Emergency lighting design is the process to determine if emergency luminaires and exit signage are required within a premises, where they should be located and ensuring through lighting calculations that the required light levels will be achieved.
Emergency lighting is a legal requirement in almost all buildings except for dwellings in the UK. The 2 Key documents making emergency lighting a necessity are:
- The Regulatory Reform (fire Safety) Order 2005 (or RRO) mandate that the “Responsible Person” should ensure that:
- Emergency exits and routes are indicated by signs, and
- Emergency exits and routes requiring illumination are provided with emergency lighting of adequate intensity in the case of failure to their normal lighting, and
- Emergency lighting is subject to a suitable system of maintenance.
- Building Regulations 2010 Fire Safety Approved Document B. This document also mandates the use of escape lighting in almost all buildings and situations except for private residential premises. This document also states that escape lighting must comply with BS 5266-1
Introducing Our Cloud-Based Monitored Self-Testing Emergency Lighting System – Powered by LoRaWAN
At Emergi-Safe Ltd, we are excited to announce the launch of our Cloud-Based Monitored Self-Testing Emergency Lighting System, developed to bring the next level of reliability, efficiency, and compliance to emergency lighting management.
Unlike traditional systems that rely on manual testing or standard Wi-Fi connections, our solution uses LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technology, a purpose-built wireless communication protocol designed for secure, low-power, and long-range connectivity. This ensures that every luminaire in your building stays connected and monitored, without the pitfalls of other wireless technologies.
Smarter Emergency Lighting made possible with LoRaWAN
Our system automatically performs monthly function tests and annual duration tests on all emergency lighting in accordance with BS 5266-1 standards. Test results are securely uploaded to the cloud, giving you real-time oversight through a centralised portal accessible anytime, anywhere.
By using LoRaWAN, the system avoids the congestion, power demands, and reliability issues often associated with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Zigbee solutions.
Why LoRaWAN? The Benefits Over Other Wireless Technologies
- Unrivalled Range
LoRaWAN signals can travel up to 10–15 km in open space and penetrate deep inside buildings, far beyond the reach of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This ensures full coverage across large or complex sites without the need for costly infrastructure.
- Low Power Consumption
Devices using LoRaWAN consume very little energy, allowing emergency luminaires to self-test and communicate without draining resources. This extends battery life and reduces maintenance demand compared with Wi-Fi- or Zigbee-based systems.
- Secure and Reliable
LoRaWAN uses end-to-end AES128 encryption, providing a higher level of security than many consumer-grade wireless technologies. This protects sensitive compliance data and ensures reliable communication at all times.
- Scalable for Multi-Site Portfolios
Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth networks, which can struggle with large-scale rollouts, LoRaWAN is designed for scalability. Whether you manage one site or hundreds, our system delivers consistent performance and oversight from a single cloud dashboard.
- Resilient in Challenging Environments
Where Wi-Fi may drop out due to interference or building structure, LoRaWAN maintains strong connectivity. This makes it ideal for environments such as warehouses, hospitals, schools, and industrial premises.
Key Features of Our System
- Automated Self-Testing – Scheduled monthly function and annual duration tests.
- LoRaWAN Connectivity – Long-range, low-power, highly secure communication.
- Cloud Monitoring – Real-time dashboard with test logs, system health, and alerts.
- Compliance Assurance – Full digital records aligned with UK fire safety standards.
- Instant Notifications – Alerts for faults and failures to enable proactive maintenance.
- Cost Savings – Reduced labour, minimal disruption, and less reliance on manual checks.
Who Benefits from LoRaWAN Emergency Lighting?
Our system is designed for a wide range of sectors, including:
- Commercial and Office Buildings
- Retail, Leisure, and Hospitality
- Warehousing and Industrial Facilities
- Healthcare and Education
- Multi-Site Property Management
For building owners, landlords, and facilities managers, the combination of LoRaWAN + Cloud Monitoring delivers unmatched oversight and peace of mind.
Future-Proof Your Fire Safety Compliance
With growing regulatory focus on fire safety, ensuring your emergency lighting is compliant and well-documented has never been more important. Our Cloud-Based Monitored Self-Testing Emergency Lighting System gives you the tools to stay ahead of compliance requirements while improving safety and efficiency.
Whether you manage a single site or multiple properties nationwide, our solution ensures total compliance and real-time oversight at your fingertips.
Ready to Experience the Future of Emergency Lighting?
Contact us today to arrange a demonstration or to discuss how LoRaWAN technology can transform the way you manage emergency lighting.
Consultation and Risk Assessment / Survey
At the early stages of any design should be a consultation, and this should involve the building owner, developer, architect, contractors and the responsible person. The purpose of this consultation is to determine the following:
- Should the building be designed for immediate evacuation in the event of an emergency, or if a “Stay Put” strategy will be more suitable.
- How the different areas of the building are to be used. Offices, WC’s, workshop, plant room etc
- How many occupants are expected to be in the building at any one time.
- The number and location of escape routes
With this information an on-site survey/risk assessment should be carried out to determine any risks associated with tasks being carried out in various areas of the building and what measures are to be taken to mitigate them.
Points Of Emphasis (POE)
POE generally require a higher illuminance level compared to an open area or an escape route. These areas should be identified at the point of survey and illuminated according to BS 5266-1 Clause 5.2.8.1 as detailed below. Emergi-Safe will always accommodate POE requirements as part of our design.
BS 5266-1:2016
5.2.8.1 General
Siting and illuminance levels of emergency escape lighting luminaires should be in accordance with BS EN 1838.
Emergency escape lighting should be provided in escape routes, open areas, high risk task areas, and points of emphasis including:
- near (see Note 1) each exit door intended to be used in an emergency;
- near (see Note 1) stairs so that each flight of stairs receives direct light;
- near (see Note 1) any other change in level;
- externally illuminated escape route signs, escape route direction signs and other safety signs needing to be illuminated under emergency lighting conditions;
- at each change of direction (see Note 2);
- at each intersection of corridors (see Note 2);
- near (see Note 1) to each final exit and outside the building to a place of safety;
- near (see Note 1) each first aid point;
- near (see Note 1) each piece of fire-fighting equipment and call point;
- near (see Note 1) escape equipment provided for disabled people;
- near (see Note 1) refuges and call points, including two-way communication systems and disabled toilet alarm call positions;
- near (see Note 1) manual release controls provided to release electronically locked doors as recommended in BS 7273-4.
NOTE 1 For the purpose of this subclause, “near” is normally considered to be within 2m measured horizontally.
NOTE 2 For the purpose of this subclause, “at” means that the emergency luminaire would illuminate in both directions at the change of direction or Intersection.
