The Best Practices For Maintaining Emergency Lighting Systems

In commercial buildings, you may find lighting fixtures that illuminate escape routes, stairwells, and safety signage to safely guide occupants to the exit. These bulbs are known as emergency lighting systems. This type of lighting installation activates when the regular power supply fails. It plays an important role during outages, fires, or other emergencies. Beyond its purpose, a reliable emergency lighting system is more than a legal requirement. It is an important safety feature to have when establishing a commercial business. For business owners, maintaining these systems is a key aspect of regulatory compliance. In this article, we’ll tackle the best practices for maintaining backup lighting systems. Importance of Emergency Lighting Systems Emergency lighting is a fixture generally found in exit signage, corridors, and stairwells that is powered by a battery or generator. Common types of backup lighting include standby lighting, exit lighting, and emergency backup lighting that only activates in the event of the primary supply failure. In Western Australia, commercial establishments are required to adhere to local building codes in order to operate their businesses. Specifically, business owners are required to follow the AS/NZS 2293 standards. This set of rules governs the emergency lighting systems and exit signage on buildings. This will ensure the safe evacuation of occupants during critical moments. Why Proper Lighting Installation Matters Noncompliance with building codes can result in penalties, fines, and increased liability. That said, improper lighting installation for emergency systems can fail when it is needed the most. In addition, this leaves occupants in the dark and exposes them to safety risks. That’s why hiring licensed electricians in Perth for safe and compliant installations should be the topmost priority. These professionals assess the building’s layout, occupancy load, and fire safety strategies to ensure the correct installation of emergency systems. With careful attention, backup lighting fixtures become a dependable safety measure for years to come. Best Practices for Emergency Lighting Maintenance Proper maintenance guarantees that the emergency lighting installation functions when needed. That said, here are the standard procedures to ensure optimal performance of these systems: Regular Inspection The best practice for ensuring the emergency lighting system works is to conduct regular inspections and maintenance. A monthly visual check should be performed to confirm that units are unobstructed, indicator lights are functioning properly, and fittings show no signs of damage. In addition, periodic testing by a local electrician near you should be done at the following frequencies: Biannual testing (every six months) Comprehensive annual testing Major testing at 10 years or at the end of the light source’s lifespan Routine checkups ensure that backup power is capable of sustaining emergency lighting during a prolonged outage. This helps measure light levels, confirm battery capacity, and verify system redundancy to make sure all fittings meet current regulatory standards. It also helps prevent failures and ensures the safety of occupants during emergencies. Routine Maintenance Tasks Aside from regular inspections, routine maintenance tasks should be performed to ensure long-term performance. Faulty bulbs and LED modules should be promptly replaced. Batteries should be checked for voltage, capacity, and overall state of charge to confirm that they can provide reliable backup power when needed. In addition, wiring, connectors, and the electrical switchboard should be upgraded to keep the system aligned with changing safety codes. Get Emergency Lighting Installation with SolArk Electrical Commercial establishments are required to have emergency lighting that functions reliably during unexpected power outages. These systems ensure the safety of your premises, people, and reputation. With proper lighting installation, you can be confident that your building operates within established standards. Fortunately, companies like SolArk Electrical exist to provide comprehensive commercial electrical services throughout Perth and Western Australia. With over 10 years of experience, our team of licensed electricians can manage all aspects of commercial electrical work. For more information, visit our website today! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here are frequently asked questions about emergency lighting to help you make informed choices for safety and compliance: What are the three types of emergency lighting? Emergency lighting typically comes in three types: maintained, non-maintained, and exit lighting. Maintained lights are always on and provide continuous illumination, while non-maintained lights only activate during a power failure. Exit lighting is specifically designed to guide occupants safely out of a building in the event of an emergency. Do emergency lights need their own circuit? Yes, emergency lights generally require a dedicated circuit to ensure they operate independently of the main power supply. This setup helps prevent other devices from negatively affecting their performance and guarantees illumination during outages. Proper installation also ensures your system fully complies with safety regulations and building codes.