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Cleveland Fire Brigade
Cleveland Fire Brigade - Protecting Local Communities
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Emergency escape lighting

image of an emergency exit sign.
Fire Exit Signage

Legal requirements

The main reason for installing an emergency lighting system is to enable the building to meet fire safety legislation in a way that is visually acceptable and meets the user’s needs for ease of operation and maintenance.


Consequently it is important to establish all the relevant legal requirements for emergency lighting and fire alarm systems before commencing any design or installation and these should ideally be agreed between the system designer, user, fire authority, building control officer and system installer. The following information may give you guidance under Article 14 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. It is without prejudice to anything which may be required by an enforcing authority.

 

Design objective

BS 5266, when referring to the provision of Escape Lighting requires that when the supply to all or part of the normal lighting in occupied premises fails, escape lighting is required to fulfil the following functions:


(a) To indicate clearly and unambiguously the escape routes.

(b) To provide illumination along such routes to allow safe movement towards and through the exits provided.

(c) To ensure that fire alarm call points and fire fighting equipment along escape routes can be readily located.

(d) To permit operations concerned with safety measures.



Other requirements

In addition to fire safety legislation, some workplaces require a licence from the Local Authority, including theatres and cinemas, sport stadiums and premises for public entertainment, music, dancing, gambling and the sale of alcohol. Other premises must be registered with the Local Authority and be inspected by the Fire Authority, including nursing homes, children's homes, residential care homes and independent schools. Both licensed and registered premises have to pass a fire inspection to confirm that they have systems complying with BS 5266-1 for the emergency lighting and BS 5839 for fire equipment. Records of a system are now essential to maintain the validity of approvals and licences.


Location of emergency luminaires

Initial design is conducted by situating luminaires to reveal specific hazards and highlight safety equipment and signs, in addition to providing illumination to assist safe travel along the escape route. This should be performed regardless of whether it is an emergency escape route or an open (anti-panic) area. Only when this is accomplished should the type of luminaire or its light output be considered.


BS5266 Pt 7: 1999 requires that the luminaires sited at points of emphasis must comply with BS EN 60 598-2-22. Specific locations where a luminaire must be provided are:


Legislative Fire Safety Advice

Bonfires and fireworks

Emergency escape lighting

Escape routes

Fire detection and warning systems

Fire fighting and facilities on premises

Fire risk assessment

Fire safety management and fire emergency plan

Maintenance and recording

Quality assurance

Risks and preventative measures

Signs and notices

Sprinklers, the facts

Training and instruction

Useful fire safety links

 

Graphic showing locations of exit signs in corridors
image shoiwing emergency exit lighting and signs in corridors
image showing emergency lighting and exit signage
Please note - the term near means within 2 metres measured horizontally

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Locate luminaires at the following essential areas in the buildings

Locate luminaires at the following essential areas in the buildings. These locations are not part of the escape route but because of their risk they require protection by emergency lighting.


Image showing how to light escape routes
Image showing more light escape routes


Ensure exit signs are of correct format and size

Section 4.1 of BS5266 Pt 7 states that Signs which are provided at all exits intended to be used in an emergency and along escape routes shall be illuminated to indicate unambiguously the route of escape to a point of safety. Where direct sight of an emergency exit is not possible, an illuminated directional sign (or series of signs) shall be provided to assist progression towards the emergency exit.


If there is any doubt as to the most appropriate format of sign, guidance should be obtained from the Fire Authority.


Maximum viewing distances

For all format of safety signs the maximum viewing distances and luminance conditions are given in BS 5266 Pt7/EN 1838 Signs can be either internally illuminated, such as exit boxes or edge lit emergency luminaires with a screened sign that have a controlled luminance, or painted signs with an external emergency light illuminating them. Maximum viewing distances are:


Image of illuminated internal fire exit signage


Escape route lighting

When the points of emphasis have been covered, it is essential to provide any additional luminaires to ensure that minimum luminance levels are met to enable the routes to be used safely. In addition, every compartment on the escape route must have at least two luminaires, to provide some light in the event of luminaire failure. BS 5266 Pt 7: 1999 (EN1838) calls for a minimum of 1 lux anywhere on the centre line of the escape route for normal risks.


Image showing core areas


Open (anti-panic) core areas

Areas larger than 60m2, open areas with an escape route passing through them, or hazards identified by the building risk assessment all require emergency lighting. The current standard is easy to design for and to verify, promoting systems that provide good uniformity rather than ones that use a few large output luminaires.


High risk task area lighting

Areas of high physical risk, or the control rooms of dangerous plant and production lines, need emergency lighting to enable them to be shut down safely.


Testing and log book

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires that appropriate testing is performed to maintain compliance of the system. The system should include adequate facilities for testing and recording the system condition. These need to be appropriate for the specific site and should be considered as part of the system design.


Wiring installation

The wiring of emergency luminaires should generally be in accordance with normal wiring practice (I.E.E. Wiring Regulations), statutory requirements applicable to the type of building, local by-laws and regulations.

 

 

EXAMPLE OF SYSTEM DESIGN

Plan of an example system design on floor of a building
Locate luminaires (X) at points of emphasis on escape route.

a. At each exit door

b. To illuminate exit and safety signs

c. Near call points (some covered by a.)

d. Near each staircase

e. Change of direction (covered by b.)

f. Near fire fighting equipment (covered by a.)

g. Change of floor level

h. Near intersection of escape routes

i. Outside final exits

k. Near first aid points


Other areas, which require emergency lighting but are not on the escape route area.


1. Lift car

2. Toilet (above 8m2 floor area)

3. Escalators

4. Plant room


Anti-panic open areas (x) apply to any areas over 60m2 floor area, or that have an escape route passing through them.


High risk lighting requirement for an acid bath (m) is included in the design.

 

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