5 Ways to Improve Safety with Lighting

Emergency and exit lights are designed to guide people to safety during an emergency. These are often stand-alone systems, which means they will stay lit during a power failure. Safety is the first thing we think of when planning a building but what about lighting? Lighting outside and inside can provide a a clear path to where we need to go during everyday working environments or during an emergency. In most facilities, the largest part of emergency illumination lights the pathways and exits that lead out of the building. Its intent is to facilitate evacuation of the facility, particularly in the event of a fire, and to reduce panic of occupants under stress, and in the dark.

In most buildings it is code to provide enough light to evacuate safely with clearly marked exit signs. What about lighting outside? What if there is a power outage? Do these lights have an independent power source?

With new and improved lighting solutions, Marvel Lighting is here to help provide solutions to everyday lighting safety. We offer a wide range of high performance and reliable emergency and exit lights.

1. Provide Lighting to Evacuate in an Emergency Situation

During an emergency, every second counts. You cannot have a delay in anything while trying to evacuate a building. Exit lighting and emergency lighting are very important to lead and light the way out. It is also important not only for personal in the building, but for emergency responders who might not know the layout of your building.

Fact: Did you know emergency lighting must remain illuminated for at least 90 minutes?

2. Battery Back up in Case of Power Outages

Lighting is great when there is power, but what happens if the power is out and you need light? Many of these great emergency and exit lights have a battery back up in case of a power outage. These battery back ups should last for 90 minutes during critical times when emergency guidance and lighting are needed most. If you have these lights install be sure to test them often. If they are not working properly, have them served or replaced immediately.

Fact: Did you know battery powered emergency exit signs are hard-wired with an internal battery backup system that allows the unit to operate for at least 90 minutes?

3. Exit Signs

In most buildings, it is code to provide enough light to evacuate safely with clearly marked exit signs. All pathways to exit a building must be mark appropriately, and lighting must be provided to ensure the safety of residents inside.

When it comes to exit signs there are many different choices. Exit signs come in two different colors: red and green.

Exit sign can be fitted to have emergency lights. And there are several brands that have interchange faceplates. These exit signs are clear and bright. Most are self illuminated and have a back up battery in case of power outage. Make sure your building has working and clearly marked exits with emergency and exit lights.

Fact: Did you know emergency lighting loads must be automatically energized or re-energized within 10 seconds of the electrical power outage?

4. Emergency Light

Have you ever been in a shopping mall or school and looked up? I bet you have seen a box with a light or two fixed to this box. These boxes with lights on them are emergency lighting. They are activated for a number of reasons. Most are power outages and fires.

These critical and powerful lights are necessary to the safety of all who need to make their way around and out of a building. These lights should have a back up emergency battery to preform correctly, and should be tested and replaced if they are no longer working efficiently and/or effectively.

5. Outdoor Lighting

One light aspect we have not mentioned is outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting keeps areas well-lit to prevent injury and crime. Could you imagine walking to your car at night through a dark parking light? How would you feel? Would you be able to locate your car? Would you see the displaced pavement? Probably not.

That is why outdoor lighting is so important for everyone. Many of today’s outdoor lighting are energy efficient and effective in small and large areas. Marvel Lighting is a wonderful supply of all types of lighting.

Emergency lighting is required in all nonresidential buildings. There are numerous versions of building codes and various editions of these building codes are in use around the country. Marvel Lighting is here to help navigate through the requirements and need of emergency lighting.

Your state and/or local authority with have more information on what is needed in your area according to the building code and keep every one safe. If you have questions, contact us! We are here to help.