In the hustle and bustle of operating a small business, safety measures can sometimes take a
back seat. However, one crucial element that should never be overlooked is emergency lighting.

Vandalism is unfortunately something that most of us have to deal with at one time or another. Thankfully, there are lighting solutions that provide peace of mind even if the power goes out.

Your emergency lighting system includes emergency lights and exit signs that guide people to
safety in the event of a fire or power outage. The National Fire Code (NFC) is the standard that sets guidelines for the design, installation, and maintenance of emergency lighting systems. In this article, we will discuss emergency lighting, the requirements of the NFC, how emergency lighting is designed, and the importance of regular maintenance.

Area of Refuge Signs

What is an Area of Refuge?  

An area of refuge (sometimes called an area of rescue) is a designated spot in a building where individuals with mobility challenges can wait for help in case of an emergency and evacuation is not safe or is not possible. It is intended for the elderly, persons with disabilities, sick people, and anyone else who cannot use the stairs to exit.  It has a call button for help and a 2-way voice communication system.

The 90-Minute Emergency Lighting Test - What Is It?

Emergency lights are important in the event of an emergency, as they can help individuals safely evacuate the building. Building safety codes require that your emergency lights function for at least
1.5 hours. The 90-minute emergency lighting test makes sure that your emergency lights are ready to handle any situation.

Eventually, no matter how well you take care of your exit signs, you have to buy a new one for your building. Or perhaps you just bought a building that needs an exit sign to get up to code. Regardless of the circumstance, you will have several designs to choose from. Here are a few options that you might find.

    Keeping your emergency and exit lights ready for the worst is an important part of maintaining any building, and conserving the lights' backup batteries are a big part of that job. Doing it effectively, fortunately, is fairly easy once you understand the basics of emergency light batteries.

Every business, no matter how big or small, comes with a surprisingly long list of maintenance responsibilities. Just keeping the facility properly swept, mopped, and wiped down with a sanitizing cleaner takes enough effort as-is. Almost no team manages to keep up with every corner of the building, especially in areas where it's not fun to be. From cleaning the break room microwave to wiping down handrails, there are a number of facility upkeep tasks that need to be maintained, and maintaining the building lighting is one of these little tasks that all too often falls through the cracks.

Building safety regulations require that every commercial facility be fitted with a minimum number of lit emergency exit signs. Anywhere the closest fire escape route is not immediately evident must have a visibly lit exit sign with an arrow pointing in the correct direction. Exterior doors must be marked with a similar exit sign, letting everyone know which door leads them to the safe outdoor areas. However, you have no reason to stop at the bare minimum of what the fire marshal demands.

If you are starting a new business or remodeling an old property that the public will use, it’s essential that you take the proper safety precautions. Egress signs have to meet different qualifications in every city and state, and sometimes in every county in a particular state. In general, authorities expect your exit signs to be: