Importance of Emergency and Exit Lighting

Emergency and exit lighting is crucial in ensuring the safety of occupants during emergencies, especially fires or power outages. Here are some key points on the importance of emergency and exit lighting in Victoria, Australia:

1. Safe Evacuation: During emergencies like fires or other events that lead to power failures, emergency and exit lighting provide illumination to guide people safely towards exits. This reduces panic and ensures orderly evacuation.
2. Compliance: In Victoria, as in many other places, regulations (like Australian Standard AS 2293) mandate the installation and maintenance of emergency and exit lighting in commercial and public buildings. Compliance with these standards is necessary to meet legal obligations and ensure occupant safety.
3. Visibility: Emergency lights are designed to be easily visible even in adverse conditions (smoke, darkness, etc.), aiding in orientation and navigation to the nearest exits.
4. Occupant Safety: Clear, well-maintained emergency and exit lighting systems contribute significantly to reducing injuries and fatalities during emergencies by facilitating swift evacuation and minimising confusion.
5. Maintenance Requirements: Regular testing and maintenance of emergency lighting systems are required to ensure they function correctly when needed. This includes checking battery life, bulb functionality, and overall system integrity.
6. Legal Liability: Property owners and managers may face legal liabilities if emergency and exit lighting systems are not properly maintained, or if they fail during an emergency.

In summary, emergency and exit lighting systems are essential components of building safety infrastructure in Australia, designed to ensure rapid and safe evacuation during emergencies while meeting legal compliance standards.

How is an emergency and exit light test conducted?

In Victoria, the testing of emergency and exit lights is typically conducted in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2293, which covers the design, installation, maintenance, and operation of emergency evacuation lighting. Here’s how a typical test is conducted:

1. Visual Inspection

• Inspect all emergency and exit lights for any visible damage, dirt or obstructions.
• Ensure all lights are clearly visible and functional.

2. Duration Test

• Simulate a power failure by switching off the main power supply (switchboard) to the lights or using a test switch.
• The lights must remain illuminated for 90 minutes.
• If the lights go out before 90 minutes, they are considered to have failed the test.

3. Battery Condition Test

• During the test, the battery’s capacity to sustain the light for the required duration is evaluated.
• If batteries do not maintain the required charge, they will need to be replaced.

4. Functionality Test

• After the test, restore the power to the system and ensure the emergency lights revert to their normal state and start charging again.
• Verify that all control equipment (e.g. control panels, indicators) are operating correctly.

5. Record Keeping

• Log the details of the test in a maintenance record/logbook as required. This includes:
  • The date and time of the test
  • The duration of the test
  • Any faults found
  • Any repairs required and quoted

Testing is required every six months in accordance with AS 2293.

Discuss with your selected essential services provider should you have any queries or wish to understand how emergency and exit lighting tests are performed at your properties.