Emergency and exit lights are not only a regulation to accomplish, they can be life-savers when power outages due to extremes of weather occur. All emergency lighting require a battery or generator system which kicks into gear when the power supply to the light is cut. Early models of emergency lighting work with incandescent light bulbs that provide enough light to evacuate a building.
Improvements in technology over recent years has led to the development of LED lighting. Just one high powered LED chip can emit 7527 lumens while using only 100 watts, in comparison a standard 90-watt bulb produces only 12-15 lumens per watt. The LED (light emitting diode) lamp was originally engineered for use in oil and gas extraction industries under the most extreme environments. LED lighting now has many other applications in rail, airports, marine and logistics and LED lights have become very popular in emergency lights for businesses.
In any emergency situation, a light needs to be able to omit instantaneous bright white light. The compact low energy units of a LED light are not adversely affected by extremely low temperatures. The output of fluorescent lamps diminishes when the temperature falls below freezing. This makes LED lamps a cost effective and safe alternative to traditional fluorescent and HID emergency lamps.,LED lamps also have an extremely long life of up to 50,000 hours which is equivalent to 6 years of continuous use. This is a key advantage allowing maintenance crews to address other issues.
When thinking of a new emergency light system you will need to plan it and do some research in the exit and emergency light market, then you can think of how much you can spend, what is your ideal budget and try to stick with it. Low maintenance should be near the top, so re-lamping will rarely be required. Emergency lights with an aluminum enclosure are highly recommended and a toughened glass cover with silicone rubber gaskets and stainless steel fittings, will keep maintenance to the minimum.
Once you’ve purchased a light, if you have any problems or concerns in fitting the light, always consult a specialist, even if it’s only for some preliminary advice.