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 |
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|---|---|
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 |
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|---|---|
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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. |
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Duration |
60 minutes if evacuated immediately. 180 minutes otherwise. (CIBSE LG12 states – as required for installation) |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line and each stair tread receives the light required |
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Duration |
Minimum of 60 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
Moving stairways and walkways
BS5266 and CIBSE LG12 |
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|---|---|
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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 |
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|---|---|
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 1 lux along centre-line of the defined path as this forms part of the escape route |
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Duration |
Minimum of 60 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux |
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Duration |
Full rated of system (180 minutes). |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux |
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Duration |
Minimum of 30 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 50 lux |
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Duration |
Minimum of 30 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 0.5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Horizontal on working plane |
Kitchens
BS5266 and CIBSE LG12 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux |
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Duration |
Minimum 30 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 0.5 seconds |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux |
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Duration |
Full rated off system (180 minutes). |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
Plant Rooms
BS5266 and CIBSE LG12 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux |
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Duration |
Full rated of system (180 minutes). |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Visible working plane of the high risk equipment |
Fire Control Equipment
BS5266 and CIBSE LG12 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 15 lux. |
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Duration |
Full rated of system (180 minutes). |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Visible working plane of the equipment/task i.e. desk |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux |
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Duration |
Full rated of system (180 minutes). |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 0.5 lux |
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Duration |
Minimum of 60 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 0.5 lux |
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Duration |
Minimum of 60 minutes battery
Duration |
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Response Time |
Response Time should be no more than 0.5 seconds |
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Reference Plane |
Finished floor level |
Swimming Pools
BS5266 and CIBSE LG12 |
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|---|---|
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Light level |
Minimum illumination level should be 5 lux |
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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 |
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|---|---|
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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 |