目次
Emergency lighting and exit signs play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals within various facilities. These vital safety measures serve as guiding lights during critical situations, providing essential illumination and clear evacuation paths. Understanding the requirements and regulations concerning emergency lighting and exit signs is vital for maintaining a safe environment. Compliance with national and international standards, such as those established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is crucial for protecting occupants.
In this article, we will discuss the comprehensive field of emergency lighting and exit sign requirements, highlighting key aspects to facilitate informed decision-making.
1.Understanding Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs
Emergency lighting and exit signs are essential components of safety systems designed to protect individuals within various facilities. The primary purpose of these measures is to provide illumination and clear guidance during critical situations, ensuring safe evacuation.
Types of Emergency Lighting
Backup Lighting
Backup lighting serves as an alternative light source during power outages. It is strategically applied in areas where insufficient lighting may pose safety risks, allowing occupants to navigate and perform necessary tasks until power is restored.
Emergency Escape Lighting
Emergency escape lighting is specifically used to illuminate escape routes, including stairwells, corridors, and exits. It ensures clear visibility and helps individuals safely navigate to designated emergency exits, facilitating efficient evacuation during emergencies.
High-Risk Task Area Lighting
High-risk task area lighting focuses on providing targeted illumination in areas where critical activities are performed. This type of emergency lighting is customized for specific locations, such as medical operating rooms or manufacturing sites, to ensure sufficient visibility for safe operations.
Types of Exit Signs
Photoluminescent Exit Signs
Photoluminescent exit signs absorb and store ambient light, making them clearly visible in low-light conditions. These signs do not rely on electricity and provide energy-efficient and reliable visibility during emergencies.
Electric Exit Signs
Electric exit signs are connected to a power source, typically using LED lights for illumination. They offer consistent visibility and reliability, especially in well-lit areas.
2.Requirements and Standards for Exit Signs and Emergency Lighting
For emergency lighting systems, meeting necessary requirements and adhering to established standards is essential. Several organizations and regulatory bodies provide guidelines to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these systems.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA does not have specific regulations on emergency lighting, but OSHA 1910.37 outlines requirements for lighting and marking exit routes. According to the standard, lighting and marking must be adequate and appropriate. The standard requires that all exit routes must be sufficiently illuminated so that employees with normal vision can see along the route. Here are additional requirements:
- Each exit must be clearly visible and marked with an “Exit” sign.
- No decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of exit route doors are allowed.
- If the direction to the exit or exit discharge is not immediately apparent, signs must be posted along the exit access indicating the direction to the nearest exit and exit discharge. Additionally, the line of sight to exit signs must always be clear.
- Every door or passage along an exit route that could be mistaken for an exit must be marked with a “Not an Exit” sign or identified by a sign indicating its actual use.
- Each exit sign must have a surface luminance value of at least 5 foot-candles (54 lux), be illuminated by a reliable light source, and be of a distinctive color. Self-luminous or electroluminescent signs with a minimum luminance value of 0.06 foot-Lamberts (0.21 cd/m²) are allowed.
- Each exit sign must have the word “Exit” in legible letters not less than 6 inches (15.2 cm) high, with the principal stroke of the letters in the word “Exit” not less than three-quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) wide.
- Under 1910.35, OSHA recognizes NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and the International Fire Code from the International Code Council as compliant with its requirements.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Exit Signs
- NFPA 101 Life Safety Code outlines acceptable forms of illumination, placement, and visibility requirements for exit signs.
- Section 7.10.1.2 specifies that all exit signs must be illuminated by a reliable light source and must be clearly visible in both normal and emergency exit lighting modes. The luminance of externally illuminated signs must not be less than 5 foot-candles (54 lux), with a contrast ratio of not less than five-tenths. Internally illuminated signs must comply with ANSI/Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 924, the Standard for Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment.
- The code requires that any new exit signs must be placed at any point in an exit access where the distance to the nearest sign exceeds the rated viewing distance of the sign or 100 feet, whichever is less. Additionally, exit signs with directional indicators must be placed at every location where the direction of travel to the nearest exit is not immediately apparent.
- The Life Safety Code mandates that signs must be located in a clearly visible position, with size, color, and design that is distinctive and must contrast with the background where the sign is placed. The code also prohibits the use of decorations, furnishings, or equipment that impair the visibility of the signs. No bright signs (used for non-exit purposes), displays, or objects that might distract from exit signs should be placed in or near the line of sight of required exit signs.
Emergency Lighting
- Emergency lighting requirements are found in Section 7.9 of the Life Safety Code. Here are some key points:
- Emergency lighting must be provided for at least 1.5 hours when normal lighting fails (when required).
- The minimum illumination at any point must not be less than 0.1 foot-candles (1.1 lux), and the maximum illumination at any point must not exceed 40 times the minimum illumination at any point to prevent overly bright or dark spots (Section 7.9.2.1.3).
- The emergency lighting system must be set up to automatically provide illumination when normal lighting is interrupted.
The Joint Commission (JCAHO)
The JCAHO establishes specific requirements for healthcare facilities to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. Its standards include provisions for emergency lighting, exit signs, backup power systems, and testing protocols to ensure the continuous operation of emergency lighting in critical areas.
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
The AHJ refers to the local authorities responsible for enforcing building codes and regulations. They play a crucial role in overseeing the compliance with emergency lighting requirements within their specific jurisdiction. The AHJ may adopt and enforce relevant codes, such as the International Building Code (IBC) or the International Fire Code (IFC), which contain provisions related to emergency lighting and exit signs.
3.Emergency Lighting Testing Requirements
Regular testing of emergency lighting systems is essential to ensure their proper functioning in emergencies. Section 7.9.3 of the Life Safety Code outlines the requirements for regular testing of emergency lights. The NFPA recognizes three types of emergency lights: traditional, self-testing/self-diagnostic, and computer-based self-testing and self-diagnostic.
Testing requirements are as follows:
- A monthly activation test, where the lights remain on for at least 30 seconds.
- An annual test, where the lights are turned on for 1.5 hours to simulate a prolonged emergency event.
- Monthly and annual test records will be subject to AHJ inspection.
Conclusion
In summary, adhering to emergency lighting and exit sign standards is crucial for ensuring safety during emergencies. Regular testing, proper installation, and maintenance are key to creating a secure environment and enabling safe evacuations. Investing in these safety measures is an investment in protecting lives.
よくある質問
The minimum brightness required for emergency lighting varies depending on regulatory standards and the specific area being illuminated. It is usually expressed in lux or foot-candles, ranging from 1 lux to 10 lux or higher, depending on occupancy type and safety requirements.
Yes, exit signs typically require specific colors. The background color is usually green or red, with contrasting text colors such as white or black. These color requirements enhance visibility and ensure clear identification of exit signs during emergencies.
Emergency lighting systems should be tested regularly to ensure proper operation. Common testing frequencies range from monthly functional tests to annual full-duration tests, depending on regulatory requirements and local jurisdiction.
It is recommended to hire a professional electrician to install emergency lighting systems. They have the necessary knowledge and expertise to handle electrical connections, wiring, and compliance with regulations, ensuring the system’s safety and effectiveness.
Yes, industrial facilities often have specific emergency lighting requirements. These may include higher illumination levels, additional backup power sources, specialized lighting techniques for hazardous areas, and compliance with industry-specific regulations, such as those established by OSHA.
