If you’ve been in virtually any large building in the United States, you’ve probably seen at least one “emergency exit” sign. While we refer to them as “signs,” they often function as emergency exit lighting fixtures. Even if there’s a fire or the electricity goes out, these signs remain lit with backup batteries to help people find the exits during an emergency. However, not all emergency exit lights work exactly the same. Some don’t even use the word “exit.”
In this guide, we’re going to take a closer look at emergency exit lighting. More specifically, we’ll discuss what it is, why it matters, and where you can find high-quality emergency lighting for your home or business. So, let’s get started!
Why Emergency Exit Lighting Is Important
Since emergency lighting is so prevalent in public spaces, it’s easy to take it for granted. However, emergency lighting is a vital addition to buildings and has helped save thousands of lives over the years. Here are just a few reasons why emergency exit lighting is so important:
- Regulatory Compliance - According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, any business or public building in the United States must have adequate lighting at every exit and a sign that clearly displays the word “exit.” Thus, implementing these features ensures that your building is in compliance with U.S. safety regulations.
- Directional Orientation - If the power is cut or visibility is limited due to smoke, an emergency exit sign can help people reorient themselves and find the exit quickly.
- Panic Reduction - Many people have been trained since childhood to proceed calmly to the exit during an emergency. Emergency exit lighting can help people follow their instincts and reduce unnecessary panic at the same time.
- Personal Safety - Installing emergency exit signs in your building can help give you a greater sense of personal safety, as you can navigate your house or apartment building with ease.
How Do Emergency Lights Work?
Not all emergency light fixtures work the same, as some perform slightly different functions than others. That said, most emergency light setups are designed to direct people toward an exit, even if there is no access to electricity or there are visual impediments (like smoke). In any case, standard emergency lights often work on the same basic principles:
- Primary Power Source - Like any light fixture, emergency exit lights are usually connected to the main power supply of a building by default. Outside of an emergency situation, the exit light is provided with electricity by the primary power source. This ensures that the backup battery can remain charged until it is really needed.
- Emergency Activation - Most buildings have an electrical system with a control circuit that can detect when the power has been cut off. If a power outage occurs, it automatically triggers the emergency light so that it can switch from the building’s main power supply to the backup battery power.
- Lighting Function - As previously mentioned, there are different styles of emergency exit light fixtures that serve different functions. However, in most cases, emergency exit signs are equipped with flood lights that are activated when a power outage is detected. These lights help illuminate the exit and surrounding area.
- Rechargeable Battery - When the main power supply is turned back on, the backup battery automatically begins recharging. This ensures that the battery has enough power if and when there is another emergency or power outage.
- Maintenance Features - Many models feature testing functions (often buttons on the light itself) so that the light can be triggered manually. This is often used to test the functionality of the lighting system, but it can also be used if the light does not automatically switch to battery power. In any case, it’s important to test emergency exit lights regularly to make sure that they’re working properly.
Emergency Lights in Hallways & Stairwells
If you’ve ever lived in an apartment building or worked in a large office building, you’ve probably seen emergency exit lights in just about every hallway and stairwell. These are especially important because they play a unique role compared to standard emergency lights placed by the primary exit(s) of a building. Though they typically work just like standard emergency exit lights, people often use and interact with emergency hallway lights in different ways.
For example, let’s say that you live on the 10th floor of a large apartment building. Suddenly, the lights go out. If you don’t have any emergency lights in your apartment, you may struggle to get to the door to leave. Once you get in the hallway, your building should have emergency exit lights that are automatically triggered by the outage. These will provide enough light to direct you to the nearest stairwell.
Additionally, stairwells should be equipped with emergency lighting fixtures at regular intervals. Ideally, stairwell backup lights should be positioned on each floor, and depending on the layout of the stairwell, at each midpoint between floors. By having emergency lights in the hallways and stairwells of your building, you can easily get out of the building when there’s a power outage.
The same applies to office buildings or any other building with multiple floors. Emergency exit lights may not have the word “exit” spelled out on them, but they will provide emergency lighting powered by a rechargeable battery. This can give you much greater peace of mind, as you know that you’ll be able to navigate the building during an emergency.
Just keep in mind that the laws regulating emergency lighting can vary a little based on your location. If you own a commercial or industrial building with multiple floors, it is vital to understand the local codes related to emergency lighting. Not only will it keep you and anyone else in the building safe, but it will also ensure that you don’t accidentally fall short of safety regulations in your area.
Popular Styles of Emergency Exit Light Fixtures
The standard emergency exit light looks the same in most environments to ensure that people will recognize it and know where to go. However, emergency exit lights can come in many different shapes, styles, and sizes based on your specific needs and the regulations with which you need to comply. In any case, here are some of the most common and popular styles on the market:
- Edge-Lit Exit Signs - Though these lights look like the standard exit sign (complete with large lettering), edge-lit signs are equipped with additional lighting panels around the edges. When triggered, these signs will become illuminated on all sides to improve visibility nearby.
- Exit Sign With Emergency Lights - This version combines the standard emergency exit light with one or two additional directional lights. These additions can help light the path toward the exit during an emergency.
- Emergency Flood Lights - More commonly used in hallways and stairwells, emergency flood lights still operate using a backup battery, but they do not feature the traditional lettering of an exit sign.
We hope you found this guide on emergency exit lighting both fun and informative! Are you interested in learning more about the best emergency light fixtures on the market? Are you ready to purchase high-quality light bulbs and light fixtures at affordable prices? If so, be sure to check out the products available at Bulb Center today!