How to Choose Emergency Lighting?

Emergency Lighting place an essential role in our lives, whatever in office buildings, public amusement areas, residential flats... it is required for evacuation and anti-panic illumination. So, how to choose the proper light, here are some suggestion.

Which emergency lighting fixture should you buy?

Which emergency lighting fixture is the best and which emergency lighting model should you buy?

There is no clear answer to this question. The emergency lighting fixtures must in any case comply with the NEN-EN-60598-2-22 guideline. This standard includes emergency lighting requirements with regard to electronic safety and quality of the components used.

Choose the emergency lighting fixtures based on the features that are important to you. Do you have a humid or dusty environment? Then pay attention to the IP value of the fixture, this indicates the degree of water and dust tightness of your emergency lighting.

Do you need a lot of time for an eviction? Then make sure you have sufficient battery capacity. This keeps the emergency lighting visible in the event of a power failure.

Central （CBS）or decentralized emergency lighting fixtures?

There are two types of emergency lighting fixtures: decentralized emergency lighting and emergency lighting that is centrally powered (CBS). The advantage of CBS emergency lighting is that it is powered by a single energy source and automatically switches to emergency power in the event of a power failure. Decentralized emergency lighting is connected to the normal mains voltage. When it fails due to a fire, for example, you need batteries to keep the emergency lighting fixtures on.

(Central Battery Control Emergency Lighting)

Nevertheless, decentralized emergency lighting can often be connected and expanded more flexibly and is also less vulnerable. In the event of a malfunction, only one luminaire fails, not all emergency lighting immediately. Decentralized luminaires are by far the most common system of emergency lighting installations.

Degree of protection

You can choose the degree of protection from IP20 to IP65. With the IP values, the first number means protection against dust and the second number means protection against moisture. The higher the value, the better the protection.

Recognition Distance

The recognition distance of an escape route marker is 1:200 of the height of the pictogram. So a pictogram with a height of 10 cm can be used for an escape route of 20 m. If your escape route is longer than 20 meters, you must hang several escape route signs or a larger escape route designation.

Emergency lighting autonomy

What autonomy of emergency lighting is required in your situation? Luminaires are available with a battery for 1 hour or 3 hours discharging time. Most customers will prefer 3 hours to make sure have sufficient time evacuated the completely.

Built-in or surface-mounted

In emergency lighting, there are various installation ways, a distinction is made between recessed luminaires and surface-mounted luminaires. The recessed luminaires are suitable for system ceilings.

Special versions

There are also special versions available, such as Cinema versions or explosion-proof emergency lighting fixtures.