A large number of buildings need emergency lights to comply with current regulations in Spain. In this post, we leave you the keys to this type of luminaires.
Emergency luminaires have unified regulations in Spain by the Technical Building Code (CTE). This type of luminaire is required by law, so it is only placed to comply with said regulations. They do not have an aesthetic function.
This type of lighting could be defined as a lighting system designed to facilitate the evacuation, if necessary, of a building safely if an electrical system failure occurs.
Within emergency lighting there are three types:
- Evacuation lighting: designed to recognize evacuation routes. It must provide 1 Lux at ground level and make fire points recognizable with at least 5 lux.
- Ambient or anti-panic lighting: allows access to evacuation routes. 0.5 lux are required at ground level and at least one hour of autonomy. This type of emergency light is intended to reduce the perception of fear, hence its nickname anti-panic.
- Emergency lighting for high-risk areas: designed to guarantee the safety of people carrying out dangerous activities, allowing them to be interrupted safely. A minimum horizontal lighting of 15 Luxes or 10% of the usual lighting is required. Its minimum duration must be the estimated one to leave the place.
Where should I install the emergency lights?
It is mandatoryto position self-energized type emergency lights in different places in the buildings. There must be mandatory emergency lights at: every emergency exit door, near stairs (never more than two meters), at every change in floor level, at every change in the direction of the escape route, at all intersection thereof and close to the extinguishing equipment or fire alarms.
The standard requires not only the installation of emergency lighting. There is an obligation to install luminous signaling panels in order to indicate evacuation routes. There are two colors:
- Red as prohibition, emergency equipment and fire fighting.
- Green as information panel, safe condition.
Any of these signs will feature white lettering.
Without being mandatory it is recommended to position emergency luminaires in general floor accesses in buildings for public use, near each first aid station, in closed parking lots for more than five vehicles and places with electrical panels.
Maintenance of emergency lights
At least once a year your operation must be supervised by an inspection body. In addition, it is recommended to perform quarterly tests of the lamps as well as a battery check. When carrying out the battery check, it must be taken into account that the battery must be emptied and will remain out of service for a time, until it is charged again. These types of checks must be carried out during periods when establishments are closed in the case of shops, bars, etc. Another way to do them without closing is not to check all the emergency lights at the same time and do them on different days while maintaining minimum security.
Óptima Led emergency luminaires
Emergency LED 280 Lm 3W
With an estimated lifespan of 50,000 hours, this emergency light has an elegant and extra-slim design. Its recharge time is 18 to 24 hours. It has three hours of autonomy.
4WW IP65 LED Emergency
It differs from the previous model in its IP65, protection rating. It is a waterproof, water-resistant product. Otherwise, it has the same characteristics.
