Emergency Exit Lighting Installation Tips for Brisbane Businesses

Emergency and exit lighting are often overlooked when not needed, like most safety equipment. However, they are significantly helpful in the time of emergencies. During fire emergencies, power outages often occur and finding the way out is surely difficult. The emergency illumination ensures that the occupants can safely exit a building. This blog will help to how to find a local supplier for emergency exit lighting.

Australian Standard AS 2293 outlines the standard for emergency escape lighting requirements and guidelines in buildings. 

DISCLAIMER: Please take note that FCF strongly recommends that only a qualified electrical worker or licensed electrician install emergency lighting fixtures. Please do not attempt to install, unless you are qualified. Disregarding this notice will void the product warranty and could cause serious injury or death. The purpose of this article is to educate but does not certify or give authority to the readers to install lighting fixtures.

Installing exit signs or emergency lights is similar to installing commercial light fixtures. However, these safety fixtures must be connected directly to the AC power circuit. 

Emergency Light And Exit Sign Instructions

1. Ensure the house circuit is not powered and that the fuse box is properly tagged “Do Not Energize”.
2. Extend AC supply of rated voltage (see product label) to an electrical box. Do not energize the supply until indicated
3. Remove the screw from the power pack cover and remove the cover. Remove the lamp package(s) and, when provided, canopy kit package from the box.
4. The fixture may be either wall, ceiling or end mounted except as noted . Mount the unit per the applicable mounting procedures as follows:

Wall Mounted

i. Remove the appropriate mounting pattern knockouts (KO) from the back plate to accommodate the electrical box screws, and also the center wire pass through KO from the back plate.

ii. Install the supplied bushing into the wire pass hole.

iii. Bring circuit wiring through the wire pass hole and securely fasten the emergency light / exit sign to the electrical box.

Ceiling Or End Mounted

i. Remove the appropriate mounting hole and wire pass hole KOs from the top of the power pack or side of the unit to accommodate the canopy.

ii. Fasten the canopy to the power pack or sign using the supplied screws, washers and nuts (heavier battery units may require a mounting shelf).

iii. Install two supplied screws completely in the outer holes of the spider plate.

iv. Route the circuit wiring through the center hole in the spider plate and fasten the plate to the electrical box using the appropriate slots and the screws supplied with the electrical box.

v. Route the circuit wiring thru the wire pass hole in the canopy into the power pack or sign, as applicable. Then install the sign/canopy assembly on the electrical box so that the two spider plate screws extend thru the recessed holes in the canopy, and secure in place using the two supplied acorn nuts on the screws as shown: 

NOTE: If the screws do not extend far enough to permit installation of the acorn nuts, loosen the electrical box screws enough to allow the spider plate to move away from the mounting surface.

Connecting The Circuit Wiring

Egress Lights With Standard Incandescent / Halogen Lamps

1. Most signs and lights are furnished with a dual voltage 120/277 VAC inputs. For 120 VAC supply, connect the black lead to the 120 VAC line wire (hot). For 277VAC, connect the orange lead to the 277V line wire.
2. Connect the White lead to the neutral wire.

Egress Lights With Fluorescent Lamps

1. Fixtures are typically rated either 120V AC or 277V AC operation only, as indicated on its product label. For 120VAC, connect black lead to the 120V AC line wire. For 277V AC sign connect the orange lead to the 277 VAC line wire. For either voltage, connect the white lead to the neutral wire.
2. Connect Green ground wire according to local code requirements.
3. Install the AC and emergency lamps in their lampholders.
4. Route wires so they do not touch the lamps or cause shadows over the lens.
5. Connect the battery. The equipment is supplied with one battery lead (red positive) connected. If the battery is supplied with terminals, connect the blue wire to the negative (-) terminal. If the battery is supplied with leads, splice the two blue leads (-) together with the provided wire nut.
6. Energize the AC supply. The charge light and the AC lamps will illuminate.
7. Replace the backplate, face(s) / lens, and power pack cover.

Occupant safety is a legal and ethical responsibility of building managers and business owners. It is important that the minimum requirement for Fire Safety Protection and Equipment is met at all times. For more information, contact FCF Brisbane today.

We offer a wide range of fire protection services including supply, installation, and routine inspection of emergency & exit lighting as well as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hose reels, and a lot more.