EMERGENCY AND EXIT
LIGHTING
Single point systems
January 2016
Introduction
The purpose of this document is to assist the electrical industry to understand the specific
requirements for the installation and maintenance of emergency escape lighting and illuminated
emergency exit signage for buildings using AS 2293.1 – Emergency escape lighting and exit signs for
building.
The standard’s objective is to provide a safeguard for occupants from injury, in an emergency by:
(a) having adequate lighting; and
(b) having adequate identification of exits and paths of travel to exits.
Application
AS 2293.1 is mandated as a normative reference (requirement) in AS/NZS 3000:2007+A2, Wiring
Rules.
In Victoria AS/NZS 3000 as published is mandated through regulation 106 of the Electricity Safety
(Installations) Regulations 2009 as the minimum requirement for electrical installation work.
AS 2293.1 Part 1 specifies the requirements for the system design, installation and operation for both
central and single point systems and must be applied along with the requirements of the National
Construction Code (Building Code of Australia) for the:
(a) level of illumination for safe evacuation;
(b) identification of exits and paths of travel to exits; and
(c) performance requirements and verification methods.
AS 2293.2 Part 2 specifies the inspection and maintenance requirements.
AS 2293.3 Part 3 specifies the construction compliance of the emergency escape luminaires and exit
signs.
Background
In the past centrally supplied emergency systems were common, since the nineties single-point
emergency lighting systems have progressively been installed. Before 2012, emergency lighting was
only a Building Code of Australia requirement, however since the publication of Amendment 2 of
AS/NZS 3000:2007, AS 2293.1 became normative. Single point emergency systems can be installed
with three test facilities:
 Manually operated test facility – the minimum requirement
 Automated fully self-contained test facility
 Automated fully centralised test facility
Installation requirements
The intent is to provide lighting when the loss of the general lighting occurs which will allow a person
to vacate a section or the whole building. The design of the emergency lighting system is dependent
on the buildings usage, size, and normal lighting design and could vary with the construction of walls
and partitions. It is imperative that emergency lighting coordinates with the general lighting in that
area.
Latest version: January 2016 – Revision date: January 2017
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Emergency and exit lighting systems
Single point system with manually operated test facilities
Minimum requirements shall include
Test facility shall be key operated
Clause reference
4.3.1 (c) of AS 2293.1
Test switch shall be capable of manual reset. But shall
automatically revert to the normal state at the conclusion of the
discharge test
4.3.1 (b) of AS 2293.1
Discharge test shall not disconnect supply to the normal lighting
Failure of normal supply to any phase or final sub-circuit shall
cause each self-contained emergency luminaire to be automatically
connected to its emergency source
Labelling of circuit-breakers, switches, fuses stating – “Warning:
Interrupting supply will discharge emergency lighting batteries”
Upon failure of the electrical supply to the normal lighting in an
area, irrespective of whether or not it is illuminated, each relevant
emergency escape luminaire and exit sign shall be energized from
its emergency supply
Labelling of test facility – “Emergency escape lighting and exit test
switch”
Single point system with automatically operated test facilities
Fully self-contained system minimum requirements shall include
Provision shall be made on an automatic testing facility for any
operator to undertake a discharge test at any time
Test switch shall be capable of manually reset. But shall
automatically revert to the normal state at the conclusion of the
discharge test
4.3 of AS 2293.1
2.3.3.2 of AS 2293.1
2.4 of AS 2293.1
2.3.1 of AS 2293.1
4.3.1 (d) of AS 2293.1
Clause reference
4.3.2.1 of AS 2293.1
4.3.1 (b) of AS 2293.1
Discharge test shall not disconnect supply to the normal lighting
Failure of normal supply to any phase or final sub-circuit shall
cause each self-contained emergency luminaire to be automatically
connected to its emergency source
Labelling of circuit-breakers, switches & fuses – “Warning:
Interrupting supply will discharge emergency lighting batteries”
4.3 of AS 2293.1
2.3.3.2 of AS 2293.1
2.4 of AS 2293.1
Upon failure of the electrical supply to the normal lighting in an
area, irrespective of whether or not it is illuminated, each relevant
emergency escape luminaire and exit sign shall be energized from
