In order to ensure correct visibility, allowing safe evacuation, it is recommended to place emergency lighting luminaires at least 2m above floor level.
For appropriate luminance, emergency luminaires should be situated close to each exit door and where necessary to highlight potential danger or safety equipment. Emergency escape luminaires should be placed as shown below:
If first aid points or firefighting equipment and fire alarm call points are not situated on the escape route or within the open area, they should be illuminated so that the illuminance level of at least 5 lx is ensured on the floor close to these points.
NOTE: According to the applicable standard, ‘close to’ means within at a distance of 2m measured horizontally.
Emergency lighting should also be provided in other hazardous areas and the areas that should be accessible if primary lighting fails.
Such areas include the following:
- lift cars,
- escalators and moving walkways,
- toilets, lobbies, changing rooms, cloakrooms and locker rooms larger than 8 m2 and rooms intended for use by the disabled,
- technical rooms where escape route lighting should meet the requirements for the open area lighting or high risk task areas, as applicable,
- covered car parks,
- hospitals – the illuminance of escape route lighting at ICUs and operating theatres should be at least as required for primary lighting in those areas (unless stand-by lighting is available).