility to simulate mains supply failures for emergency luminaires and exit signs. A "competent person" must be appointed to oversee and execute these testing schedules.
The chosen test facility should align with the specific emergency lighting system and can be either manual or automatic. Detailed records of each luminaire's performance must be maintained for inspection.
Manual vs. Automatic Testing
While manual testing involves a competent person physically disconnecting local supplies and checking each luminaire, this method is often time-consuming and labour-intensive. Automated testing solutions offer a more efficient and convenient alternative.
Automated Testing Options
Regardless of the chosen method, the testing must adhere to the requirements outlined in BS 5266-8:2004.
Timing Considerations
Testing should be conducted at times that minimise risks and allow for adequate system recharge. Ideally, annual full-duration tests should be performed when the building is unoccupied. If this is not feasible, alternative self-contained luminaires can be tested and recharged before testing the remainder of the system.
This approach ensures thorough testing of the entire system, even in continuously occupied buildings.
Emergency Lighting Testing and Maintenance Schedule
To ensure the proper functioning of your emergency lighting system, regular testing and maintenance are crucial. Here's a breakdown of the schedule:
Daily Checks
The Competent Person should inspect central power supplies and verify the health of indicator lights. This daily check ensures the system is operational and ready for use. However, this step is not applicable to self-contained emergency lighting units.
Monthly Checks
Functional tests are conducted monthly to verify the functionality and condition of each emergency luminaire and exit sign. This involves simulating a mains failure for a sufficient duration to assess:
- Operation from the battery: This confirms that the light switches to battery power during a power outage.
- Luminaire cleanliness and condition: Regular checks ensure the luminaires are free of dust, dirt, or damage that could hinder their effectiveness.
The simulation method depends on the system type:
- Self-contained and sub-controlled Luminaires: Utilise the local test facility for these units.
- Central Power Supplies: Use the control switch to test the emergency lighting system, ensuring it's safe and convenient to do so.
Annual Checks
Annual checks involve repeating the monthly functional test but for the full rated duration of the system (e.g., 3 hours). This comprehensive test ensures that emergency lighting functions effectively for its intended length of operation.
Scheduling Considerations
These annual full-duration tests should be conducted at times with minimal risk and when it's safe and convenient. Ideally, schedule them during unoccupied periods or daylight hours to minimize disruption and allow sufficient recharge time (approximately 24 hours) for the batteries.
Record Keeping
Maintaining detailed records is essential. Record the test date, results, and any identified faults in the designated emergency lighting log book. Promptly repair any faults and document the completion date. These records should be kept readily available for inspection by the Fire Authorities.
Key Points
- Daily checks ensure central power supplies (excluding self-contained units) function properly.
- Monthly checks verify lamp functionality and condition.
- Annual checks test the system for its full rated duration.
- Detailed records of tests and repairs are mandatory.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your emergency lighting system is prepared to provide vital illumination during a power outage, keeping occupants safe.
You talk about a Fire Risk Assessment but what is it?
A Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) is a systematic evaluation of a building or premises to identify potential fire hazards and assess the risks associated with them. It's a legal requirement in the UK under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The FRA helps determine appropriate fire safety measures to ensure the safety of occupants and visitors.
Who Needs a FRA?
Any person or organization responsible for a non-domestic premises, such as:
- Businesses
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Public buildings
Key Components of a FRA
A thorough FRA typically includes:
Identification of Fire Hazards
This involves identifying potential sources of ignition, fuels, and conditions that could contribute to a fire. Examples include electrical faults, flammable materials, and blocked escape routes.
Assessment of Risk
Evaluating the likelihood of a fire occurring and the potential severity of its consequences. Factors considered include the number of people at risk, the presence of vulnerable individuals, and the building's layout.
Evaluation of Existing Fire Safety Measures
Assessing the effectiveness of current fire safety measures, such as fire alarms, sprinklers, and escape routes.
Identification of Fire Safety Deficiencies
Pinpointing areas where improvements are needed to reduce fire risks.
Development of a Fire Safety Plan
Creating a detailed plan outlining the actions to be taken in case of a fire, including evacuation procedures, emergency contacts, and fire fighting arrangements.
FRA Process
1. Initial Assessment
A qualified fire safety professional conducts a preliminary assessment to identify potential fire hazards.
2. Detailed Survey
A more in-depth survey is carried out to gather specific information about the premises, including layout, occupancy, and existing fire safety measures.
3. Risk Assessment
The gathered information is analyzed to assess the likelihood and severity of fire risks.
4. Recommendations
Based on the assessment, recommendations are made to improve fire safety.
5. Fire Safety Plan
A comprehensive fire safety plan is developed, outlining emergency procedures and responsibilities.
Legal Requirements
Regular Reviews
FRAs must be reviewed regularly, typically at least annually or more frequently if significant changes occur to the premises.
Documentation
The FRA and associated documents must be kept on-site for inspection by the fire authorities.
Additional Considerations
Fire Safety Training
Ensure that all staff and occupants are adequately trained in fire safety procedures.
Emergency Exits
Regularly check the condition and accessibility of emergency exits.
Fire Extinguishers
Ensure fire extinguishers are regularly inspected, maintained, and located in easily accessible areas.
By conducting regular FRAs and implementing the recommended measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of fire and protect the safety of people and property.
ICEL Endorsed Training
The LIA has several courses on emergency lighting. Please click the links below for more details on these courses and how you can sign up for them.