Keep the lights on: 4 emergency lighting tips to support a safer workplace
Key Takeaways:
- Emergency and exit lighting can help guide employees and visitors to safety during power outages and emergencies.
- Regular inspections can help identify damaged fixtures, loose equipment and other issues before they become safety concerns.
- Monthly and annual testing can help verify your emergency lighting systems are functioning properly when needed.
- Maintaining detailed inspection and maintenance records can help support compliance efforts and simplify audits.
- Partnering with a trusted fire protection provider can help reduce the burden of managing inspections, testing and documentation.
When an emergency strikes, every second counts. Whether it’s a fire, a severe weather event or a power outage, properly functioning emergency and exit lighting can help employees and visitors navigate to safety.
Yet emergency and exit lighting can be a building safety system that can be easy to overlook until it’s needed the most.
The importance of emergency and exit lighting
Emergencies don’t wait for a convenient time. If normal lighting fails during an evacuation, employees and visitors may be left trying to find their way through unfamiliar or hazardous conditions.
Exit and emergency lights are designed to provide vital illumination during power outages so your employees and customers can find safe exits. They help identify escape routes and support safer evacuations during critical situations.
By taking a proactive approach to inspection, testing and documentation, businesses can help ensure their emergency and exit lighting are properly functioning when the unexcepted happens.
4 emergency and exit lighting tips
Follow these four tips to help keep your business prepared and your systems functioning properly.
1. Check for physical damage and securely mounted lights
Start with a visual inspection of your emergency and exit lighting systems. Look for cracked or damaged fixtures, broken lenses or bulbs, signs of wear or deterioration and loosely or improperly mounted equipment. A quick inspection can help identify issues before they impact performance during an emergency.
2. Understand local requirements
Check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction on the various inspections required by law. Staying informed can help support compliance efforts and help reduce the risk of missed requirements.
3. Perform monthly and annual tests
Routine testing is essential to verify emergency lighting systems will operate when needed. Depending on applicable requirements, you may need to perform monthly or annual tests to confirm lights are functioning properly. Regular testing can help uncover potential issues before they become safety concerns.
4. Keep written records of inspections and maintenance
Documentation is often just as important as inspections themselves. Keeping accurate, written records of routine inspections, testing activities and repairs and maintenance can help demonstrate compliance. It can also simplify audits and provide valuable visibility into the condition of your emergency lighting systems over time.
Simplify emergency and exit lighting management
For many facility managers and safety professionals, keeping up with inspections, testing, maintenance and documentation can feel like one more task added to an already busy schedule.
Partnering with a knowledgeable fire protection service provider like Cintas can manage inspections, provide detailed documentation and compliance support with consistent service so your systems are properly maintained.
By working with a trusted resource, you get greater peace of mind that your business is prepared and your systems will function properly without adding extra tasks to your workload.
Because when the lights go out, preparation makes all the difference.
Be prepared for the unexpected
Watch this video to learn how Cintas Fire Protection can help your facility stay prepared for emergencies.
FAQs:
Why does my business need emergency and exit lighting?
Emergency and exit lighting help illuminate pathways and exits during power outages or emergencies, helping employees and visitors evacuate more safely.
How often should emergency lighting be inspected and tested?
Requirements vary by location and facility type. Check with your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to understand the inspections and testing required for your business.
What records should businesses keep for emergency lighting systems?
Businesses should maintain written documentation of inspections, testing activities, repairs and maintenance to help demonstrate compliance and track system performance over time.