Emergency lighting in the UK is a system of lights that are installed in buildings to provide illumination during power outages or emergency situations. These lights are designed to help people evacuate safely from the building and to allow emergency services to see inside the building.
There are several types of emergency lighting systems that are used in the UK, including:
Escape Lighting - this is the most common type of emergency lighting in the UK. It provides illumination in escape routes such as corridors, stairways, and landings. The lighting is usually powered by batteries that are automatically recharged when the main power is on.
Standby Lighting - this type of emergency lighting is used to provide backup lighting for critical areas such as control rooms, server rooms, and hospital operating theaters. The lights are powered by generators or batteries and are designed to provide continuous lighting for several hours.
High-Risk Task Area Lighting - this type of emergency lighting is used in areas where there is a high risk of accidents such as laboratories, factories, and workshops. The lighting is designed to be bright enough to allow people to work safely in the area during an emergency.
Anti-Panic Lighting - this type of emergency lighting is used in large public areas such as shopping malls, cinemas, and sports stadiums. It is designed to provide a level of illumination that will prevent panic in the event of a power failure.
In the UK, emergency lighting is governed by a set of regulations known as BS 5266. This standard sets out the requirements for the design, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems in buildings. It also specifies the minimum levels of illumination that must be provided in different areas of a building.
If you are responsible for a building in the UK, it is important to ensure that your emergency lighting system is properly installed and maintained to ensure the safety of the building occupants.
