Regulations & practice: What companies need to consider when it comes to emergency lighting

The safety of employees, visitors and customers plays a central role in every company. Safety lighting is an often underestimated but essential component of the operational safety concept. It ensures that people can get out of a building safely, even in emergencies or in the event of a power failure, and that dangerous situations are minimized. But what regulations apply to safety lighting? What types are there and what do companies need to bear in mind when planning, installing and maintaining them? This article takes a detailed look at all the relevant aspects.

Legal basis: These regulations govern emergency lighting

Safety lighting is subject to various legal and normative requirements in Germany. One of the most important is the Workplace Ordinance (ArbStättV), which formulates requirements for safety lighting in §3 and §4. In addition, the Technical Rules for Workplaces (ASR A3.4/7) specify the requirements for safety and escape sign lighting.

DIN EN 1838 and DIN VDE 0108-100 are also of particular importance. DIN EN 1838 specifies the minimum illuminance levels that must be maintained in escape and rescue routes and in certain areas such as anti-panic zones. DIN VDE 0108-100 regulates the electrical safety requirements for lighting systems.

Depending on the sector and type of building, additional regulations may apply, for example in hospitals, places of assembly or industrial facilities. Companies should therefore carry out an individual review of the requirements and seek advice from experts if necessary.

Necessity and purpose: why emergency lighting is essential

The main task of safety lighting is to provide safe orientation in the event of a power failure or other emergency. There are numerous potential sources of danger in modern buildings - from electrical systems and machinery to large crowds in assembly rooms. Without functioning emergency lighting, panic, injuries or even fatal accidents could occur in an emergency.

Reliable emergency lighting is particularly essential in buildings with a high number of people, such as office complexes, shopping centers or production facilities. It ensures that emergency exits are clearly visible and escape routes remain safe to use. It also makes it easier for emergency services to find their way around the building, allowing rescue operations to be carried out more quickly and in a more targeted manner.

Types of emergency lighting: escape route, anti-panic and replacement lighting

Safety lighting can be divided into different categories, each of which fulfills specific functions. Escape route lighting ensures that escape routes and emergency exits remain clearly recognizable even in the dark or when smoke is developing. It consists of illuminated or backlit pictograms and floor markings that indicate the direction to the nearest exit.

Anti-panic lighting is intended for large open areas where there are many people. Its aim is to minimize panic reactions by ensuring basic visibility. This allows people to orient themselves better and recognize sources of danger more easily.

Another important category is backup lighting, which maintains operation in safety-critical areas in the event of a power failure. This form of lighting is used in hospitals, control rooms or laboratories, for example, where certain activities must continue even in the event of a power failure.

Planning and installation: important criteria for standard-compliant implementation

The planning of standard-compliant emergency lighting requires a detailed analysis of the building and its use. First of all, the relevant escape and rescue routes must be defined. These should be designed in such a way that they are as short as possible and lead directly to the nearest emergency exit. Additional measures are required in areas with a high density of people or special sources of danger.

Another crucial point is the correct positioning of the luminaires. Escape route lighting must be positioned so that it is clearly visible from any position in the room. They must also be bright enough to provide orientation even in the event of smoke or poor visibility.

The power supply for the emergency lighting must function independently of the normal power supply. In practice, either central battery systems or decentralized individual battery systems are used for this purpose. Both variants have advantages and disadvantages that need to be weighed up depending on the building structure and type of use.

Maintenance and testing: how companies ensure functionality

Emergency lighting is only effective if it works reliably in an emergency. Regular inspections and maintenance measures are therefore essential. DIN VDE 0108-100 stipulates that a monthly functional test and an annual overall test must be carried out.

The monthly test includes a short test phase in which the emergency lighting is activated and its basic function is checked. As part of the annual test, the battery capacity, lighting intensity and any damage are also checked.

Modern systems have automatic self-test functions that reduce maintenance work. Nevertheless, companies should not neglect regular manual checks. In addition, all inspections and maintenance must be documented so that in the event of an official inspection or an accident, it can be proven that the safety lighting has been properly maintained.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

In practice, there are some common mistakes that companies make with safety lighting. One of the biggest mistakes is inadequate planning. Often too few or incorrectly positioned luminaires are installed, so that escape routes are not sufficiently illuminated.

Another common mistake is neglecting maintenance. Without regular inspections, the lighting may not work in an emergency. Inadequate documentation can also be problematic, as companies have to prove that they have fulfilled their obligations.

In addition, it is not uncommon for emergency luminaires to be covered up or rendered unusable by subsequent modifications. Companies should therefore ensure that structural alterations do not impair the functionality of the emergency lighting.

The future of emergency lighting: trends and technological developments

Safety lighting is constantly evolving, particularly through the use of modern technologies. LED luminaires have now established themselves as the standard, as they offer greater energy efficiency and a longer service life than conventional light sources. They also enable more precise control of light intensity and better visibility of pictograms.

Another important trend is the integration of emergency lighting into intelligent building management systems. Networked solutions allow lighting to be monitored and controlled in real time. This allows maintenance intervals to be optimized and potential failures to be detected at an early stage.

Adaptive lighting systems could also play a greater role in the future. These automatically adapt to changes in ambient conditions, such as smoke development or movement patterns of people. This could further improve safety in buildings.

Emergency lighting is indispensable

Safety lighting is an indispensable part of an effective safety concept in companies. It ensures that people can get out of a building safely and quickly in an emergency. Companies must comply with numerous legal requirements and standards in order to ensure that they are implemented in accordance with standards.

From planning to installation and maintenance, safety lighting requires a careful approach. Errors in planning or neglecting maintenance can have serious consequences. However, the use of modern technologies and intelligent systems can further increase efficiency and safety. Anyone who knows and implements the legal requirements not only ensures compliance with regulations, but also actively contributes to the safety of people in their company.