Emergency lighting provides
immediate secondary lighting when the power supply to the normal lighting fails
e.g. due to a fire. The minimum backup
duration of emergency lighting as specified by regulations is generally
between 1 and 3 hours. For more information on emergency lighting see our emergency lighting guide.
If fires break out, the normal lighting system is often interrupted and the building is plunged into darkness. Escaping the fire, especially if there is panic can then be very difficult. Emergency lighting is therefore installed to give a minimum of light. Emergency lights have backup batteries which are trickle-fed by the mains power system. When the power supply fails, the emergency lights automaticall come on. Emergency lighting can be maintained (on all the time) or non-maintained (only on when power fails)