What are Exit and Emergency Lights (EM Lighting)?

What is it?

Exit and emergency lights are essential for any evacuation protocol, playing a crucial role in ensuring occupant safety during emergencies. EM lighting includes both exit signs and exit luminaries, which work together to guide people to safety.

Exit Signs 

Exit signs provide clear directional guidance, helping individuals swiftly locate the nearest safe exits. These signs are highly visible, often illuminated in green or red, as per the Australian Standard AS/NZS 2293.1, which outlines requirements for their location, size, and height. Compliance with these standards is vital for maintaining safety across facilities.

Exit Luminaries

Exit luminaries ensure adequate lighting during emergencies, facilitating safe evacuations even in low visibility. They must remain operational for at least 90 minutes after the main power supply is cut off, providing continuous illumination. Safety standards dictate their brightness and placement to effectively light pathways and critical areas.

Testing, Maintenance & Compliance

EM lighting systems are connected to the building’s electrical supply, usually on a dedicated circuit for reliability during emergencies. Regular testing is essential, involving a 90-minute assessment after disconnecting the main power. Each exit sign and luminary is evaluated for functionality, and any failures are documented with unique asset IDs for efficient maintenance tracking. This discharge testing is mandated under AS2993.1. All businesses who have a emergency lighting system must have these tested biannually to AS2993.1..