Failing to comply with emergency lighting regulations endangers a building’s occupants, while putting owners and occupying organisations at risk of significant penalties. Yet a lack of knowledge around emergency lighting regulations means breaches remain all too common, especially in the healthcare sector, says Liam Greene, emergency lighting product manager at Thorlux Lighting.
According to our recent research, more than 2,000 premises — including NHS hospitals — are failing fire inspections in a year, specifically because of inadequate emergency lighting.
Indeed, emergency lighting is vital in all non-residential premises but critical buildings such as care homes or hospitals, where potentially hundreds of patients, including those who are immobile, may need to be evacuated quickly and safely in the event of a power failure or serious event.
Emergency lighting is a life safety system required by the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for non-domestic premises and residential buildings. Emergency lighting must activate instantly in the event of power failure, which could be caused by a power failure or more serious event such as a fire. Moreover, it must illuminate escape routes, and areas where occupants must pass through to leave the premises.
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