Emergency exit lighting plays a crucial role in guiding occupants to safety during power outages or emergencies. When these lights are in top working condition, they provide essential visibility that can make a significant difference during an evacuation. However, even minor deficiencies in emergency lighting systems can compromise safety and compliance. In this blog, we'll explore the top five common deficiencies found during emergency exit lighting inspections and how to prevent them.
1. Dead Batteries
Emergency lights rely on backup batteries to function during power outages. When these batteries are dead or faulty, the lights won't activate, leaving occupants without clear exit pathways. Battery failure is often due to age, lack of maintenance, or failure to replace them after reaching the end of their lifespan.
Prevention Tip: Schedule regular testing and replacements of backup batteries to ensure they are always ready in case of an emergency. CertaSite’s maintenance programs include battery checks to identify and resolve potential issues before they become critical.
2. Burned-Out Bulbs
A burned-out bulb in an emergency light renders it useless. Over time, bulbs can naturally degrade and fail, impacting the effectiveness of the entire system.
Prevention Tip: Quick replacement of burned-out bulbs is essential. Routine inspections by professionals, like those from CertaSite, can ensure that all lights are fully operational, reducing the risk of visibility issues during an evacuation.
3. Missing or Damaged Lights
Emergency lights can be knocked out of place, damaged, or even removed during renovations or other building changes. Missing or damaged lights leave gaps in coverage, which can lead to confusion during an emergency.
Prevention Tip: Conduct visual inspections to identify missing or damaged units. Any replacements or repairs should be handled promptly to maintain complete coverage throughout your facility.
4. Improper Placement of Lights
Proper placement of emergency lights is critical for effective evacuation routes. Lights that are incorrectly positioned may not illuminate key areas, potentially violating OSHA and NFPA guidelines.
Prevention Tip: Ensure that lights are installed in accordance with NFPA and OSHA standards. This includes appropriate positioning near exits, stairwells, and along evacuation routes. CertaSite’s trained technicians can assess and correct placement issues, ensuring compliance and safety.
5. Unperformed Routine Maintenance
Routine maintenance is essential to keep emergency exit lighting systems functional. When regular inspections are skipped or delayed, small issues can go unnoticed, eventually leading to major deficiencies.
Prevention Tip: Regular inspections and maintenance are key to identifying and addressing minor problems before they escalate. CertaSite offers comprehensive inspection and maintenance services, designed to keep your emergency exit lighting systems compliant and reliable.
Ensuring Safety with CertaSite
Don’t wait for an emergency to discover that your exit lighting system has deficiencies. Regular inspections and proactive maintenance are the best ways to ensure your lights work when you need them the most.
Contact CertaSite today to schedule an inspection and ensure your emergency lighting is always ready to guide the way. Contact Us.
