More information about
Evacuation lighting on construction sites
This information sheet clarifies the requirements for emergency lighting and exit signage on
designated emergency evacuation routes on construction sites.
October 2012
Background
When evacuation lighting is required
Principal contractors have management and control of
construction sites and therefore have the primary obligation
to ensure lighting is sufficient for workers to safely
evacuate in emergencies and permit emergency or repair
personnel to access the site. Unlike finished buildings,
evacuation routes on construction sites often contain
construction materials, electrical switchboards, portable
equipment and other obstacles.
Site evacuation routes require evacuation lighting where:
On sites where natural lighting is insufficient, evacuation
lighting is normally provided by installing battery powered
emergency lighting and exit signs. AS/NZS3012 Electrical
installations on construction sites and demolition sites,
clause 2.7.3, sets out that a minimum light level of 20 lx be
provided for a minimum of one hour following the loss of
normal lighting.
This minimum level applies to the site’s designated
evacuation routes. Emergency lighting should also be
installed at or next to site switchboards to help restore
normal lighting after a fault occurs.
Note: the 20 lx is an average light reading and can be
determined using the advice given below.
Planning
Worker evacuation must be considered in the project’s
planning phase. The principal contractor should make
electrical contractors aware of the project’s evacuation
lighting requirements during the construction wiring tender
process. These requirements should take into account that
evacuation lighting may need to be relocated at various
construction phases.
Evacuation routes
As part of the site’s emergency response plan the principal
contractor should designate evacuation routes for the
various work areas. The routes should be regularly reviewed
over the life of the project to ensure they remain effective
as the site layout changes.
In multi-storey buildings any active stairway will be used by
personnel during an emergency, so each active stairway
should be treated as an evacuation route.
MIA044/01/09.12
•
work is outside full daylight hours (evacuation lighting
may need to be installed as the year progresses and
days shorten), or
• natural lighting does not maintain the minimum lighting
level being 20 lx (eg basements, internal passageways
or shading from near by buildings).
Note: If any work area, including under temporary support
structures (eg formwork decks), is not sufficiently lit by the
evacuation route lighting additional emergency lighting
should be installed to light the work area to allow safe exit.
Exit signs
Exits signs must not be positioned more than one metre
above or two metres in front of the exit. If the evacuation
route turns, or does not lead directly to an emergency exit,
then exit direction arrow signs that point towards the
emergency exit must be installed at each change of direction.
Exit signs, including exit directional arrow signs, should be
the internally illuminated battery back-up type so they are
visible through smoke. In specific circumstances, however,
clause 6.3 of AS/NZS 2293 Emergency escape lighting
and exit signs for buildings, states that externally illuminated
signs may be suitable. This is only in areas that have
appropriate means for automatically exhausting or excluding
smoke. Exposure to open air does not meet this requirement.
Externally illuminated signs, where permitted, must be
directly illuminated by an emergency light.
Reusing evacuation light fittings
Often, evacuation light fittings are reused from previous
sites or other temporary installations (eg from completed
lower floors of a multi-storey site). As the lamps and
batteries age, the drop in light output must be managed to
ensure minimum evacuation lighting levels are maintained.
Protecting evacuation lighting
Evacuation light fittings should be manufactured from
impact resistant material (eg polycarbonate) or be fitted
with mechanical protection (eg wire cages).
More information about Evacuation lighting on construction sites
Periodic testing of evacuation lighting
Evacuation lighting must be inspected and electrically
re-tested every 6 months, including a discharge test to
ensure evacuation lighting maintains the 20 lx lighting level
for at least one hour after the loss of normal lighting.
Records of testing should be kept on site or made available
for auditing.
Measuring the light level
Determination of the light level cannot be based on a single
measurement, but should be taken as an average over the
whole route or portion of the route being measured (eg a
passage way or stairwell). For consistency the following
method should be used to determine if the designated
evacuation route achieves the 20 lx lighting level. Readings
should be taken:
•
•
•
•
with a calibrated light meter held horizontally
at a height of one metre above the floor
one metre from the start of the route and at one metre
intervals along the route, and
where shadows are not cast onto the meter (see
suggested process below).
Add all the readings together and divide by the number of
readings taken to calculate the average light level. This
should not be less than 20 lx. Records of lighting levels
should be kept onsite for reference.
Examples
A: (25 + 18 + 15 + 12 + 16+ 22) divide by 6 readings =
average of 18.0 lx (Fail)
B: (30 + 22 + 18 + 5 +19 + 30) divide by 6 readings =
average of 20.7 lx (Pass)
More Information
Industry Standard - Electrical installations on construction
sites
AS/NZS3012 - Electrical installations - Construction and
demolition sites
WorkSafe Advisory Service
Toll-free 1800 136 089
Email info@worksafe.vic.gov.au
worksafe.vic.gov.au
1 metre
Reader stands facing the light meter in front of body
Stand to the side to
avoid blocking light
Directional
arrow
Emergency light
Exit sign
Emergency light
Emergency light
Position to take readings
Note: This guidance material has been prepared using the best information available to the Victorian WorkCover Authority and should be used for general use
only. Any information about legislative obligations or responsibilities included in this material is only applicable to the circumstances described in the
material. You should always check the legislation referred to in this material and make your own judgement about what action you may need to take to
ensure you have complied with the law. Accordingly, the Victorian WorkCover Authority cannot be held responsible and extends no warranties as to the
suitability of the information for your specific circumstances; or actions taken by third parties as a result of information contained in the guidance material.
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