Today, people across the UK and Europe will be looking to the skies as the Moon passes in front of the Sun during the solar eclipse.
While the temporary change in daylight is a fascinating natural event, it also gives us a timely opportunity to talk about something we take for granted every day: light.
In our homes and workplaces, we expect the lights to come on at the flick of a switch. But what happens when the power fails unexpectedly?
For businesses, schools, offices, shops and other commercial or public premises, that’s where emergency lighting becomes essential.
What is emergency lighting?
Emergency lighting is designed to operate automatically if the normal lighting supply fails.
Its purpose is simple but incredibly important: to provide enough illumination for people to see where they’re going and leave a building safely.
During a power cut, electrical fault, fire or other emergency, a building can suddenly become very dark. Without adequate emergency lighting, finding corridors, stairs, exits and changes in floor level can become much more difficult – particularly in an unfamiliar building.
Emergency lighting helps illuminate escape routes and important safety features, including:
- Emergency exits and exit routes
- Corridors and stairways
- Changes in floor level
- Fire alarm call points
- Firefighting equipment
- Areas where sudden darkness could present a particular danger
Having emergency lights isn’t enough
Emergency lighting can easily go unnoticed during the normal working day.
It’s there on the wall or ceiling, quietly waiting until it’s needed. But just because the fitting is there doesn’t necessarily mean it will work correctly during an emergency.
Batteries can deteriorate, lamps and fittings can develop faults and changes to a building’s layout can affect whether escape routes are adequately illuminated.
That’s why regular emergency lighting testing and maintenance is so important.
Testing helps confirm that the system operates when the normal power supply is interrupted and that emergency fittings can provide the required illumination for the necessary period.
Finding a problem during routine maintenance gives you the opportunity to put it right. Finding out your emergency lighting doesn’t work when the building is already in darkness is far from ideal.
One of the Four Pillars of Electrical Safety
At TECC, emergency lighting is one of our Four Pillars of Electrical Safety, alongside:
Each pillar addresses a different aspect of electrical safety, but they all have something important in common: prevention and preparation.
Electrical safety isn’t simply about responding when something goes wrong. It’s about regularly checking, testing and maintaining the systems designed to keep people and property safe.
Don’t wait until you’re left in the dark
Today’s solar eclipse may give us a spectacular reminder of just how noticeable a change in light can be.
In an emergency, however, reliable lighting isn’t about spectacle – it’s about safety.
If you’re responsible for a workplace, commercial property, school, public building or other premises, now is a good time to ask: when was your emergency lighting last checked?
The TECC team can inspect, test and maintain emergency lighting systems, helping you make sure they’re ready to operate when they’re needed most.
Need help with your emergency lighting or any of the Four Pillars of Electrical Safety? Get in touch with TECC to find out how we can help keep your premises safe.