Critical in safeguarding lives during power outages and crisis situations, emergency lighting is an essential component of lighting design in public buildings. Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting, explores the diverse range of products and technologies available for wholesalers to stock in order to support customers to create reliable and compliant emergency lighting solutions.

In the face of unforeseen emergencies or power failures, the reliability and functionality of emergency lighting systems is paramount to building occupant safety, ensuring premises can be easily evacuated or remain occupied when building illumination fails.

Regulations

Required by law in all public, commercial and high occupancy residential buildings, emergency lighting rules are stipulated under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Building Regulations, The EU Workplace Directive, Fire Safety Regulations and the European Standard BS EN 1838.

With such a wide variety of regulations to meet, it’s rare that individual project installations have the same requirements and so, for wholesale customers seeking to enhance customer loyalty and sales revenues, it is imperative that a range of different products and features are available for purchase and specification.

Types of emergency lighting

Split into three separate areas, emergency lighting encompasses escape route lighting, open area lighting (or anti-panic lighting) and high-risk task lighting.

As its name suggests, escape route lighting is specifically intended to illuminate pathways and exits for the safety of people leaving a location. Emergency exit signs and exit boxes are most commonly specified here, usually installed above head height on walls or suspended from ceilings and feature a running white man on a green background.

Open area lighting on the other hand, is designed to light up spaces to allow occupants to both see and head to evacuation routes. Downlights, twin spots and bulkheads are the most popular options, usually specified with interior design/aesthetics taken into account.

High risk task lighting is designed to allow those involved in a potentially dangerous processes or situations to follow shut down procedures. Again heavy duty, emergency compliant bulkheads and downlights are commonly installed in such spaces to provide maximum visibility in challenging environments.

Alongside a broad range of product types, wholesalers should also ensure the range they offer provides a variety of testing options and power sources.

Testing

Testing of emergency luminaires is a legal requirement in the UK, with required standards and regulations outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, The Health and Safety at Work Act, Building Regulations, The EU Workplace Directive and the Fire Safety Regulations.

When it comes to product testing options, there are two common choices – manual or automatic.

Where a product requires manual testing, all lighting circuits and luminaires will be isolated, before a tester passes through the whole building or circuit, checking that each emergency luminaire is operating correctly. The mains supply is then restored and the whole building or circuit must be walked again to check that the emergency lights have returned to being operational.

With intelligent self-test lighting systems, when the units are first installed, the fitter will randomly select a test date of between 200 and 365 days. Once this date is set it will continue to test at the same time every year for a full three-hour test.  Every 30 days the installation will also be automatically tested for ten minutes.  A small LED button on the fitting will illuminate to show either regular function or that a fault has occurred providing much speedier and more cost-effective testing maintence.

Taking this intelligent testing one step further, recent advances in technology have led to the creation of dashboards which enable connected lighting to be centrally monitored and tested wirelessly and automatically at the touch of a button. The dashboard is able to drill down and highlight if an individual luminaire or driver is outside of expected operational parameters. This indicates that the luminaire or driver may need attention to proactively repair or replace, rather than waiting for a failure.

Specification of testing options are often budget or circumstance dictated so wholesalers should ensure they stock both manual and self-test fittings, to maximise versatility and sales potential.

Power

Power source is another important consideration for emergency lighting installations. ‘Self-contained’ and ‘central battery source’ are the two main types of power source. Both serve the purpose of providing emergency lighting during power outages or failures but have distinct characteristics and offer different benefits.

Self-contained systems have their own power supply which means they are powered by a back-up source such as a generator. Operating independently of each other, a major benefit of using this type of power source is that if one unit fails, the operation of other luminaires is not affected. This independence offers flexibility in the placement and installation of individual fixtures, making them suitable for a wide variety of building layouts and retrofit projects. Typically easier and quicker to install, self-contained emergency lights do not require extensive wiring between fixtures and a central power source. They are usually more cost effective in smaller spaces and maintenance and testing can be more straightforward.

Emergency lighting systems operated from a central battery source on the other hand, offer more efficient battery management and can often provide longer backup power durations. They are also much less susceptible to ambient temperature and air conditions as the battery supply is housed in a protective environment. Central battery source systems also allow for centralised management and monitoring of the entire emergency lighting network which can be advantageous in larger buildings or facilities where comprehensive control is essential.

