In a fire situation it takes
less than thirty seconds for conventional ceiling lighting and
escape route signage to be rendered totally ineffective. Hot
smoke rises rapidly forming a hot layer from the ceiling
downwards, naturally, our reaction forces us close to the floor
where the air is cooler and the smoke less toxic and dense.
Inevitably building occupants, in often unfamiliar surroundings,
are faced with reduced visibility and poor directional guidance,
frequently leading to panic and disorientation. As a result,
people have been known to die tragically only a few metres from
exits which could have led them to safety. Independent research
has proven low mounted emergency lighting systems continue to
provide a highly visible line of light at, or close to floor
level, long after other lighting systems have been completely
obscured by smoke.
Low mounted emergency lighting systems clearly identify the
escape path and illuminate the escape route, thus improving
evacuation times, reducing panic and .ultimately saving lives.
Due to Health and Safety
legislation, all buildings in the commercial sector require an
emergency escape lighting installation which complies with the
relevant standards. Low mounted emergency lighting systems can
exceed these requirements, providing long term safety benefits
for the protection of the building occupants and the commercial
reputation of building owners. These systems are effective in
both smoke logged and clear air conditions and can be of major
life saving importance in the event of any emergency situation,
particularly when smoke may be present.
The Guide-LITE system may be
automatically energised when the Fire Alarm is activated,
providing a continuous visible delineation of aIl routes of
escape, which continues to operate for at least one hour
throughout even the most
aggressive stages of a fire. Serious fire situations may
necessitate the shutdown of all electrical supplies, whereby
Guide-LITE will provide the only source of illumination for safe
evacuation and increase fire fighters speed of access.
Research has proven that
good electrically powered low mounted emergency lighting systems
instill confidence in evacuees and improve evacuation times.
Several studies have indicated electrical low mounted way
guidance systems to be more effective than conventional overhead
escape route lighting, in both smoke logged and clear
conditions. Further research findings in the study of emergency
lighting in buildings, with particular awareness of the needs of
elderly and visually impaired people, showed the preference of
way guidance systems to conventional overhead emergency
lighting.
