Emergency Lighting

Maintained vs Non-maintained Lighting

Maintained lighting is on at all times and remains on in a power-outage. Non-maintained lighting only comes on when there is a power failure in a building. Non-maintained operation is often favoured, as it is usually cheaper in terms of energy consumption and the life of the components. However, in some premises such as public venues like theatres and cinemas, the luminaires must always be lit (maintained mode) so there is sometimes no choice in the matter. If you are unsure about the requirements for your premises, you should refer to your building’s fire risk assessment.

Emergency Light Regulations and Testing

BS EN 50172 / BS 5266-8 state that an emergency lighting ‘flick test’ should be undertaken every month. A full test should be undertaken annually where all the lights remain on throughout the entire test duration. Responsibility lies with the responsible person to ensure that emergency lighting is working, regularly tested and serviced.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, businesses must install emergency lighting in their premises by law. Responsibility lies with the responsible person to ensure that emergency lighting is working, regularly tested and serviced to illuminate exit pathways so occupants of a building can make their way out quickly and safely.

LED Emergency Lights

LED emergency lights use less electricity and have an improved lifespan of 10 years; they use smaller integrated back-up batteries which saves money on running costs and maintenance. LED emergency lights are also far more energy efficient than standard fluorescent lighting and they contribute significantly to reducing a building’s carbon footprint.

What is a bulkhead emergency light?

A bulkhead emergency light is a type of light fitting designed to illuminate pathways, stairwells, exits and other key areas within a building during a black out or emergency situation. This type of lighting is designed to be tough, durable and weatherproof. Bulkhead emergency lighting can be mounted on walls or ceilings along escape routes and emergency exits.

What are the legal requirements for emergency lighting in the UK?

The legal requirement states that non-domestic buildings must be deemed safe at all times, even in the case of a mains power failure. Therefore, all relevant buildings must have emergency lighting fitted. Emergency routes and exits which require illuminating must be provided with satisfactory emergency lighting. The responsible person must be able to demonstrate that fire safety systems are in place and maintained regularly to protect the occupants. The responsible person has a duty of care to ensure all measures are in place and is accountable legally for the protection of others in this area. Read our help guide on emergency lighting for further advice.

Emergency Lighting Operation

Maintained Operation

When in maintained operation the lamp of an emergency luminaire stays on constantly at all times and stays lit for the minimum emergency duration after a mains failure. Maintained lights can be wired to a light switch to be used as normal room lighting and will function as emergency lighting during a mains power failure even when switched off.

Non-Maintained Operation

When in non-maintained operation the lamp of an emergency luminaire will only light in the event of a mains failure and will stay lit for the minimum emergency duration required.

Please Note: Maintained units are capable of being wired to enable non-maintained operation.

Mains Operation

Mains operated units are designed to be wired into a local power circuit for general lighting and do not have emergency functionality. They are available for purchase to facilitate installation of the same style fittings throughout an entire premises.

Slave Units

Slave fittings have no internal backup battery and must be wired into a dedicated power circuit. In the event of a power failure, slave units are powered by a bank of larger batteries centrally located within the premises. The operation of the slave unit (i.e. maintained/non-maintained) is reliant on the operation of the backup battery system.

Switchable Emergency Lighting

An emergency light unit that can be wired to a switch, allowing it to be turned on or off for regular use (switching the unit between maintained and non-maintained operation). In the event of a mains power / circuit failure the lamp on the unit will be powered by its back-up battery.

When in emergency operation the light output of the emergency light will drop to approximately 10% of its normal light output. This ensures that the back-up battery will power the lamp for the required duration (3 hours). The stated light output (in Lumens) in the product description is the light output in emergency operation.

What are the legal requirements for emergency outdoor lighting?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) 2005, which came into force in October 2006, charges the responsible person in control of non-domestic premises and the common areas of a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO) with the safety of everyone in the building, whether working, visiting or living there.

If a building is occupied at night, including during the shorter days in the winter months. There must be provision for emergency lighting in all areas, including those that are naturally lit during the day. One exception may be in the case of 'borrowed' light from external street lamps if this is a reliable source of lighting and reaches sufficiently inside the building to illuminate the escape routes. However, this is only suitable for people who are familiar with the building to be able to evacuate safely in the hours of darkness by borrowed light. It is not acceptable for members of the public to use escape routes that are only illuminated by such means. In this case, full emergency lighting to all escape routes must be provided. The provision for emergency lighting doesn’t finish at the final exit door, it must ensure the safe evacuation to the nearest assembly point or to allow safe egress from a building in the event of a non-emergency power failure.

Are emergency lights waterproof?

No, not all emergency lighting is waterproof. Some have been designed specifically for indoor use only so only require a low IP (Ingress Protection) rating. Waterproof emergency lights are essential for ensuring safety in various environments, especially those exposed to moisture or harsh weather conditions.

IP rating mainly looks at dust and water ingress into an electrical device, anything above IP44 is deemed to be ‘weatherproof’ or ‘splashproof’ suitable for environments where there may be light rain or water splashes. In order for an emergency light to be deemed ‘waterproof’ an IP65 rating or above is required to protect the unit against heavy rain or direct water jets.