As with emergency testing options, ultimately, project budgets are usually the main determiner in power source specification choice but in most cases, specifiers will prescribe a combination of the two to provide complete protection during times of power failure.

Consequences

The consequences for business owners and responsible persons who fail to comply with fire safety legislation and emergency lighting rules can be very serious. Electrical installers and specifiers are under increasing responsibility to ensure that the emergency lighting systems they create provide reliable and continuous illumination during power outages or emergencies. By stocking a varied and comprehensive range of emergency lighting fitting, wholesalers can ensure they are able to fully service customer projects and maximise sales revenues.

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Light pollution is a huge issue across the globe, affecting ecosystems, human health, the environment and astronomical study. Lighting designer, Chris Anderson from Ansell Lighting, explores this issue in more detail, highlighting how wholesalers can support the industry to turn this problem around.

Light pollution is a significant problem in countries throughout the world with approximately eight out of 10 people now living under light-polluted night sky. The result of excessive, overly bright, ineffectively shielded and badly directed outdoor lighting, it is causing a wealth of issues to the world around us.

Negative impact

Disturbing ecosystems and wildlife, light pollution is interfering with natural behaviours – especially amongst nocturnal species, who rely on natural darkness for hunting and navigating. Light pollution is also making observation of the stars and planets difficult as it obscures visibility and the natural beauty of the night sky.

It is also having an adverse effect on human health, and has been linked to disruptions in circadian rhythms, hormonal imbalances, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Excessive and misdirected outdoor lighting can also create glare, which can be especially problematic for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, increasing the risk of accidents and decreasing overall safety. Light pollution is also readily contributing to climate change, with excessive and unnecessary amounts of energy being used to power installations across the globe.

Tackling the issue

Whilst one solution would be to simply switch the lights out at night, outdoor lighting is something most civilisations cannot live without. Essential for safety, security, work and recreation during hours of darkness, without it many other significant problems would impact society.

Instead, the lighting industry – including every group from manufacturers to wholesalers, designers and installers – must focus on clever design and implementation to combat the issue.

Many manufacturers, including we, have already committed to ensuring new product designs are developed with light pollution in mind. Collaborating with the Dark Sky Association (IDA) manufacturers are following stringent guidelines to ensure that all new innovations are dark-sky friendly, designing luminaires that are fully shielded and emit minimal amounts of blue light and glare in the night time environment.

To recognise the efforts being made, the IDA has even developed the Fixture Seal of Approval programme, a product accreditation scheme which acknowledges responsible product design and manufacturing.

To support efforts to reduce light pollution, wholesalers should look out for products with this accreditation when selecting outdoor ranges to stock. Increasing the availability of these items will ensure their use is more widespread – supporting moves to tackle light pollution.

Educating installers on the problems caused by light pollution and how to avoid it is also hugely important. Working together, wholesalers and manufacturers can support installers to recognise the issues at hand and the simple changes that can be made to cut light pollution. This process should begin with the commonly recognised ‘Dark Sky Design’ best practice design principles.

The five principles

There are a total of five principles that installers and lighting designers should follow and consider to protect the night sky when designing and installing outdoor lighting. The first is that light should be USEFUL. It should have a clear purpose and benefit, and installers should be encouraged to consider whether individual luminaires are actually needed. Thought should also be given to how the fitting will impact the specific area and whether it will have a negative impact on any wildlife in the local environment.

The second principal is that light should be TARGETED; illuminating only the area needed and not impacting on neighbouring spaces. The third principle specifies that illumination should be at a LOW LEVEL, providing only the desired level of illuminance and nothing more. Glare and skyglow should also be considered within this, with installers reminded to consider the ground surface as some may reflect more light into the sky than intended.

CONTROL is the fourth principle and another important element in the design of low-polluting lighting installations. Systems should be completely controllable and only switched ‘on’ when they are useful. Products which have integral control, such as dimmable functionality, selectable colour temperature and selectable power function are a must as they can be set to optimise colour, performance, and energy usage. Integral electronic photocell, microwave sensor and smart options are also recommended, ensuring products are only in use exactly when they are needed.

Finally, the COLOUR of the lamps is hugely important in reducing light pollution. A warmer colour with a CCT of 3000K or less should be used as they have a lower blue-violet component.

