BS EN 1838:2013 Lighting applications. Emergency lighting

BS EN 1838:2013 - Lighting applications. Emergency lighting

BS EN 1838 is an European Standard that specifies the luminous requirements for emergency escape lighting and standby lighting systems installed in premises or locations where such systems are required. It is principally applicable to locations where the public or workers have access.

The overall objective of emergency escape lighting is to enable safe exit from a location in the event of failure of the normal supply.

The objective of each form within this category is as follows:

• The objective of escape route lighting is to assist the safe exit from a location for occupants by providing appropriate visual conditions and direction finding on escape routes and in special locations, and to ensure that fire fighting and safety equipment can be readily located and used.
• The objective of emergency lighting of escape route safety signs is to provide appropriate visual conditions and direction finding to assist escape routes to be readily located and used.
• The objective of open area (anti-panic) lighting is to reduce the likelihood of panic and to enable safe movement of occupants towards escape routes by providing appropriate visual conditions and direction finding. The flow of light for escape routes or open areas should be downward to the working plane but illumination should also be provided to any obstruction up to 2 m height above that plane.
• The objective of high risk task area lighting is to contribute to the safety of people involved in a potentially dangerous process or situation and to assist proper shut down procedures to be carried out or the safety of other occupants of the location.

There are techniques that may be used as a supplement and when applied to escape routes in addition to conventional emergency lighting luminaires can enhance their effectiveness in an emergency. These techniques are not included in this standard.

Vision varies from person to person, both by the amount of light required to perceive an object clearly and in the time taken to adapt to changes in the illuminance. In general, older people need more light and take a longer time to adapt to low illuminance on a hazard or escape route.

Much anxiety and confusion can be alleviated by strategically placed signs indicating the way out of a location. It is very important that exits are clearly signposted and are visible, whenever the location is occupied.