In a disaster, a properly working emergency light is critical for the safety of your employees and customers. In fact, under federal standards, you must provide good emergency lighting. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that exit doors be clearly marked and that emergency exit routes be lit so that employees with normal vision can see their way out.

Emergency lighting is highly regulated and requirements vary depending on the municipality where your business is located. So before purchasing safety lights, be sure to check local municipal and building codes to ensure compliance. Some other factors you will want to consider include:

1. Which locations in your business need to be illuminated if the power goes out? This includes exit doors, exit routes, stairs, first aid stations and fire fighting stations. What types of power failure emergency light will do the job the best?

2. What type of electrical work will be required for safety light installation?

3. Aesthetically, what do you want your safety lights to look like?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Figure out what type of emergency lighting you will need

A wide range of lighting products are available for inside and outside of your business. If your business uses vehicles, you may want to equip them with an emergency vehicle light, an emergency strobe light or even emergency light bars. Also, you may want to consider purchasing a portable LED emergency light.

I recommend: The Emergency Light Service Center sells a variety of emergency lights for commercial and industrial buildings. For vehicles, check out the light bars and strobes by Federal Signal.

Decide where to put your emergency exit lights and how to install them

Emergency lights need to be placed properly. You will want to light escape routes, stairs and first aid stations. Since placement of safety lights is so critical, you may want to consult with a professional designer.

I recommend: Cooper Lighting and Safety provides excellent diagrams showing the placement of safety lights. The diagrams give you a good idea of how to light exits and exit routes in your business. Companies such as Fire Systems, Inc. can design and install your emergency lighting system.

Decide what you want your safety lights to look like

If customers frequent the building where your business is located, you will want emergency lighting to be subtle and aesthetically pleasing.

I recommend: The Exit Store has a wide variety of emergency lights, in several different styles and colors. For specialty lights, including ones for wet locations, you may want to consider the products available from Lightworld.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before purchasing any safety light, consider the cost of maintenance and energy use. Fortunately, as businesses demand emergency lights that are energy-efficient and easy to maintain, the number of options are increasing.
• •  Don't forget that your emergency lights will have to be inspected and tested on a regular basis.