How to choose LED emergency lighting: what are the options and how do they compare?

 

Different types of emergency lights are suitable for different environments. In this guide we will

• Explain the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting
• Run through the different types of lights, what their features are where they can be used
• Profile the best emergency lights for offices and homes and offer customer reviews
• Answer some maintenance, legal and testing FAQs

Jump to the section you need:

• What is emergency lighting? Maintained vs non-maintained and what are you required to install
• The options: types of emergency lights compared
• Best emergency light for the homes
• Best emergency lights for offices
• Emergency light accessories
• LED emergency lights review
• FAQs

What is emergency lighting?

Emergency lights are designed to ensure there is still light when a building’s main power supply cuts out. Battery-backed devices that switch on automatically, they are fitted as standard in commercial offices and new-build residential homes.

They are safety mechanism, so that if the main power cuts out people can still see and safely navigate their way through a building. Emergency lighting is often used to lead people towards emergency exits and to safety as quickly as possible.

There are two types of emergency lighting:

Maintained emergency lighting

These lights are designed for continuous normal use in non-emergency situations. They run off the mains supply until that cuts out, which is when they take power from a backup battery. Maintained emergency lights are normally used in public buildings like shopping centres or cinemas where people may not be familiar with the layout of the building.

Non-maintained emergency lighting

These lights use a backup battery and are only active in emergencies. They are normally used without maintained lighting in offices and spaces where the occupants will be familiar with the layout. Lots of public buildings will use both maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting.

Which one do I need?

If you are looking for lights for an office or industrial environment with a simple layout non-maintained should be enough.

If you are looking for lights for a building that has a lot of members of the public coming in who might not be familiar with the layout you should install maintained and non-maintained emergency lights.

There is no legal stipulation to install maintained or non-maintained lights but you must have sufficient lighting if the power goes out. Read more about legal requirements in our FAQs below.

What are the options? Types of LED emergency lights

Click the links to view each range of emergency lighting

How different types of emergency lighting compare:

	Panel	Bulkhead	Batten	Sign	Twin spots	Downlight	Gear tray
Position	Ceiling	Ceiling Wall	Ceiling	Ceiling	Ceiling Wall	Ceiling	Ceiling
Locations	Offices Warehouses Businesses	Businesses Industrial spaces Outside spaces	Industrial Businesses Offices	Businesses Offices Industrial Modern homes	Industrial Warehouses Car parks	Homes Offices	Offices Businesses
Maintained or non-maintained	Maintained	Both available	Non-maintained	Both available	Both available	Maintained	Maintained
Shape	Square Rectangular	Rectangular Circular	Rectangular	Rectangular	Box-like	Circular	Circular
IP rating	IP20	IP54–IP65	IP65	IP20	IP20	IP54	IP20
Regular life expectancy	35,000–50,000	30,000 hours	50,000 hours	6 years	50,000 hours	50,000 hours	25,000 hours
Emergency battery duration	3 hours	3 hours	3 hours	6 years	3 hours	3 hours	3 hours
Lumen output ? Lumens is a measurement of light output (brightness). Lumens are indicated by lm.	3,600lm–6,300lm	80lm–1,150lm	2,400lm	16lm	500lm	850lm	1,440lm

Best emergency light for homes

Emergency SOLO All In One 10w LED Dimmable Downlight

The Emergency SOLO All In One is a maintained light, meaning that in normal situations it can function as a standard light source.

However, the All in One downlight is far from standard. The ability to change the colour temperature from ultra-warm through to ultra-cool means it is a great choice for anywhere in the home, from living rooms to bathrooms.

The emergency pack comes pre-wired in a fireproof pack which consists of a 3-cell D Type battery and Lite plan NED/3/80 emergency module. The downlight can run in emergency mode for three hours.

Emergency SOLO all-in-one information

Wattage	10w
Voltage	220–240
Lumens (lm)	850
Switching cycles	100,000
Line frequency	50–60
Lamp diameter	110
Lamp length	110
Colour temperature	3,000k/4,000k/6,000k
Colour rendering index	80
Fire rated	90 mins
Dimming capability	Yes
Beam angle (o)	40
IP rating	54
Lifespan	50,000 hours
Manufacturer	Brite Source
Warranty	5 years

Best emergency lights for offices

Type of LED	Benefits	Image
Emergency 40w LED Panel 600 x 600	Suitable to be installed in all recessed applications Maintained lighting 3-hour emergency mode All components are pre-wired and tested Square shape 37.5% energy savings 35,000 hours average life 3,000k temperature Click here to find out more
Emergency 72w LED Panel 4,000k–1,200mm x 600mm	Custom-made to order 3-hour emergency mode High lumen output: 6,000lm 37.5% energy savings Average life 50,000 hours Click here to find out more
LED Emergency Exit Box	Comes in maintained function as standard 16 lumen IP20 6-year life expectancy Batteries supplied Click here to find out more

