No matter how much we prevent fire accidents from happening, there is no guarantee that they will not. Thus, fire safety and protection equipment are installed to help contain the fire.
However, some are not intended to stop the fire, but to help the occupants escape the premises safely. Emergency exit signs and emergency lighting are such. These equipment illuminate the escape routes and nearest exit. They are vital in the emergency and evacuation plan of a building.
Australian Standards AS 3012 requires workplaces to install and maintain emergency and exit lighting to ensure that a safe passage is clearly visible to the occupants of the building.
The standard also outlines the guidelines of the installation of the equipment. The guidelines answer which part of the building must have emergency and exit lighting.
Premises With Over 300m2 Floor Area
The size and type of building are determining factors if emergency and exit lights are required to be installed. A building with over 300m2 floor area is required to have emergency luminaires installed.
However, if the area is less than 300m2, the class of the building is referred to know if it needs any emergency lighting installed. If you are unsure of your building’s classification, contact FCF Fire & Electrical and have your building checked.
Class 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 Building
If your building is classified as 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 and has at least one storey with a 300m2 floor area or more, emergency and exit lightings are required.
Areas With Inadequate Natural Light
Passageways and areas should have enough light for building occupants to evacuate safely. Thus, areas and spaces with inadequate natural light must have an appropriate emergency and exit lighting.
Fire-isolated Passageway, Ramp, and/or Stairway
These areas in the building need enough emergency and exit lighting. These areas can be difficult to access through in the dark, especially during emergencies.
It is especially important to have emergency and exit lighting installed for buildings that are open to the public. These include shopping malls, retail stores, clinics and more. It is vital the building is prepared for any emergencies.
Furthermore, enclosed spaces and stairwells without a natural light source must also have emergency and exit lights installed.
Fire accidents may lead to power outages. And so, it is crucial that emergency and exit lightings are powered independently or backed up with batteries. This will ensure that these lights will work even without the main power source.
Emergency lights and exit signs should clearly show the escape route or it will defeat its purpose.
If the emergency light has only one lamp, ensure that this will be enough to illuminate the area. It is best to have at least 2 emergency and exit lighting on every storey of a building. But, the number will depend on the size and design of the building, as well as the number of employees or occupants.
Would you and your staff be able to find an escape route in case of an emergency? In these scenarios, emergency lights and exit signs are your refuge. Ensure that you have enough installed. Furthermore, ensure that they are in working condition at all times by having them inspected regularly.
Contact FCF Fire and Electrical today and secure your place. We supply, install and service a wide range of fire protection services including emergency and exit lighting. Get a free quote from us.
