Should emergency lights not always be on?

[Guest DavidBlack]

Hi, can you help?

I have some illuminated battery backed up exit signs (with running man). They are wired to come on with the normal lights, and do stay on on mains failure. I feel this is incorrect as they should be powered at all times (even if the bulb is normally off.

Could you please clarify for me?

David

[Safelincs]

Hi David

Maintained emergency lights are often available as 'switchable' units. This means that they can be switched on and off with a normal light switch. This is useful in areas where there is no requirement for constant lighting, e.g. stairwells in a high-rise block of flats, where the light is only required when somebody takes the stairs instead of the lift. The emergency lights will, of course, still come on in case of a power failure, even when the switch is in the ‘off’ position.

Harry

[Guest Mitch]

I have an emergency light that came on this morning and has not shut off. It has not been on previously unless power has been lost. Can someone please explain.

[Tom Sutton]

It looks like a fault if it is not a non maintained system.