Comprehensive guide to British and European standards for emergency lighting systems.
British Standard code of practice for emergency lighting of premises — the current UK standard for emergency lighting design, installation and verification.
European standard specifying the luminous requirements for emergency escape lighting and standby lighting systems in buildings.
European standard covering the provision and operation of emergency escape lighting systems.
Standard for emergency lighting — data for lighting design and calculation of emergency lighting installations.
Different areas of a building require different categories of emergency lighting, each with specific illuminance requirements defined in BS EN 1838.
Illuminates escape routes to ensure safe evacuation. Must provide minimum 1 lux on the centre line of escape routes.
Typical Applications:
Prevents panic in large open areas by providing sufficient illumination. Minimum 0.5 lux at floor level required.
Typical Applications:
Provides adequate lighting for safe shutdown of processes. Minimum 10% of normal lighting or 15 lux, whichever is greater.
Typical Applications:
Allows normal activities to continue during mains power failure. Typically 100% of normal lighting levels.
Typical Applications:
Emergency lighting systems are categorised by how the luminaires operate and how power is supplied. Each type has advantages and considerations to weigh during design.
Luminaires remain illuminated at all times, using both mains and battery power.
Advantages
Considerations
Luminaires only illuminate when mains power fails, operating solely on battery.
Advantages
Considerations
Can operate in both maintained and non-maintained modes via a manual switch.
Advantages
Considerations
Individual battery backup in each luminaire. No central battery required.
Advantages
Considerations
Single battery bank supplies multiple luminaires via sub-circuits.
Advantages
Considerations
Check for any obvious defects or indicator lamp failures.
Simulate mains failure for short duration (typically 30 seconds) to verify operation.
Full 3-hour discharge test to verify battery capacity and luminaire performance.
Many systems recommend 6-monthly duration tests for critical applications.
Important: All emergency lighting tests must be logged in a maintenance logbook. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that adequate emergency lighting is provided and properly maintained.
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