The Importance of LED Emergency Lights in Fire Events

When mains electricity fails, LED emergency lights highlight routes clearly, helping individuals move towards safety without confusion.

Unlike fluorescent alternatives, LEDs don’t delay and produce stable light. This is vital during a building exit when clear sight is essential.

They also maintain uniform brightness throughout their life, avoiding dim patches in key areas such as exit zones.

Benefits of Upgrading to Modern LED Fittings

Older systems using fluorescent tubes often need constant maintenance and are less efficient overall.

LED units can run for tens of thousands of hours with limited degradation, saving money and improving long-term planning.

Even during routine checks, their low consumption helps reduce energy usage.

Thanks to their solid design, LED lights resist damage with vibrations, ambient changes, and ongoing testing.

Types of LED Emergency Lights

• Maintained units: Operate continuously during both normal operation and outages. Suitable for function halls where constant lighting is required.


• Non-maintained units: Only illuminate during a power cut. Often seen in storage areas where lighting is not always needed.


• Exit signage: LED signs with strong contrast that stay visible in smoky conditions, directing people quickly to exits.


• Bulkheads: These are tough fittings for exposed service areas, designed to last in harsh conditions.

Meeting Safety Standards with Proper Setup

To ensure legal compliance, LED emergency lights must be installed and tested according more info to BS 5266.

This includes placing them near critical zones, and ensuring they cover essential areas such as switchboards.

Newer models often come with self-test capabilities that alert to failures, helping to ease maintenance scheduling.

Why LED Emergency Lights Are a Smart Choice

Reliable performance supports safe navigation during power loss, while resilience brings value to building owners.

LED systems can be retrofitted into existing safety setups with minimal rewiring and support low carbon operations through energy efficiency.

FAQs

How long do LEDs for emergency use typically operate?

Most models provide steady performance for several years before battery or circuit replacement is required.

Do they need professional installation?

Yes, a qualified electrician should fit them in line with BS 5266 to ensure safety and compliance.

Are older systems compatible with LED units?

Yes, many LED fittings are compatible with standard fire systems, but confirm wiring compatibility first.

Is it worth choosing a self-test version?

Definitely, as it simplifies compliance, especially useful in low-maintenance environments.

What brightness level should escape routes have?

Lighting must meet regulatory lighting levels, and reputable LEDs ensure compliant illumination.