THE IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY LIGHTING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Emergency lighting is a very important feature in any commercial building. In fact, there are many times when it can act as a lifesaver. If the power goes down for any reason and you need to evacuate quickly and in an orderly fashion, being able to see clearly is critical to getting everyone out safely. Emergency lighting in Auckland operates during a power outage to make sure this is possible.
If a fire breaks out in your building, for example, your employers or customers may panic and your well-rehearsed evacuation procedures may be forgotten in the melee. If the building is suddenly plunged into darkness, this can compound the issue and increase the risk of people coming to harm.
Emergency lighting can ensure everyone can see a clear path out of the building. As such, it's critical that your building has a well-planned and regularly maintained emergency lighting system. Failure to have this in place can mean your company doesn't comply with health and safety regulations and may lead to loss of life in the wrong circumstances.
Emergency lighting is powered in two ways:
CENTRAL BATTERY
A central battery system is easy to maintain because maintenance workers only need access to one site. The battery can last anywhere between 5 - 25 years, depending on what choices you make, and can be less susceptible to temperature changes.
SELF-CONTAINED
If you opt for a self-contained battery system, then you will find it is probably cheaper than a central battery system. Each light has its own battery and operates independently, so you haven't got to worry about a central battery being faulty and your system not working.
REASONS TO HAVE EMERGENCY LIGHTING IN YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING
There are many reasons why emergency lighting in Auckland is crucial in commercial buildings. Here are a few examples.
Helps Emergency Services
It is highly unlikely that anyone from emergency services knows the layout of your building. As such, the emergency workers who arrive at the scene will face an added hindrance if they are plunged into darkness when they enter through the doors.
Emergency lighting in Auckland will show them safe routes, enable them to read any signs, and allow them to see any dangers like fallen debris, abandoned work equipment, or wires. They will be able to act quicker and move faster through the building, meaning they have more chance of saving lives and remaining safe themselves.
Can Reduce Damage
In the case of a fire or similar event, emergency workers can reach the site quickly and potentially reduce the amount of damage it will do to your building, equipment and stock.
Works Instantly
If you have emergency lighting in Auckland, the lights are powered constantly and therefore are always on. If the normal lighting does suddenly turn off, emergency lighting is there instantly as a backup, meaning there is no wait for the lighting to return.
Reduces Initial Panic
The fire alarm going off can be disconcerting, even if the lights are on. People may look at each other, trying to work out if it's just a drill or the real thing. They may have forgotten the fire drill and evacuation procedures and look to others for guidance. So, even in an orderly evacuation, it can be a confusing and awkward process.
If people are suddenly plunged into darkness then the situation becomes far more chaotic and frightening. People cannot easily look to each other for guidance and also can't clearly see escape routes. They may start walking into each other or equipment, or fall over and injure themselves. They may start panicking that they are going to be left behind or trapped in the building. All of this adds to the rising panic of the crowd and slows the overall speed of evacuation. If the fire is visible or the rooms and corridors start filling with smoke, then panic will rise further because now it is definitely not a drill - there is confirmed danger to life. People may begin blindly running for exits in panic or heading in the wrong direction due to confusion. Bottlenecks and stampedes can occur, which in themselves can be deadly.
Evacuations need to be quick, well-managed and efficient. If there is emergency lighting, people can clearly see escape routes and each other, allowing them to file out in an orderly fashion.
Makes Your Business Compliant
There are health and safety rules regarding emergency lighting and many commercial properties have to have it in order to be considered compliant. As such, check carefully to see whether you have all the emergency lighting that is legally required and that it meets the standards that are stipulated.
If you are keen to install emergency lighting in Auckland, please get in touch. We can help you with all your emergency lighting needs.