Emergency Lighting Introduction

Introduction
Emergency evacuation lighting is designed to automatically provide adequate lighting levels and signage for the safe evacuation of humans from buildings in the event of electricity supply failure to the normal lighting of the building

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Basic terminology concepts & technology Exit Signs Emergency Lighting Power Packs & Accessories

Basic terminology, concepts & technology

Single Point Units

The term for an emergency light fitting (unit) that stands alone (at a single point) and includes its own rechargeable battery and charger equipment. When normal mains power fails, it automatically energises its emergency lamp until the power is restored or the battery discharges

Types of Single Point Units (SPU)

Maintained contains one lamp that is used for dual purpose of normal (AC mains) lighting and for emergency lighting. The light output is maintained even when the power has failed.

Types of Single Point Units (SPU)

Non-Maintained uses one lamp that does not normally light the surrounding area but only uses that lamp for emergency purposes. The light output is on only when the power fails.

Types of Single Point Units (SPU)

Combined Maintained are a two lamp combination of normal lighting and maintained emergency lighting located side by side in the same luminaire. Both lamps are used for normal lighting and one of these is also used for emergency lighting when the power fails.

Types of Single Point Units (SPU)

Sustained (now called Combined NonMaintained) are a two lamp combination of normal lighting and non-maintained emergency lighting located side by side within the same luminaire. One lamp is used for normal lighting and the other for emergency lighting. The light output is sustained even when the power has failed.

Direct & indirect lighting

Direct lighting a system of lighting in which most of the light emitted is directed towards the surface to be lit, usually in a downward direction. Indirect lighting a system in which most of the light is provided by reflection from ceilings, walls or other surfaces

Mains connections
Unswitched active the unswitched supply is used to charge the battery and is monitored to determine the supply status. It therefore must be present at all times to ensure reliable operation of the emergency function.

Mains connections
Switched active some emergency light fittings have two active connections, switched and unswitched. The nonemergency part of those fittings can be turned ON and OFF in the same manner as conventional light fittings.

Communications & Emergency Lighting

The Australian Standard AS2293.2 requires emergency light fittings to be tested every 6 months. On large sites this is a particularly cumbersome exercise. Computerised emergency lighting systems are a combination of a communication network and emergency lighting. They allow the control and testing of a large series of emergency lights from a single PC The Stanilite monitoring system is called Nexus. There are currently two Nexus systems available: Nexus LX: data cable monitoring system Nexus RF: wireless monitoring system

Rechargeable Battery Technology

There are 3 types of batteries used in emergency lighting Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)

Each of these types of battery has its place depending upon the cost and performance required from a unit.

Rechargeable Battery Technology

There are 4 primary factors affecting battery life
Improper charging Elevated temperature Continuous overcharging Depth of discharge

Lamp Technology
There are 3 types of lamp used in Stanilite emergency lighting Fluorescent Reliable easy to replace 10W most common in Exits up to 1 year lamp life

Lamp Technology
Stanilite Lumatec Cold Cathode
very reliable easy to replace Less than 7W means energy savings of up to 300% over conventional 10W fluoro based product up to 6 year lamp life means further cost savings CCFL lamps do no burn out which is the primary cause of Exit sign failure

Lamp Technology
Halogen a specialised type of incandescent lamp used in downlight emergency luminaires and flood lights. They produce a crisp, white light and allow precise light focusing whilst reducing energy consumption.

Charging Technology
There are 3 types of battery charging techniques used for NiCad & NiMH batteries Single Rate charges the battery at a constant current regardless of time or battery condition. This method is cheap but will shortened battery life Dual Rate after an AC failure, the dual rate charger switches to a higher charging current for a timed period, then switches to a lower rate. Prolongs battery life however may not fully charge the battery and at the low rate may not maintain a full charge. This method is the most expensive. Variable Rate varies the current according to the battery charged condition. Higher rate after an AC failure but reduces as battery capacity is restored. Prolongs battery life and provides good recharge even at elevated temperatures. The best option in terms of performance and cost.

Codes & Standards

The BCA sets the rules and regulations for the construction of all types of buildings. When an emergency and exit lighting design is required, the BCA must first be consulted to determine the class of structure and the requirements. AS/NZS 2293 must then be used to determine the spacings for different classifications of lights as well as physical installation conditions

Codes & Standards

AS/NZS 2293 is broken into 3 parts
System, Design & Installation
Eg spacings, labeling, control, commissioning etc

Inspection & Maintenance

Eg Emergency lighting is to be tested every 6 months and results recorded in a logbook etc

Emergency Luminaires & Exit Signs

Eg Colours, markings, compliance testing etc

IP Rating
You will often hear the term IP rating used throughout the industry. The Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicates the degree of protection provided by an enclosure from solid objects & water. Within lighting this term is most often used in relation to Weatherproof Fittings. The IP rating consists of 2 numbers eg IP65. The first number indicates the protection from solid objects such as dust. The second number refers to the protection against water. The higher the numbers the better the degree of protection. The maximum rating is IP68

EXIT Signs
Indicate a path of egress (escape)

Exit Signs
The Australian emergency lighting industry is about to undergo the most significant change in some years. AS2293, the standard governing emergency evacuation lighting has been updated as of mid 2005 and came into force when the Building Code was re-released in May 2006. The most significant change is the move away from using the word EXIT on all signs, to the use of an international moving person pictograph The standard also sets out the maximum viewing distance of signs and introduces the potential for a 16m viewing distance sign of which there are currently none on the market.