Products

Aside from the five Dark Sky Design principals, installers also need to be made aware of the importance of careful product selection and the benefits/properties of those chosen. Alongside IDA approved products, it’s important that installers select robust luminaires with optics that combine advanced lens technology and enhanced glare control designs. These products, alongside shielded designs, will ensure a minimal amount of light is given off upward, preventing light pollution. A fixed mounting system is also advisable, helping to ensure that light is distributed in line with photometric testing.

Light pollution is a very real issue affecting our planet and it is important that action is taken immediately to reduce its negative impact. The changes required are simple and straightforward to implement but their adoption is dependent on heightening awareness of the issue and how it can be avoided. By highlighting responsible outdoor lighting practices, using shielded fixtures, implementing proper light control measures, and raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural darkness, installers can be supported to adopt responsible outdoor lighting practices and create lighting systems that reduce light pollution.

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The regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems is a legal requirement but often the process is flawed, putting lives at risk. In this article, Chris Anderson, Technical Manager at Ansell Lighting, highlights the issues that can compromise the reliability of emergency lighting systems and explores the emerging new methods of control and monitoring set to overcome them. 

A crucial part of ensuring an environment is safe when normal illumination fails, emergency lighting is a legal requirement in all public, commercial and high occupancy residential buildings. Designed to protect occupants when there is sudden darkness caused by a power cut, fire or other circumstance, emergency lighting should provide sufficient light for long enough to enable all occupants to evacuate a building safely. 

When embarking on an emergency lighting installation, one of the key considerations is ease of maintenance and testing, so it is vital that this is part of the sales message for the wholesaler.   

So, what is required? Emergency lighting systems must be tested and maintained at regular intervals by law and in accordance with the latest regulations to ensure they are fit for purpose. Emergency light testing is a central part of regular building maintenance and most insurance companies require it. Often stipulated within the design brief, commonly building users can opt for emergency lighting systems that either require manual testing or incorporate self-test products.  

When a manual test is carried out, once all lighting circuits and luminaires have been isolated, a tester has to pass through the whole building or circuit, checking that each emergency luminaire is operating correctly. The mains supply is then restored and the whole building or circuit must be walked again to check that the emergency lights have returned to being operational. 

Cost effective maintenance 

An obvious solution is the self-test lighting systems which allow for more cost effective maintenance. When the unit is first installed the fitter can randomly select a test date of between 200 and 365 days. Once this date is set it will continue to test at the same time every year for a full three-hour test. Every 30 days the installation will also be automatically tested for 10 minutes. A small LED button on the fitting will illuminate to show either regular function or that a fault has occurred. 

Whilst self-test systems clearly have the advantage over manual compliance testing, it too can still be imperfect. In both cases, if buildings are unoccupied or being renovated for example, it may not be possible to check luminaires often enough to comply with legal requirements and assess whether emergency lighting systems are up to code.  

The consequences for business owners and responsible persons who fail to comply with fire safety legislation and emergency lighting rules can be very serious. Ultimately, a fire can have tragic consequences if occupants cannot safely escape with owners and those in positions of responsibility being liable to prosecution. Unfortunately, a lack of sufficient emergency lighting remains a regular cause of health and safety cases coming before the courts and a guilty verdict can result in hefty fines or building owners and landlords facing imprisonment. 

However, advancements in new technology are set to provide a solution to these problems entirely, making the control and maintenance of emergency lighting systems more straight forward, cost effective and timely.  

Visual display 

Providing central monitoring capability, a ‘dashboard’ can now provide a visual display of a building’s lighting system in one place. This enables all connected emergency lighting systems to be tested wirelessly and automatically at the touch of a button and can highlight remotely whether an individual luminaire or driver is outside of expected operational parameters.  

Improving efficiency, they can provide insight and access to emergency lighting systems throughout a building or an estate – not just singular installations – improving the speed of testing and maintenance and removing the need for costly and time-consuming manual checks. 

Dashboards are also a great support when it comes to management and reporting. Alongside providing full real time visibility of compliance status at all times, dashboards  store historical test reports and data logs for all connected buildings and systems. This enables those responsible for building maintenance to access information whenever it is required.  

With economic pressures being felt across the board and working practices changing, the use of dashboards is set to become increasingly popular amongst building managers and those working in the emergency lighting maintenance arena.   

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