The Importance of LED Emergency Lights in Fire Events

When the power goes out, LED emergency lights illuminate routes clearly, helping individuals move towards safety without confusion.

Unlike fluorescent alternatives, LEDs don’t delay and give smooth light. This is necessary during a building exit when uninterrupted lighting is important.

They also maintain light consistency throughout their life, avoiding dim patches in key areas such as hallways.

Why Replacing Legacy Emergency Lights with LEDs Makes Sense

Older systems using halogen bulbs often need frequent replacements and consume more electricity overall.

LED units can run for long durations with steady performance, cutting downtime and improving long-term planning.

Even during battery charging, their low consumption helps keep costs manageable.

Thanks to their non-fragile design, LED lights resist damage with vibrations, ambient changes, and ongoing testing.

Which LED Emergency Fitting is Right for the Job?

• Maintained units: Stay lit during both normal operation and outages. Suitable for theatres where constant lighting is required.


• Non-maintained units: Only illuminate during a power cut. Often seen in back rooms where lighting is not always needed.


• Exit signage: LED signs with uniform lighting that stay visible in low-light conditions, directing people quickly to exits.


• Bulkheads: These are tough fittings for external stairs, designed to survive heavy use.

Meeting Safety Standards with Proper Setup

To ensure legal compliance, LED emergency lights must be installed and tested according to BS 5266.

This includes placing them near escape routes, and ensuring they cover essential areas such as switchboards.

Newer models often come with automatic self-checking that track performance, helping to ease maintenance scheduling.

Why LED Emergency Lights Are a Smart Choice

Reliable performance supports safe navigation during power loss, while resilience brings value to building owners.

LED systems can be retrofitted into existing safety setups with straightforward installation and support low carbon operations through energy efficiency.

FAQs

How long do LEDs for emergency use typically operate?

Most models provide reliable output for several years before battery or circuit replacement is required.

Do they need professional installation?

Yes, a licensed contractor should fit them in line with BS 5266 to ensure safety and compliance.

Are older systems compatible with LED units?

Yes, many LED fittings are compatible with standard fire systems, but check specifications first.

Is it worth choosing a self-test version?

Definitely, as it simplifies compliance, especially useful in low-maintenance environments.

What brightness level should escape routes have?

Lighting must meet regulatory lighting levels, and reputable LEDs ensure compliant illumination.