Viewing distances
With respect to EXIT signs, one of the issues that AS/NZS 2293 deals with is maximum viewing distances i.e what is the maximum distance at which a given sign is deemed to be effective in guiding egress. The most critical element here is the physical size of elements on the sign. Previously, the smallest sign was a 24m viewing distance however the revised AS2293:2005 recognises sizes from 16m to 40m

Configurations
There are 4 basic configurations of Exit sign that need to be understood
Single sided means that it can only be read from one side Double sided means the EXIT sign is legible from both sides No diffuser but including Back Plate - means it is a single sided sign with the diffuser missing. No diffuser or back plate means that only the body of the unit is supplied

Note that each range handles these configurations slightly differently but the underlying philosophy holds

Mounting options
There are 6 basic mounting options for Exit signs that need to be understood
Wall Mount
Surface Recessed Cantilever

Ceiling Mount
Surface Recessed Suspended

Wall mounting options

Surface wall mount
the unit sits in a horizontal position attached parallel to the surface of the wall either directly or via a bracket

Recessed wall mount

the unit sits in a horizontal position recessed into the surface of the wall so the face sits flush with the surface

Cantilever wall mount

the unit sits in a horizontal position attached perpendicular to the wall via a bracket

Ceiling mounting options

Surface ceiling mount
the unit is fixing directly onto the ceiling which can apply to battens, downlights or exits

Recessed ceiling mount

in the case of an exit sign, the control gear is recessed into the ceiling and only the diffuser protrudes downwards.

Suspended ceiling mount

some or all of the unit is suspended via wire or chain from the ceiling. The control gear may be surface or recess mounted to the ceiling

Exit Lighting
Thomas & Betts market Exit Lights in 3 ranges

Economy Series

Quickfit Series

Legend Series

Economy Exit Lights

The Economy 10W Exit gives the contractor a good quality box style Exit for both the replacement and new construction markets. Peel off arrow diffusers in 3 mounting options Wall Mount, Single Sided Ceiling and Double Sided Ceiling Opal or prismatic diffusers available for use as a safety light

Economy Exit Lights

Bodies and diffusers are sold separately Large 16mm2 mains terminal with switched active option for easy installation Standard with high temperature NiCad batteries with 2 hour discharge rating

Quickfit Exit Lights

The Stanilite Quickfit is the market standard for Exit lights and is the most widely used product. Pivotal to the success of the Quickfit range has been the unique steel slide connect bracket allowing any Quickfit to be swapped or upgraded without tools.

Quickfit Exit Lights

The Quickfit bracket comes with large 16mm terminals for easy installation The integral full length cable cover provides safe and accessible power cable junctioning All Quickfits can be wall or ceiling mounted with the same diffuser To minimise construction phase damage, only the Quickfit bracket needs to be installed during fitout

Quickfit Exit Lights

The Quickfit range comprises Cold Cathode EXIT series 10W EXIT series Cold Cathode & 10W Theatre EXIT series Weatherproof EXIT series All 10W EXITS come complete in one box with either single or double sided peel off arrow diffusers until the change to pictograph in May 2006 All series are available in Nexus compatible models

Quickfit Exit Lights

The Quickfit is comprised of three standard parts Ceiling bracket Body (incorporating the lamp, batteries & control gear) Diffuser/s and/or backplate

Quickfit Exit Lights

Additional parts are available as optional extras eg cantilever brackets Quickfits use NiCd batteries with variable rate charging Both maintained and sustained models are available In addition to the standard range, the Quickfit is also available in an 18W Standard and Jumbo for use in many commercial and industrial applications Weatherproof range also available

Legend Exit Lights

The Legend is the elegant Stanilite edgelight EXIT Features unique prismatic diffusers that provide discreet yet highly visible exit directions at all times. Recessed, surface or wall mount options available Available in Cold Cathode and 10W models Nexus option available

Emergency Lighting
Provide a minimum light level throughout an area to enable occupants to transverse through that area

Photometric Data
Emergency fittings are available in several different types to suit various applications. Each fitting has a Photometric classification that is used with a spacing table to determine spacings for given mounting heights. The resultant spacings provide the required AS2293 minimum of 0.2 Lux of emergency lighting in an area. For large areas, multiple fittings are simply mounted in a grid determined by the calculated spacings. Batten fittings have different spacings in the X (C0 & C180) and Y (C90) planes due to the shape of the lamp and reflective surfaces. It is important therefore that the battens are correctly orientated Recessed downlights have a single classification which determines their spacing in both directions

Photometric Data Table

Photometric Data
Simple example
EBT136M batten Photometric classifications C0 = D32 & C90 = C32 At a ceiling height of 3m this means that the battens can be a maximum of 17.2m apart in the X plane and 11.8m apart in the Y plane
Max 17.2m

