Emergency lighting is activated in cases of general power supply failure. It is intended to facilitate unhindered continuation of work (stand-by lighting) or ensure risk-free termination of work and safe evacuation of work rooms (safety lighting). Safety lighting in turn is subdivided into "safety lighting for workstations with particular hazards", "safety lighting for escape routes" and anti-panic lighting (see also chapter "Emergency lighting").
Emergency light installations
Events of general power supply failure give rise to accident hazards. For this reason, European directive 89/654/EEC „Minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace“ stipulates that work places must be equipped with emergency lighting. In Germany, this directive was incorporated into national law through the work place ordinance “Arbeitsstättenverordnung” of 12.8.2004. The situation is similar in other EU countries. EU directive 92/58/EEC regarding minimum requirements for the provision of safety and /or health signs at work serves the same protective goal. It regulates the design of safety signs, e.g. for escape routes, which also must be supplied with emergency power in cases of mains failure.