One of the most prevalent oversights in commercial facilities is insufficient lighting coverage. All escape routes, including stairwells, hallways, restrooms, and exterior exit paths, must be properly illuminated to meet safety and code requirements.

When emergency lights are not positioned to ensure consistent visibility throughout the evacuation path, people may become disoriented during emergencies. Avoid this mistake by conducting a comprehensive lighting audit during the design stage and any time layout changes are made. Reference standards like NFPA 101 to ensure coverage meets required illumination levels.

A robust risk assessment forms the foundation of a compliant life safety lighting system. These assessments are not a one-time event; they are legally required and must be updated regularly, especially when structural or layout changes occur.

Failure to complete regular risk assessments can lead to non-compliance, outdated designs, and missed updates to legislation. All assessments should be carried out by a competent and accredited individual or team, and documentation should be retained to show due diligence. Without this step, your emergency lighting plan may be built on assumptions rather than actual building needs.

Even if fixtures are technically installed, poor placement can make them ineffective. Exit signs that are obstructed or emergency lights that do not cast sufficient illumination on the path of egress fail to guide people to safety.

Placement must consider visibility from various angles, including during a potential smoke event. All signs and lights should be installed at optimal height and angles to remain visible in low-visibility conditions. Conduct on-site reviews after installation to confirm placement meets both compliance and functional safety requirements.

Using substandard or non-compliant lighting fixtures is a short-sighted, cost-saving move that can lead to serious consequences. Some buildings still rely on outdated or underperforming luminaires that fail to meet minimum brightness levels, such as 1 lux along the central line of escape routes.

Additionally, poorly chosen luminaires often lack readily available replacements or require costly maintenance to ensure long-term reliability; partner with experienced service providers that provide code-compliant, LED-based emergency lighting solutions built to last and supported by solid warranties and availability of parts.

Emergency lighting must operate for at least 90 minutes during a power failure. However, many facilities neglect to consider the performance of the backup batteries powering these fixtures. Whether sealed lead-acid or nickel-cadmium, battery types have unique advantages and vulnerabilities.

For instance, sealed lead-acid batteries can suffer from deep cycling damage, while nickel-cadmium batteries may underperform in extreme temperatures unless paired with internal heaters. Choosing the right battery type and ensuring fixtures are rated for the building’s specific environmental conditions is key to avoiding failure during an emergency.

Some facilities consider self-luminescent or photoluminescent exit signs as an alternative to powered models. While permitted by some standards, these options can fall short of performance requirements. Photoluminescent signs, for example, often struggle to maintain adequate brightness for the full 90-minute duration after a power loss.

Tritium signs, while longer-lasting, pose serious disposal and contamination risks if damaged. These signs can incur high disposal costs and require special handling. For most commercial applications, energy-efficient LED exit signs with battery backup remain the safest and most reliable choice.

Perhaps the most fundamental mistake is treating life safety lighting as a one-time installation rather than an ongoing commitment. This mindset often leads to systems falling into disrepair or becoming non-compliant over time. Even when third-party vendors manage these systems, the ultimate responsibility remains with the facility owner or manager.

It’s essential to remain engaged and stay updated on current codes, track system performance, and plan for periodic reviews and upgrades. Treating emergency lighting as a dynamic system ensures it evolves with your building’s needs and maintains the highest level of occupant safety.

Conclusion

Life safety lighting in commercial buildings plays an irreplaceable role in emergency preparedness. From design to equipment selection and ongoing risk assessments, every element matters. By understanding these common mistakes and actively working to avoid them, facility managers can safeguard both lives and legal compliance. If your building hasn’t had a recent emergency lighting audit, now is the time to schedule one. Your occupants’ safety may depend on it.

Action Services Group can assist in the safety of your building through our national life safety life services, which includes testing, replacements and installations of exit or emergency lighting. To contact Action Services Group call 610-558-9773, email [email protected], or schedule a call with the button below.