Emergency light accessories

Accessory	Information	Image
Liteplan NED LED Emergency module	An emergency lighting conversion kit Designed to convert regular LED panel to an emergency panel Provides 3 hours of emergency lighting For use with 2-30 LEDs in series (6–80v). Module size: 165mm x 45mm 29mm Fixing points 155mm Click here to find out more
Emergency Battery 3 Cell Stick c/w Leads	A 3.6 volt D cell, nickel cadmium rechargeable 3‑cell battery stick for use with emergency lighting The equivalent to a 3DH4-0L4 YUASA Click here to find out more
15w LED 2D Emergency Gear Tray—Standard White	15w LED emergency gear tray to replace a standard 28w 2D emergency gear tray Designed to convert existing fittings Click here to find out more

LED emergency lights reviews

 

(2 Reviews)

“Brilliant customer service, delivery fast and communication spot on. Many thanks will definitely recommend you.”

Sonya Pws (reviewing: Emergency 40w LED Panel 4000k - 600mm x 600mm – click to buy)

(1 Review)

“Well made and does a job”

John (reviewing: Emergency 14w LED POLO Bulkhead – click to buy)

(1 Review)

“Best price, good product and easy to fit. Can't grumble”

Jez (5w LED Emergency Twin Spot – click to buy)

FAQs

• When are emergency lights required?
• How long should emergency lights stay on?
• Who can test emergency lighting?
• How do I test emergency lights?
• How often does emergency lighting need to be checked?
• Is emergency lighting a legal requirement?
• What is the minimum lux level for emergency lighting?
• What is self-contained emergency lighting?
• How do I turn off emergency lights?

When are emergency lights required?

Emergency lighting is essential for almost every building.

The legal requirement is that all non-domestic/multi-storey residential buildings (hotels, nursing homes, schools, offices, shops, museums, licensed premises etc.) must be safe at all times, even if the main power is cut.

How long should emergency lights stay on?

Emergency lighting should remain lit for at least one hour.

Depending on the size and complexity of the building, it is likely emergency lighting will need to stay on for more than one hour. At least three hours is required if the premises are unlikely to be evacuated immediately—for example, hotels and multi-storey residential buildings.

One hour is simply the legal minimum for emergency lighting—it costs very little to increase that to three hours or more. In these situations, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Who can test emergency lighting?

The occupier/owner of the premises can appoint a competent person to supervise servicing of the emergency lighting system.

When testing the emergency lights, the owner of the building can train one of their employees to carry out the necessary tests. However, if any faults are found in the system the owner would need to hire a trained engineer to fix them, as failing to do so would go against electrical regulations.

How do I test emergency lights?

1. To simulate a power failure, switch off power from the circuit via the circuit breaker.
2. Walk through the whole building, checking that the emergency lights are working.
3. If any emergency lights are malfunctioning, make a note in your building’s fire safety logbook and call out an electrician ASAP.
4. Switch the main power back on.
5. Re-walk the route to ensure the emergency lights are now off (non-maintained) or still functioning (maintained).

How often does emergency lighting need to be checked?

You should carry out monthly tests and annual tests.

Monthly emergency lighting test

• You must test all emergency lighting systems each month.
• Check that emergency lights and signs are clean and in working order.
• The test needs to be long enough to check that the lights are working properly.
• You must record your results and have any issues fixed ASAP.

Annual emergency lighting test

Once a year, you must drain your emergency lights fully—that is, leave them on for their full battery life (this might be one hour, three hours etc.). The lights should stay on for that entire time.

• Switch off the main electricity supply.
• Check all the lights. They must still be working at the end of the test.
• Record results and fix any issues ASAP.
• Switch the mains back on.

Is emergency lighting a legal requirement?

Yes for all non-domestic buildings and for high-rise residential areas.

For more information about emergency lighting legislation, visit firesafe.org.uuk

What is the minimum lux level for emergency lighting?

The minimum lux level depends on where the emergency light is located.

Lux levels are a unit of illuminance over distance.

1 lux = the illumination of a surface of one square metre that is one metre away from a single candle

Lux levels are important for emergency lighting as they are essential to protect people during a power outage.

Escape route from the building: 50% of the width of the route should be lit to a minimum of 1 lux

The lux levels need to relate to the nature of the premises, with extra care taken for areas such as hospitals, crowded venues and supermarkets etc.

What is self-contained emergency lighting?

A self-contained emergency light contains all the elements required—control unit, lamp, battery etc.—within the unit itself (or within one metre of the unit).

LEDs are normally self-contained to make them as simple to use as possible.

How do I turn off emergency lights?

Emergency lights contain a timer that turns the emergency battery off after 10–15 minutes of the power being restored.

If your emergency light is non-maintained (not designed to run off the mains supply) and is still illuminated, you have a fault. Contact an electrician as soon as possible.