Why do we need emergency lighting?
Could you evacuate your building safely if the lights went out? Emergency lighting is a lighting system with alternative power source that comes on if there is a mains or local sub-circuit failure.
Where artificial lighting is installed in the workplace, some form of emergency lighting is a mandatory requirement. The emergency lighting is used to ensure the safe use of fire escape routes and other designated areas in the event of a total or partial lighting failure within a building. It is also used to illuminate safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire alarm call points, first aid points and other points of emphasis.
Since the introduction of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order which came into effect in October 2006,
the fire statistics are encouraging. For the 12 month period up to 31 March 2007, fires and fire deaths were down by 5%. (Fire Statistics Monitor). Some of this improvement can be attributed to the emergency lighting
requirements set out in the RRO and the Fire Precaution (Workplace) Regulations 1997 which stipulates the provision of permanent signboards to indicate the location and direction of emergency escape routes, clarifying “signboard” to mean a sign which is rendered visible by lighting of sufficient intensity. Emergency lighting is a tried and tested precaution that saves lives by reducing risks from hazards and aiding efficient evacuation.
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