Emergency Light: Learn its important points and how it can be applied in your sector!

Have you heard about the importance of using emergency lights in small, medium, and large companies? In this post, we will provide exclusive information about this type of project and explain its importance for organizations to ensure efficiency in various situations.

By reading this article, you will understand what emergency lights are, how they work, and in which sectors they can be applied. In addition, you will learn everything about its regulation, knowing the main models, and how they can be used to fulfill their function of lighting the environment.

Another highlight in this content is the periodic maintenance of emergency lights to ensure proper functioning. Curious? Keep reading!

1. Understand what emergency lights are

Emergency lights are a popular equipment that ensures artificial lighting in places when there is a power outage. They are useful in residential environments, but even more important for organizational environments.

When the electricity supply is interrupted, emergency lights are activated and maintain visibility of establishments. Therefore, they are installed in various places: corridors, stairs, production areas, offices, and others.

If you observe, you will find examples installed in shopping malls, schools, gyms, condominiums, offices, hotels, industries, among others. In addition to being beneficial in preventing accidents and inconveniences, they are mandatory in some cases.

Due to state laws, they must follow the standards of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT NBR 10,898) and be approved by the Fire Department. They can indicate to people where they can access the exit safely.

2. Find out how emergency lights work

These modern lights work with rechargeable internal batteries. Their lights can be fluorescent or LED (Light Emitting Diode), with the latter being the most recommended for being more economical and durable.

Their operation is simple: just leave them connected to sockets because at the moment the electricity is cut, they will light up automatically. The battery charge time may vary, starting at 1 hour.

Recharges must be done in the “off” mode, and they take up to 48 hours to complete the charging cycle, depending on the product’s voltage. There are devices that indicate whether the equipment is fully charged.

Also, they are protected against electricity network oscillations and minimize the risk of damage to the light. Furthermore, they must be well fixed and positioned high up so that they do not fall, and no one can interfere with their selector switch.

Another way to implement emergency lighting systems is through the application of LED luminaires or reflectors with 220V power supply without the need for independent batteries for each light. In this installation model, these emergency lights would be in an independent system, and in case of a power outage, there would be a generator as a power source. The duration period will vary according to the generator’s sizing.

3. Learn in which sectors emergency lighting is applied

Perhaps you are wondering if emergency lighting can be applied in your sector. Although they are very common in Brazilian households by choice, due to the convenience they provide, in some places, they are mandatory.

According to the Fire Department’s regulations, public spaces and residential condominiums must use lights in emergency exits, elevators, service stairs, and places with a high flow of people. It is worth noting that certain equipment can last up to 10 hours.

However, the most important thing is that they have quality lighting and can cover dark spaces. Therefore, it is necessary to contact a specialized and qualified company to carry out the installation and provide technical assistance during the implementation of the selected system. They will follow safety standards, in addition to offering experts in the field.

4. Learn about the main emergency light models

To choose your emergency light, you need to consider the dimensions of the spaces to be covered to find the most suitable power. Depending on the size of the location, it can be a simple or more powerful equipment.

The intensity of the lighting will depend on the amount of lumens or the unit of luminous flux per square meter – a measure known as lux. The Brazilian Regulatory Standard (NBR) No. 10,898 records two models of emergency lighting.

Clearance model

It has the function of illuminating the floors, so it is mandatory in places of horizontal or vertical circulation that contain external exits from establishments. In places with unevenness, the use of at least 5 lux per square meter is recommended.

In areas up to 96 square meters, it is advisable to use a luminaire with at least 288 lumens. However, in corridors and halls, an appliance that provides 3 lux is sufficient to maintain adequate lighting.

Signaling model

This type of emergency light is perfect for pointing out directions, indicating obstacles, and guiding the exits of enclosed environments. It provides at least 30 lux to fulfill its function.

Thus, these devices are essential in cities where large buildings are constructed. If there is a fire, for example, the lamp will provide enough clarity for the evacuation of people inside buildings.

5. Learn how to use the emergency light

Testing of emergency lights should be carried out every three months, as well as the revision of internal battery loads when there is no power outage. If there is a power interruption, recharge should be done on the following day during the period recommended in the instruction manual.

Tests are manual and the button must be pressed or the plug removed from the socket. If this is not possible, turn off the circuit breaker and check if the devices turn on.

6. Check how to maintain the emergency light

It is important to note that the test should be done every 90 days, as if the lamp is not used for long periods, it may be damaged. Consequently, you need to simulate a power outage and let the battery discharge completely until the light emitted by the equipment goes out. Then, recharge for 24 hours to keep your luminaire in full operation.

Now, you already know how important it is to have an emergency lighting project in your company. With the luminaires installed correctly, employees can perform some activities that do not require electricity.

Not to mention the safety that lighting provides in environments with unevenness, avoiding workplace accidents and maintaining the tranquility of employees. Always remember to do periodic maintenance to avoid being caught off guard when you need it the most!

Did you like learning more about emergency lighting? Take the opportunity to read “How can lighting reduce the rate of workplace accidents?”

Do you want to know how SX Lighting will provide you with the best lighting? Click here and request assistance from our specialists.