Max 11.8m

Emergency Lighting
Thomas & Betts market Emergency Lights in 3 ranges

Halogen Downlights

Fluorescent Battens

Halogen Flood Units

Emergency Halogen Downlights

Thomas & Betts market 3 ranges of halogen downlights
10W Economy Spitfire

10W Spitfire 7W Spitfire

Spitfire 10W
Market leading D20 classified emergency downlight 3 main components remote charging & control unit, battery pack & spinning (lamp assembly) Utilises NiCad batteries Variable rate charging using lightweight, lower profile pack Operates in the non-maintained mode only

Spitfire 10W
Predominantly recessed but a surface mount option is available Available with small (85mm) or large (141mm) heads Lampheads available with a clear dome or in a IP65 Weatherproof configuration Nexus compatible model available

Spitfire 7W
D12.5 classified recessed emergency downlight 3 main components remote charging & control unit, battery pack & spinning Utilises NiCd batteries that outperform SLAs Variable rate charging using lightweight, lower profile pack Operates in the non-maintained mode only Available with small (85mm) or large (141mm) heads Available with clear dome

Economy Spitfire
D10 classified recessed emergency downlight 3 main components remote charging & control unit, battery pack & spinning Utilises Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) batteries Constant rate charging and operates in the nonmaintained mode only Standard with large (141mm) head Available with clear dome

Emergency Battens
Emergency battens are designed to provide large amounts of light in a general nature. These units are primarily used back of house, carparks, warehousing & other large open spaces

Emergency Battens
Thomas & Betts market 5 main ranges of battens

EBAT - Economy

PBAT - Premium

WP Premium Weatherproof

EW Economy Weatherproof

VP Vandal proof

EBAT - Economy Battens

Available in 18W & 36W models, single or twin lamped Maintained or non-maintained Available in bare, prismatic diffused or wireguard combinations Standard with hi-temp NiCad batteries Large 16mm terminals with switched active option (maintained only) Supplied without lamps Use Davis metalwork

PBAT - Premium Battens

Available in 18W, 36W & 58W models, single or twin lamped Superior photometric performance means fewer fittings are needed in an area which reduces installation, running and maintenance costs Maintained or non-maintained Available in bare, prismatic diffused or wireguard combinations Standard with advanced hi-temp NiCad batteries and electronic ballasts Nexus compatible models available Supplied without lamps

WP - Premium Weatherproof Battens

Available in 18W, 36W & 58W models, single or twin lamped Superior photometric performance means fewer fittings are needed in an area which reduces installation, running and maintenance costs IP65 rated and therefore suited to a wide range of commercial & industrial applications Maintained, non-maintained or AC only Batten consists of high quality glass reinforced polyester (GRP) base and a tough polycarbonate diffuser with stainless steel clips Standard with advanced hi-temp NiCad batteries Nexus compatible models available Supplied without lamps

EW - Economy Weatherproof Battens

Available in 18W & 36W models, single or twin lamped Maintained or AC only Batten consists of tough polycarbonate base with the option of an acrylic or poycarbonate diffuser both with stainless steel clips Standard with advanced hi-temp NiCad batteries Supplied without lamps

VP - Vandalproof Battens
Available in 18W & 36W models, single or twin lamped Designed to maintain high luminance, strength & reliability Maintained only Batten consists of an aluminium body and end caps, anti tamper cover screws and a 3mm thick UV stabilised, polycarbonate lens Standard with advanced hi-temp NiCad batteries Nexus compatible models available Supplied without lamps Vandalproof key tool required for installation

Emergency Floodlights
There are 2 ranges of halogen Flood Units available

EFL Economy Flood Units

FL Flood Units

Economy Flood Units

2 x 8W Halogen Emergency Floodlight Provides indirect light Large twin lamps that can be individually angled to suit installation Standard with flex & plug means no wiring Uses SLA battery with 2 hr discharge rating

Flood Units
12W Sealed beam, 20W Halogen & 35W Sealed Beam Lamp Head options Standard or Nexus monitored options Provides indirect light Large twin lamps that can be individually angled to suit installation Steel enclosure Standard with flex & plug means no wiring Uses SLA battery with 2 hr discharge rating Optional 20W remote lamp head mounting base

Power Packs & Accessories

Power packs
Thomas & Betts provide a complete range of emergency lighting power packs for retrofitting into luminaires often by other OEMs T5, T8 and special lamp types are available 2 series are available, the EPP Economy packs and the PP Premium packs. PP packs offer better overall performance & are available in Nexus compatible models. All packs use 105 deg C rated electronics and advanced NiCad battery packs

Spare Parts & Accessories

Thomas & Betts also supply a range of emergency lighting accessories such as logbooks, testing units All of the major components are also available as spare parts eg batteries, power packs, lamps & diffusers

Test switch

Battery pack

Log book

And lots more.

You have come to the conclusion of the introductory lighting module. Please note that this module has only given you a brief overview of the range. There are several specialist product areas that we have not explored and significant detail within each section that has not been discussed. If you need or want to know more, please ensure that you go through the more advanced modules as they become available. To register your completion of this course, please email the Human Resources department: julean.lipsham@tnb.com
EXIT