Emergency Lighting Design Guide – Light Levels

Part 1A – Emergency Lighting Light Levels

Escape Routes (UP to 2 METRES WIDE)

A fire escape route is a path that leads to a point of safety, such as a fire exit or protected stairwell in the event of an emergency or mains failure.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line and a central band consisting of not less than half the full width to 50% of that value (0.5 Lux)
Duration	60 minutes if evacuated immediately. 180 minutes otherwise. (CIBSE LG12 states – as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Substantially wider escape routes to be treated as several 2 metre strips or be treated as an open area

Anti Panic/Open Areas

Areas of undefined escape routes in halls or premises larger than 60m2 floor area or smaller areas if there is additional hazards such as use by a large number of people.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	BS5266 states minimum illumination level should be 0.5 Lux The ratio of maximum to minimum illuminance (Diversity Ratio) shall be less 40:1 To exclude 0.5 metres from its perimeter.
Duration	60 minutes if evacuated immediately. 180 minutes otherwise. (CIBSE LG12 states – as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Are there any underground/window-less areas without any natural light? Are the levels of occupancy high? Does an escape route pass through the space? Is there equipment that needs to be isolated prior to evacuation?

Stairs

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line and each stair tread receives the light required
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level

Moving stairways and walkways

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line and a central band consisting of not less than half the full width to 50% of that value (0.5 lux)
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration (CIBSE LG12 states as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level

Junctions/Intersections

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line and a central band consisting of not less than half the full width to 50% of that value (0.5 Lux)
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration (CIBSE LG12 states as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Are there any underground/window-less areas without any natural light? Are the levels of occupancy high? Does an escape route pass through the space? Is there equipment that needs to be isolated prior to evacuation?

Final Exits

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line of the defined path as this forms part of the escape route
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Are the final exit push bars illuminated correctly to 5 Lux?

Fire Assembly Points

A “place of safety” is usually designated as the Fire Assembly Point and is a key piece to any emergency plan. Fire Assembly Points are temporary gathering areas where it can be immediately determined if everyone is out of the building.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line of the defined path as this forms part of the escape route.
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration (CIBSE LG12 states as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Are you relying on borrowed external lighting from another source or supplier?

Reception Areas

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux
Duration	Full rated of system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Visible working plane of the equipment/task i.e.desk

First Aid Rooms

A first aid room or medical room, is a room in which someone who is injured or taken ill on the premises can be taken for first aid and to await the arrival of professional emergency medical service.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux
Duration	Minimum of 30 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Horizontal on working plane

Treatment Rooms

A room used for administering various medical treatments, and which contains any special equipment, etc.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 50 lux
Duration	Minimum of 30 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 0.5 seconds
Reference Plane	Horizontal on working plane

Kitchens

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux
Duration	Minimum 30 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 0.5 seconds
Reference Plane	horizontal on working plane, switches and cut-outs readily visible

Refuges

They are designed for use in an emergency when the evacuation of a building is required, such as during a fire. Any person requiring assistance for the evacuation will await help in the designated refuge areas.

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux
Duration	Full rated off system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level

Plant Rooms

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux
Duration	Full rated of system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Visible working plane of the high risk equipment

Fire Control Equipment

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux.
Duration	Full rated of system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Visible working plane of the equipment/task i.e. desk
Question	Are the panels illuminated correctly to 5 Lux? Are the call points illuminated correctly to 5 Lux? Are the extinguishers illuminated correctly to 5 Lux?

Security Devices

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux
Duration	Full rated of system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Horizontal on plane of panic bar/pad; vertical at vertically mounted/wall mounted security devices
Question	Are the final exit push bars illuminated correctly to 5 Lux?

Toilet Facilities

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 0.5 lux
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level
Question	Are the toilet facilities bigger than 8m2? Are you relying on borrowed lighting? Are the toilets use for disabled use?

Lift Cars/Lobby

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 0.5 lux
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 0.5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor level

Swimming Pools

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux
Duration	Full rated of system (180 minutes).
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 0.5 seconds
Reference Plane	Horizontal on floor and treads of diving areas

Covered Car Parks

	BS5266 and CIBSE LG12
Light level	Minimum illumination level should be 0.5 lux
Duration	Minimum of 60 minutes battery duration (CIBSE LG12 states as required for installation)
Response Time	Response time should be no more than 5 seconds
Reference Plane	Finished floor plane