Verifying Emergency Lighting and Exit Markings Before Reopening A Building

As businesses prepare to reopen after being vacant for months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, assuring the functionality of critical life safety systems is a top priority for facility managers and building owners. Among these, emergency lighting and exit markings are necessary for guaranteeing safe egress.

Before reintroducing occupants, it is important to verify that these systems are working properly. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) emphasizes the importance of checking fire protection and life safety systems, especially emergency lighting and exit markings, before reoccupying the building.

Why Emergency Lighting and Exit Markings Matter

Emergency lighting and exit markings play a key role in guiding people safely out of a building in case of an emergency. The NFPA 101®, Life Safety Code® mandates emergency lighting in designated areas such as corridors, aisles, stairs, and passageways. These areas must lead to exits in various types of buildings, including assembly halls, educational institutions, hotels, mercantile spaces, and businesses.

These systems are designed to illuminate automatically when there is a loss of power so that occupants can exit safely. The emergency lighting must stay on for at least 90 minutes, either when the building loses power, a circuit breaker is activated, or a switch to the normal lighting is turned off manually.

In addition to lighting, exit markings are required to identify exits that are not immediately obvious, such as secondary doors or routes. The markings must be visible from all directions leading to the exit and need to be illuminated either internally or externally.

Types of Emergency Lighting and Testing Methods

Emergency lighting for buildings is provided in two primary ways.

• Emergency Generator System: Some buildings use an emergency generator and automatic transfer switch to power a portion of the lights during a power loss. In this case, the ITM performed on the generator must comply with NFPA 110.
• Battery-Powered Emergency Lighting Units: In other buildings, separate emergency lighting units are connected to the building’s power supply to charge their batteries. If power is lost, these batteries power the emergency lights. ITM is necessary to verify that the batteries hold a charge, the bulbs function correctly, and the lights can last for the required 90 minutes.

Technique to Test Emergency Lighting and Exit Markings

Manual Testing

Using the manual method, emergency lights should be operated monthly for at least 30 seconds. This can be done by following the manufacturer’s procedure. It usually involves pressing a test button to disconnect the main power to the unit. This helps confirm that the battery holds more than a residual charge and that the lights are functional.

Additionally, it is required that the emergency lights be operated annually for at least 90 minutes to verify the full capacity of the battery. These tests should be documented to comply with safety standards.

Self-Test Method

With the self-test method, units automatically check their functionality and signal issues through an indicator light. Unlike traditional models, they do not require manual monthly or annual testing. However, a visual inspection every 30 days is necessary to make sure they remain undamaged and free of warning indicators.

Computer-Based Testing

For larger buildings or those with many emergency lighting units, a computer-based system is often used. This system tracks the status of the lights and logs any issues automatically. No visual inspection is needed every 30 days. Any faults or problems will be reported through the system.

Verifying Exit Markings

NFPA 101 also mandates that illuminated exit signs be provided in many types of occupancies, including assembly halls, educational institutions, hotels, mercantile spaces, and businesses. These signs must be visible from any direction along the exit access and must be illuminated.

The illumination of exit signs should be confirmed by a visual inspection every 30 days. If the building also has emergency lighting, the illuminated exit markings must be connected to emergency power. The same testing methods used for emergency lighting can be applied to test the emergency power for exit markings.

Documentation of ITM Activities

Proper documentation of all inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) activities is essential. This includes the monthly 30-second test and the annual 90-minute test for emergency lighting. It is also crucial to document the inspection of exit markings and their illumination.

Having detailed records of all testing will help assure compliance with safety codes and provide proof that no required testing has been overlooked.

Preparing for Safe Reopening

As buildings prepare to reopen, facility managers must verify that emergency lighting and exit markings are in good working order. Whether through manual, self-test, or computer-based testing, it is necessary that these systems are thoroughly checked.

Emergency lighting and exit markings are vital for the safe evacuation of building occupants, especially during power outages or emergencies. Building owners can confidently reopen their buildings while prioritizing occupant safety by maintaining accurate records of all inspections and tests.