Exit Lights & Emergency Lighting

Exit Lights and Emergency Lighting are safety requirements that must be included in all new commercial developments. When everyday lighting fails during a power outage Exit & Emergency Lights keep occupants safe. Exit Lights are placed over doorways and in thoroughfares to highlight the quickest route out of a building. Emergency Lighting provides general illumination for occupants to safely negotiate a dark room. 

Exit and Emergency lights are designed differently. Exit lights are easily identified, typically green, marked with a bold “EXIT”, the translucent cover is then lit from inside with tested or when power supply fails. Emergency Lights are most commonly a white rectangular or circular enclosure mounted on the roof. The globe will illuminate upon a power failure or any time the test button is pressed.

Emergency Lighting can be either Maintained or Non-Maintained. A maintained emergency light will typically function within a bank of normal lights via a normal switch, when the power fails however this light switches source and draws on a battery to provide essential lighting. A non-maintained light however is never illuminated.

Every exit or emergency luminaire is fitted with a battery to power the unit when a power failure occurs. The batteries are required to run the lights for at least 90 minutes after the power fails. These batteries are stated to last 4 years. Though the battery is still likely to function beyond this 4 year period, they are unlikely to deliver the intended output. Therefore, you are legally obligated to replace the battery pack once every four years.

Routine maintenance of these lights is an ongoing requirement. The landlord or in some cases the tenant have the responsibility of ensuring the the compliance of these units. An appropriately qualified person such as a licensed electrician should be engaged to test the components of the emergency lighting system. The AS/NZS2293 standard includes requirements for testing of circuits & components. Emergency and exit lighting is an essential life safety device and the non-compliance with regulations regarding its correct installation and maintenance jeopardises the safety of building occupants. There is a legal requirement to comply with NCC and AS/NZS 2293 and the WH&S legislation (OH&S in Victoria and WA) treats a serious breach as an indictable offence and carries a maximum penalty of $3 million for a corporation and a significant financial penalty and up to 5 years imprisonment for individuals. 

The location and frequency of Exit and Emergency luminaries is set out in AS/NZS 2293. Exit signs need to be clearly visible to the occupants of a building and illuminated at all times. They will be installed directly above exit doors, at the top of staircases and at any change of direction along the way to directing people along the “Egress path” escape route to a final exit or evacuation point. Emergency lights are installed at regular intervals around a building to illuminate the egress paths out of the building. The type of light, building shape and ceiling height will determine where they are required to be installed. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I know if my emergency lights are working?
  • Every exit sign and emergency light will have an LED indicator confirming the fitting is powered and that the battery is being charged. Each unit will also have a test button next to the indicator, holding this button down will momentarily put the fitting into emergency mode.
• Why is my emergency light buzzing?
  • This is likely because the battery is dead.
• What does a red light on an emergency light mean?
  • A red light on an emergency light indicates a globe fault.
• Why is my exit sign flashing?
  • This will most likely indicate a faulty globe. Also note a green/red flashing indicates the battery is charging and red flashing indicates there’s a fault with the unit.
• Does every door need an exit sign?
  • No, not all doors need exit signs. Exit signs are only required in specified locations.