Emergency Lighting Requirements in Buildings

What This Requirement Covers

Emergency lighting provides illumination to escape routes when the normal lighting fails, enabling occupants to find their way out of a building safely. Approved Document B requires emergency escape lighting in buildings where escape routes would not be adequately illuminated by natural light, or where the building use or layout means occupants may not be familiar with the escape routes.

Key Requirements

Where Emergency Lighting Is Required

1. All escape routes in non-domestic buildings that are enclosed or lack adequate natural daylight
2. Common parts of blocks of flats (corridors, stairways, lobbies) of three or more storeys
3. HMOs of three or more storeys
4. All escape routes in buildings with sleeping accommodation (hotels, hostels, care homes)
5. Open-plan areas exceeding 60 m² in non-domestic buildings
6. Changes of direction and level on escape routes
7. Final exit doors and at external areas immediately outside final exits
8. Locations of fire-fighting equipment, fire alarm call points, and fire safety signage
9. Lift cars
10. Toilet facilities exceeding 8 m² floor area

Design Standards

Emergency lighting must comply with BS 5266-1 (Code of practice for the emergency escape lighting of premises)

1. Minimum illuminance on the centre line of escape routes: 1 lux
2. Minimum illuminance across the full width of escape routes: 0.5 lux (excluding a 0.5 m border strip)
3. Open areas (anti-panic lighting): minimum 0.5 lux at floor level across the entire area
4. High-risk task areas: minimum 10% of normal illumination or 15 lux, whichever is greater
5. Duration: minimum 3 hours for all emergency lighting
6. Full rated illuminance must be achieved within 5 seconds of mains failure (60 seconds for high-risk areas)
7. Uniformity ratio must not exceed 40:1 (maximum to minimum illuminance)

System Types

1. Self-contained luminaires: Each fitting has its own battery and charging circuit; simplest to install and maintain
2. Central battery systems: A central battery supplies all emergency luminaires via a dedicated circuit; suitable for larger buildings
3. Maintained fittings: Operate at all times (in addition to normal lighting); required in places of entertainment and where lighting could be dimmed
4. Non-maintained fittings: Operate only when the normal supply fails; suitable for most applications

Testing and Maintenance

1. Monthly functional test: Brief test to confirm operation of each luminaire (BS 5266-1 recommends monthly)
2. Annual full-duration test: Run each fitting for the full rated duration (3 hours) and measure illuminance
3. Results must be recorded in a log book
4. Automatic test systems (BS 62034) may be used to reduce manual testing burden

Practical Compliance Tips

1. Design emergency lighting at the same time as the general lighting scheme to ensure coverage of all critical areas
2. Self-contained LED emergency luminaires are the most cost-effective solution for most residential and commercial projects
3. In existing buildings being refurbished, survey the escape routes to identify areas requiring emergency lighting
4. Ensure final exit doors and fire alarm call points are illuminated by emergency lighting even if the escape route appears to have natural light during the day
5. Label all emergency luminaires with the installation date and last test date
6. Include emergency lighting testing in the building maintenance schedule and the fire risk assessment action plan
7. For blocks of flats, ensure the responsible person or managing agent includes emergency lighting in the common parts maintenance contract