Emergency lighting is one of the most effective ways to assist people in safely exiting a building following a power loss. Having adequate lighting and directions to allow people to see clearly and locate the nearest exit is critical. Strategically installing battery backup units in your area for property managers and business owners provides protection and peace of mind.

LED emergency and battery backup lights are often used when your main power supply is cut off, and all normal lighting fails. When power is lost in a system with a battery backup, the illumination will quickly convert to an emergency mode. The brightness is typically 10% to 20% of normal, which helps lengthen the time the light can operate from the battery.

Keep reading further to learn more about emergency battery backup lights for your home.

What is an LED Emergency Battery Backup Fixture?

Egress lighting is another term for emergency lighting. When a building loses electricity, an emergency light illuminates important safety zones like hallways and stairwells. LED emergency lights use energy-saving, ultra-bright light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This setup enables low-voltage operation without using a large sealed lead acid battery.

These lights typically have at least a 90-minute lighting allowance following a power outage. This amount of time is enough to allow occupants to leave and emergency personnel to enter the property. During this time, your business remains illuminated, emergency exits are visible, and parking lots are visible to clients and employees.

Where Should You Put an Emergency Fixture?

Many regulatory authorities and codes govern emergency lighting and exit sign regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), among others, are among these authorities.

Above and beyond these standards, the lights must adhere to the requirements of your local county and state authority. Most safety agencies require emergency lights to be installed in the most important areas of a property. There should be enough lights to provide proper visibility and easy exiting.

Emergency lighting systems must be installed to give an initial illumination that is bright and measured at floor level along the path of egress. Commercial properties will need to pass inspections by a safety inspector to ensure it meets proper regulations.  LED Emergency Lights should be at these locations leading to exits:

• Corridors
• Stairways
• Doorways
• Aisles
• Passageways
  
  What are the Types of Battery Backup Emergency Lighting Fixtures?
  
  There are two types of Emergency lighting signs accepted by all the safety authorities:
  
   

• Fluorescent Lights- Fluorescent bulbs come in various sizes, with the more cheap ones requiring larger batteries and, as a result, more bulky fixtures. LED has mainly replaced them due to the reduced energy requirements and longer-lasting light fixture styles.
• LED Lights- These bulbs provide the best light output in emergencies. These lights use very little electricity, and the emergency battery can be reduced to make the fixture more compact. Because LEDs are more efficient than fluorescent lamps, they will use less energy even under normal conditions, lowering your energy expenditure.
  
  Most emergency lights are designed only to turn on when there is no electricity. When the fixture senses a loss of power, it will activate the lights. These are usually in the form of a battery pack with two little lights on either side. Because of their look, these lights are sometimes referred to as "bug-eye" lights.
  
  A damp site is an external or interior space that is regularly or infrequently exposed to moisture or humidity condensation near electrical equipment. A wet location is where water or other liquids could drip, splash, or otherwise come into touch with electrical equipment. If you are in one of these environments, you should install fixtures rated for these specifications.
  
  How Often Should You Test the Emergency Lighting Fixtures?
  
  According to fire code regulations, emergency lights must be checked and maintained regularly to ensure that they last and work in the event of an emergency. Look for a small "Push to Test" button on non-self-testing units that cuts power to the unit and manually puts it into emergency mode.
  
  Push and hold this button for thirty seconds to test the lights and battery for your necessary monthly test. When you press the test button, the light or sign flashes and remains bright for the entire thirty seconds, your unit has passed the test. You'll need to contact an electrician to troubleshoot if the lights fade or don't turn on.
  
  The following are the requirements for emergency light testing:

•  Minimum 30 seconds every month
•  90 minutes a year
• The test logs should be documented
  
   
  
  While a high-quality emergency light will likely have no problems, you must test the devices. When you test them regularly, you can have peace of mind knowing they will turn on when you need them most. Every responsible business or property owner should have a set schedule for their testing.
  
  Benefits of an LED Battery Backup Emergency Lights
  
  LED emergency devices that use LED modules to replace standard fluorescent bulbs are becoming increasingly popular. LEDs, in general, provide many performance and cost advantages that promote their broad usage in various emergency lighting applications. Wherever main lighting systems are improved or replaced with LED technology, secondary emergency lighting installations are almost certain to follow suit.
  
  The benefits of LED technology are becoming increasingly attractive. LED bulbs are particularly suited to emergency systems because of their long life and durability, which reduces service intervals and maintenance costs. LEDs are more environmentally friendly because they do not contain lead or mercury. They are safe, making them the preferred illumination solution in mining, oil exploration, and potentially hazardous environments.
  
  Another advantage of LEDs, especially in large-scale lighting applications, is the variety of form factors available and the ability to combine emergency and architectural illumination. Luminaires can be made to almost any size or shape and readily incorporated into existing structures and materials. Other modules can be flush-mounted on floors and walls or integrated into existing structural elements, and lighting strips are especially suitable for stairwells and halls.