Does emergency lighting in communal escape routes have to be on all the time?

[Guest oliverwest]

Hi, We have 2 blocks of residential flats with lighting throughout. The amount of electricity wasted in communal access corridors and stairwells is enormous. I would like to arrange motion sensors with timers for the lights in the stairwells and communal corridors but am unsure of regulations. Please can you point me towrds the relevant regulation? Must there be some light on in communal escape routes permanently? If so, how much - what are the rules?

We have an emergency backup system throughout encase of power failure.

Many thanks for your help

[Tom Sutton]

You have the normal lighting circuits in the commons areas to enable persons using the the building to move about the building safety when the area is in darkness. I cannot see why they should not be operated by motion sensors but this is a health and safety matter. You may require under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 require emergency escape lighting and the guidance is Sleeping accommodation which should assist you in deciding if you require EEL. If you do need emergency escape lighting then non-maintained should be used which only illuminates in the case of a fire.