Evakuointivalojen

Evakuointivalojen, or evacuation lights, are a subset of emergency lighting designed to illuminate escape routes during power outages to enable safe egress. They support visibility along corridors, stairs, and exits and often include illuminated exit signs. Systems are typically powered from the building’s electrical supply with an integral battery backup or from a central battery system, allowing operation when normal power fails.

Most evacuation lighting uses LEDs for reliability and energy efficiency. Components commonly include escape-route luminaires, exit-sign luminaires, battery packs, and, in some installations, control gear for testing and monitoring. Lighting levels and sign placement are planned to align with local safety requirements, ensuring exits and routes remain clearly visible during an emergency.

Regulatory context varies by country. In Europe, standards often cited include EN 1838 (lighting of indoor escape routes) and EN 50172 (emergency lighting performance), with national codes specifying installation details, required duration, and testing. Typical requirements mandate illumination of escape routes for a minimum duration when power fails, commonly around 30 minutes or longer, with higher durations for critical areas such as hospitals, theatres, or high-occupancy buildings.

Installation and maintenance: luminaires should be positioned to provide adequate coverage of all escape routes, remain accessible for testing, and be protected from damage. Regular testing and upkeep are required, including functional tests and longer-duration tests, with proper documentation of results.

Technology trends include broader use of LED technology, central battery systems, self-testing capabilities, and remote monitoring, which improve reliability and simplify compliance with safety standards.