Duration of fire emergency lighting
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I need help: what are the required durations for various types of emergency lighting according to the latest standards? Which standards does it come from? I remember there were versions that lasted 30 minutes and 90 minutes; recently, the safety department in my factory said that the latest regulations require 3 hours, so I’m reaching out for help.
For factory buildings, 0.5 hours is sufficient (Code for Building Design 50016-2012 10.1.5). This time is sufficient for the evacuation of people. In places such as fire control rooms, fire pump rooms, and generator rooms that need to remain operational in case of a fire, the duration of backup lighting should be equal to the length of time the fire persists within the facility; this could be 3 hours. It is not allowed for the lighting in these areas to go out before the fire is extinguished (Code for Building Design 10.3.3). Additionally, according to GB17945-2010 – the Fire Emergency Standards, section 6.3.1.2 requires that the power supply duration for all emergency lighting systems must be no less than 90 minutes; this requirement is stricter than that specified in building codes. Generally, the lighting fixtures we purchase are labeled as having a power supply duration of >90 minutes. Now, our experts in reviewing construction drawings conduct their inspections in accordance with the new standard, the \"Technical Code for Fire Emergency Lighting and Evacuation Signaling Systems\" GB 51309-2018. The time requirements specified in this standard are roughly similar to those in the Building Code, as stated in clause 3.2.4.
In everything, it’s always right to follow the highest standards. Besides, it’s the company that’s paying, not an individual – so why worry or try to save money?