its emergency supply
2.3.1 of AS 2293.1
Labelling of test facility – “Emergency escape lighting and exit test
switch”
4.3.1 (d) of AS 2293.1
The system used to time the interval between successive discharge
tests shall not be affected when normal supply is interrupted
Single point system with centrally operated test facilities
Centralised test system minimum requirements shall include
The relevant requirements for self-contained automatic discharge
testing facilities in section 4 of AS 2293.3 shall apply, in addition to
the following:
4.3.2.1 of AS 2293.1
Clause reference
4.3.2.3 of AS 2293.1
Each luminaire shall be easily identified on the central controller
4.3.2.3(a) of AS 2293.1
Each luminaire shall be monitored during the test and indications
shall be available from the central monitor or designated monitoring
points
4.3.2.3(b) of AS 2293.1
Luminaires are tested at intervals as specified in AS 2293.2
4.3.2.3(c) of AS 2293.1
The communication system is fit for purpose and reliable and
provides an indication at the controller of a communication failure
4.3.2.3(d) of AS 2293.1
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Emergency and exit lighting systems
Maintenance requirements
Emergency evacuation lighting systems shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with the
relevant procedures specified in AS 2293.2. The inspection and maintenance procedures shall be
carried out only by persons having the correct competency level suitable for the work.
Reference Clause 1.4.1of AS 2293.1
Initial test
A discharge test at least 16 hours after commissioning is required.
The battery discharge test time shall be not less than 1.33 times the minimum time (2 hours).
Reference Clauses 2.2.1 of AS 2293.1
In service test
Battery discharge test requires illumination for at least 90 minutes except where applicable by local
laws.
Reference Clauses 2.2.2 of AS 2293.1
Alterations and additions
Any alterations or additions to an existing emergency lighting installation shall be carried out in
accordance with AS 2293.1.
Where an addition or alteration to an existing installation will impair the operation of the existing
installation, the relevant portion of that installation shall be brought into compliance with AS 2293.1.
Reference Clause 1.7 of AS 2293.1
Any alteration to an existing system that will impair the operation of the system will require the system
to be upgraded to AS 2293.1.
Reference Clauses 4.3.1 (c) of AS 2293.1
Any repair to the system will require the system to be upgraded to AS 2293.1.
Reference Clauses 4.3.1 (c) of AS 2293.1
Test switch arrangement
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Emergency and exit lighting systems
Commonly asked questions
Question
What is the difference between a centrally supplied (emergency lighting) and a singlepoint (emergency lighting) system?
Answer
A centrally supplied (emergency lighting) system is emergency lighting in which a number
of emergency luminaires, or exit signs, or both are supplied from a common power
source (battery bank). Within a building there may be more than one power source, each
of which supplies the emergency luminaires and exit signs in a particular section of the
building.
Single-point (Emergency lighting system) system of emergency lighting employing only
self-contained type emergency luminaires and the controls necessary for sensing failure
of the normal supply and for changing over to the emergency supply, and vice versa.
Question
What do I need to do if I replace an emergency or exit light fitting?
Answer
If you replace a fitting with the same type in the same location and same wattage; you
only need to change the fitting.
If you replace a fitting with an LED type – This is an alteration and you must comply with
clause 1.7 of AS 2293.1 (install test switches).
Question
Do I need to be an electrician to replace a battery in an emergency luminaire?
Answer
Yes, if covers have to be removed exposing live parts, otherwise no.
Question
Do I need to be an electrician to replace an emergency luminaire that is connected via a
plug and socket?
Answer
No.
Question
Do I need to be an electrician to repair emergency luminaires that are connected via a
plug and socket while I am on site?
Answer
Yes, the repair or mantainace of electrical equipment on site is electrical installation work
and requires the issue of a certificate of electrical safety for components above extra low
voltage.
Question
Is the discharge test facility switch located on the emergency light fitting?
Answer
No, The discharge test facility switch is remote from the emergency luminaires and
simulates the loss of supply to one or more normal lighting circuits for the purposes of
testing.
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