Emergency Lighting FAQs

The emergency lights can be either screwed to the wall or ceiling. The product is linked into the mains lighting system. Often, an interrupt switch is installed to allow the testing of the emergency light (also called fish key switch)

Yes the fitting can be attached to a PIR, however the ballasts and lamps lifetime are reduced when you switch them on and off regularly on a PIR. The manufacturer recommends that if they are to be used on a PIR that they are switched on for the longest predefined time as possible.

All the emergency lighting on our website are mains powered with a back up battery. Emergency lighting requires its source of power from the mains, and then it is only in the event of a mains power failure that the back-up battery starts to power the unit.

Yes, most maintained lights can be wired to work as a normal mains switched lighting and will still illuminate in the event of a mains power failure.

We do not supply sustained emergency lighting. However, if you chose a switchable maintained light, you can have it wired so that it operates as a normal light but will also act as an emergency light should there be a mains power failure.

Our emergency lights are available in either maintained [lit all the time and will continue to operate after a mains failure] or non-maintained [will only come on in the event of a mains failure]. Most of the Maintained lights are also switchable, which means they can be wired to function both as ordinary lights and as emergency lights at the same time. Emergency lights which are able to be switchable are clearly marked in the product description.

The hot wire test simulates the effects of electrical heat within an emergency light to ensure that the product meets the correct standards to prevent ignition and the spread of fire should it be exposed to excess heat. It is carried out at 850 degrees Celsius, as specified in BS EN 60598-2-22.

An emergency luminaire is the technical term for an emergency light which is designed to illuminate escape areas in a mains power failure. It includes the lamp or lamps, plus all fixings, and connective and protective elements.

Yes, IP65 rated emergency lights can be fitted with emergency showers as the unit is protected against low pressure jets from all directions - limited ingress permitted.

IP ratings are comprised of at least 2 digits. The IP65 rating is broken down as follows:  

• 6: Dust tight and totally protected against dust ingress
• 5: Protected against low pressure jets, from all directions - limited ingress allowed

Any emergency light described as "maintained" or "switchable" on our website would meet these requirements, working as an ordinary light on mains power capable of connecting to a standard light switch while also activating from a battery when mains power fails – regardless of whether they are currently turned on or off at the light switch.

Please note that "non-maintained" emergency lights cannot operate as "maintained" lights and will only provide illumination during a mains power failure, and "slave" or "central battery" lights do not contain their own battery and must be connected to a large central battery system in order to provide emergency illumination. Click here for an overview of different types of emergency light operation.

A maintained emergency light is always on and will stay illuminated in the event of a power failure. These lights are usually installed in communal areas such as corridors and stair wells.

A non-maintained emergency light only comes on in the event of a power failure. These lights will usually be installed in areas that don't need a permanent light source.

Yes, it is possible for a maintained emergency light to be installed in non-maintained operation. Maintained luminaires have two live connections - permanent supply and switched supply. During installation by an electrician, the "link wire" would need to be removed. On the other hand, a non-maintained fitting cannot be wired up as maintained.

Emergency lights should be installed by a qualified electrician and can usually be either ceiling or wall mounted.

The lights are connected to the buildings mains power circuits which keeps the backup battery charged. In the event of a power failure the emergency light will continue to operate under the power of the back-up battery.

Emergency lights are usually installed with a test switch (fish key switch) on their circuit which allows them to be tested by interrupting the mains power supply to the lights only.

A self-contained emergency luminaire is an emergency light that contains all the parts necessary to function independently, such as back-up battery, lamp, control gear. Most emergency lights are self-contained - the exception are slave luminaires.

IP ratings are used as a measure of how well electrical equipment can resist dust particles and water. IP stands for "ingress protection" and the three digits indicate the following:

• First digit: Level of protection against solids (intrusion protection)
• Second digit: Level of protection against liquids (moisture protection)
• Third digit: Protection against mechanical impacts (this is often omitted)

With 0 meaning no protection and 6 being the highest level of protection.

LED emergency lighting is used to signpost emergency exit routes. It is more energy efficient than traditional fluorescent bulbs and last longer than fluorescent tubes. LED bulbs are considered more environmentally friendly as they use less energy while also containing less harmful waste.

Government financial assistance is also available to switch to low energy emergency lighting and exit signs.