Commercial Emergency Lighting 101

 
Most business owners think of exterior lighting when they think of emergency or security lights, but interior lighting is equally important. And when you’re designing a commercial building, emergency lighting is a key component. In fact, emergency lighting is mandatory in commercial buildings according to the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code and the International Building Code.

Since you already likely have an electrician on site for other wiring needs, this preparatory time is the best time to add some emergency lighting as well.

Before you complete your electrical plan for your commercial property, here are some things to consider regarding your emergency lighting.

Basics of Emergency Lighting

The National Electric Code specifies the circuits and equipment requirements for emergency lighting, and you have a couple of important requirements you’ll need to keep in mind when planning emergency lighting for your building.

Authorized Access

All of the controls and circuit panels that can deactivate your emergency lighting must be secure so that only authorized individuals can access them. The controls that turn the emergency lights on do not have to be secured, but the controls that turn the lights off or disable them do.

Backup Power

Additionally, your electrician must integrate a sensor system and backup power that will activate within 10 seconds of the power going out. That backup power must supply power to the lights for at least an hour and a half, or longer if your evacuation plan requires more time to get everyone out of the building.

You may choose from a variety of backup power sources. Whether you incorporate an uninterruptible power supply, a backup generator powered by batteries or fuel, or another power source, the power must be reliable and have sufficient capacity to keep the lights on for the required time.

Benefits of LED Emergency Lighting

Emergency lights come in all forms. From incandescent to compact fluorescent light (CFL) to light emitting diodes (LED), you have many options. However, your electrician may recommend LED lights for your emergency lighting for many reasons.

Brighter Light

LED lights produce brighter light with less wattage. You get more lumens per watt from an LED light than you can from incandescent or CFL bulbs. This ensures clear, bright emergency lighting without excess wattage, easing the demand on your backup power system.

Longer Lifespan

Incandescent and CFL bulbs have a fraction of the lifespan of LED lights. An LED bulb’s lifespan is not affected by the on and off power cycles the way that other bulbs are, either. The increased lifespan ensures that your emergency lights are reliable and you won't need to replace them as soon as you would with other lights.

More Energy Efficient

The more efficient your lighting, the less demand that lighting will put on your emergency backup power. LED lighting is highly energy efficient, which makes it a great choice for emergency lighting. With LED lights, you can maximize that backup power and maintain the lights for far longer than with more energy-demanding bulbs.

Less Heat

Your emergency lights should never create an additional safety hazard. But traditional incandescent bulbs can do just that if the lights are on for too long. Incandescent bulbs generate heat, which can be a fire hazard if it contacts something flammable. In addition, that heat can contribute to the overall temperature in the building.

LED lights are cooler when they operate, eliminating the concerns about heat generation and potential fire hazards. Since LED lights don't generate that type of heat, these lights are safer for your emergency lighting use.

For more information about wiring your commercial property's emergency lighting, contact us at Circle Electric, Inc., today. We will be happy to help.
 

 
Most business owners think of exterior lighting when they think of emergency or security lights, but interior lighting is equally important. And when you’re designing a commercial building, emergency lighting is a key component. In fact, emergency lighting is mandatory in commercial buildings according to the National Fire Protection Association's Life Safety Code and the International Building Code.

Since you already likely have an electrician on site for other wiring needs, this preparatory time is the best time to add some emergency lighting as well.

Before you complete your electrical plan for your commercial property, here are some things to consider regarding your emergency lighting.

Basics of Emergency Lighting

The National Electric Code specifies the circuits and equipment requirements for emergency lighting, and you have a couple of important requirements you’ll need to keep in mind when planning emergency lighting for your building.

Authorized Access

All of the controls and circuit panels that can deactivate your emergency lighting must be secure so that only authorized individuals can access them. The controls that turn the emergency lights on do not have to be secured, but the controls that turn the lights off or disable them do.

Backup Power

Additionally, your electrician must integrate a sensor system and backup power that will activate within 10 seconds of the power going out. That backup power must supply power to the lights for at least an hour and a half, or longer if your evacuation plan requires more time to get everyone out of the building.

You may choose from a variety of backup power sources. Whether you incorporate an uninterruptible power supply, a backup generator powered by batteries or fuel, or another power source, the power must be reliable and have sufficient capacity to keep the lights on for the required time.

Benefits of LED Emergency Lighting

Emergency lights come in all forms. From incandescent to compact fluorescent light (CFL) to light emitting diodes (LED), you have many options. However, your electrician may recommend LED lights for your emergency lighting for many reasons.

Brighter Light

LED lights produce brighter light with less wattage. You get more lumens per watt from an LED light than you can from incandescent or CFL bulbs. This ensures clear, bright emergency lighting without excess wattage, easing the demand on your backup power system.

Longer Lifespan

Incandescent and CFL bulbs have a fraction of the lifespan of LED lights. An LED bulb’s lifespan is not affected by the on and off power cycles the way that other bulbs are, either. The increased lifespan ensures that your emergency lights are reliable and you won't need to replace them as soon as you would with other lights.

More Energy Efficient

The more efficient your lighting, the less demand that lighting will put on your emergency backup power. LED lighting is highly energy efficient, which makes it a great choice for emergency lighting. With LED lights, you can maximize that backup power and maintain the lights for far longer than with more energy-demanding bulbs.

Less Heat

Your emergency lights should never create an additional safety hazard. But traditional incandescent bulbs can do just that if the lights are on for too long. Incandescent bulbs generate heat, which can be a fire hazard if it contacts something flammable. In addition, that heat can contribute to the overall temperature in the building.

LED lights are cooler when they operate, eliminating the concerns about heat generation and potential fire hazards. Since LED lights don't generate that type of heat, these lights are safer for your emergency lighting use.

For more information about wiring your commercial property's emergency lighting, contact us at Circle Electric, Inc., today. We will be happy to help.