Emergency and exit lighting serve a very important purpose. The sole objective of exit lights is to assist occupants out of a building, in the case of an emergency. The illuminated exit lights help the occupants to identify a path of travel and provide a clear thoroughfare for a safe exit from the building, in a quick time frame.
Exit Lighting and Emergency Lighting Regulations
There are regulations surrounding the requirements and installation of exit lights. The Building Code of Australia AS2293 states that an exit lighting system must be installed to meet Australian Standards. It must be clearly visible to people approaching an exit and located in areas directing occupants to exits in hallways, passage ways, stairwells, lobby areas and alike and in every storey of a Class 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 building where the storey has a floor area more than 300 m2. The lights must automatically connect to work in the event of a power failure; operating for the duration of 90 minutes independently, with highly visible letters and or symbols and located on, above or adjacent to every door providing an escape.
How often should Exit Lighting be tested?
Exit & Emergency Lighting Tests should be carried out twice a year by an electrician. However, if a fault is identified at any time, during routine electrical building maintenance, it must be rectified immediately. When replacing faulty lamps and or fittings the exit signage must be checked that all is in working order upon completion. Batteries, battery chargers, inverters, distribution and control equipment and luminaries all need to be checked, along with a system operation and automatic discharge facility check. This will ensure that if and when the emergency lighting and exit signs need to be used, they will indeed provide a clear exit path for all occupants within the building.
Call Prolux Electrical Contractors on 1800 800 880 for exit lighting and emergency lighting installation. Our qualified electricians are leaders in electrical building maintenance.