Emergency lighting, safety lighting, standby lighting
The terms are often mixed up. Emergency lighting is the umbrella term for lighting that works when the general power supply fails. It is divided into:
- Safety lighting for escape routes: makes escape routes and exits clearly recognisable and usable.
- Open area (anti-panic) lighting: prevents panic in larger areas without designated escape routes and makes it possible to reach an escape route.
- Safety lighting for high-risk workplaces: makes it possible to complete hazardous tasks safely, for example on running machinery.
- Standby lighting: allows work to continue during a power failure. It is not safety lighting in the narrower sense.
Which regulations apply?
In Germany several sets of rules interlock. Which of them are binding for your building depends on its use, size and building permit:
| Set of rules | What it covers |
|---|---|
| German Workplace Ordinance and ASR A2.3 | Escape routes and emergency exits, safety lighting based on the risk assessment |
| ASR A3.4 | Lighting of workplaces, including safety lighting |
| State building regulations and special-building ordinances | Requirements for assembly, retail or accommodation buildings, car parks and high-rise buildings, for example |
| DIN EN 1838 | Lighting requirements for emergency lighting |
| DIN VDE V 0108-100-1 and DIN EN 50172 | Design, installation, operation and testing of safety lighting systems |
| DIN EN 62034 | Automatic test systems for battery-powered safety lighting |
| DIN EN ISO 7010, ASR A1.3 | Design of escape route signs |
How bright does safety lighting have to be?
DIN EN 1838 sets minimum values. Typical requirements at a glance:
| Area | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Escape routes up to 2 m wide | At least 1 lx on the centre line at floor level, with the central band at least 50 % of that |
| Safety equipment: fire extinguishers, fire alarm call points, first-aid points, emergency call points | At least 5 lx vertically at the location of the equipment |
| Open area (anti-panic) lighting | At least 0.5 lx on the unobstructed floor area |
| High-risk workplaces | At least 10 % of the normal illuminance, and at least 15 lx |
| Switch-on behaviour on escape routes | 50 % after 5 seconds, 100 % after 60 seconds |
| Uniformity | Ratio of maximum to minimum illuminance no more than 40:1 |
Fire extinguishers, fire alarm call points, first-aid points and other safety equipment must remain easy to find and use in emergency mode – which is why at least 5 lx applies there instead of 1 lx. Under DIN EN 1838 the rated operating duration is at least one hour; building regulations require longer times for certain buildings, frequently three hours. What counts are the current versions of the standards and the requirements for your building.
Planning exit signs properly
Exit signs show the way out. They have to remain recognisable during a power failure – either internally illuminated (the luminaire is the sign) or externally lit.
- Viewing distance: internally illuminated signs can be recognised from further away than externally lit signs of the same size. The size of the sign depends on the viewing distance required.
- Directional information: at every change of direction and wherever the next exit is not directly visible.
- Design: green escape route signs to DIN EN ISO 7010.
Self-contained, group battery or central battery?
| System | Principle | Strengths | Points to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-contained battery | Every luminaire has its own battery | Easy to retrofit, no battery rooms, no fire-resistant wiring | Batteries to be replaced in every luminaire, many individual units to test |
| Group battery | One battery supplies a limited number of luminaires | Intermediate solution for medium-sized buildings | Requirements for cabling and installation locations |
| Central battery | One central system supplies all luminaires | Central monitoring and maintenance | Battery room, fire-resistant cabling, higher initial investment |
Modern self-contained luminaires with long-life batteries and automatic self-tests are an economical solution for many commercial buildings today. The Series 19 safety lighting from TRiALED uses self-contained battery technology, automated self-tests, digital monitoring and up to three hours of emergency operation, depending on the version.
Testing duties: what, when, how often?
Safety lighting has to be tested regularly and the tests documented. Typical intervals under DIN VDE V 0108-100-1 and DIN EN 50172:
| Interval | Testing |
|---|---|
| Daily | Visual check of the indicators on central systems |
| Monthly | Function test: switch to emergency mode, every luminaire and sign lights up |
| Annually | Duration test: the system has to last for the required time |
| Regularly by an approved inspector | For special buildings under state law, often every three years |
All tests belong in a log book. Automatic test systems to DIN EN 62034 carry out function and duration tests independently and record the results. That saves inspection walks and prevents tests from being forgotten.
Modernising existing emergency lighting
Older systems often have fluorescent lamps whose replacements are becoming scarce, batteries at the end of their life and patchy documentation. Modernising to LED reduces energy consumption and maintenance, and automatic test systems can be included straight away. You can read more about networked solutions in our posts Emergency lighting rethought and Emergency lighting that organises itself.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.Frequently asked questions
Where is emergency lighting mandatory?
That follows from the risk assessment under workplace law as well as from building regulations and special-building ordinances, for example for assembly and retail buildings, large car parks or high-rise buildings. The fire protection concept can also require safety lighting.
How bright does emergency lighting have to be?
On escape routes at least 1 lx on the centre line at floor level, at fire extinguishers, fire alarm call points and first-aid points at least 5 lx, and for open area lighting at least 0.5 lx. High-risk workplaces need at least 10 % of the normal illuminance and at least 15 lx.
How often does emergency lighting have to be tested?
A monthly function test and an annual duration test are typical, plus daily visual checks on central systems. All tests are documented. Special buildings are additionally inspected by approved inspectors.
How long does emergency lighting have to stay on?
Under DIN EN 1838 at least one hour. For certain buildings, building regulations require longer periods, frequently three hours.
Which is better: self-contained or central battery?
Self-contained systems are easy to retrofit and need no battery room. Central battery systems offer central monitoring but require a battery room and fire-resistant cabling. Modern self-contained luminaires with self-testing are economical for many buildings.
