What is the purpose of Emergency Lighting?
The purpose of emergency lighting is to provide sufficient illumination to building exits, ensuring that everyone can safely and quickly evacuate during a fire or other emergency. When normal lighting fails, emergency lights activate to help maintain calm, prevent panic, and guide occupants in an orderly manner toward safety.
However, these benefits are only effective when the emergency lighting system is properly installed, bright enough to be clearly visible, and remains illuminated for the required duration.
At Complete Fire Protection, LLC, we specialize in designing and installing reliable emergency lighting systems that meet all health and safety standards throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Our expertise ensures that your system functions exactly as intended—when it matters most.
What types of Emergency lighting are there?
These typically include illuminated exit signs and emergency spotlights that provide visibility in hallways, stairwells, and other exit routes during a power failure. When planning your emergency lighting system, it’s important to understand the key components commonly used in most setups.
Non-maintained emergency lights activate only when the main power supply fails. They rely on built-in battery backups to operate during an outage.
Maintained emergency lights function as part of the building’s regular lighting system and remain on at all times, ensuring constant illumination even in emergencies.
Sustained emergency lights combine both approaches, using two separate lamps—one powered by the building’s electrical system for daily use, and another battery-powered lamp that automatically turns on during an outage.
Emergency lighting systems can also differ based on how they are powered:
Self-contained (stand-alone) battery systems feature individual batteries in each fixture. These are easy to install and expand but require regular testing of each light independently.
Central battery systems use a single battery bank to power all emergency lights in the facility. While this design simplifies maintenance and testing, it involves higher installation costs and requires a dedicated space for the battery and charging equipment.
Who designs and Installs the systems?
At Complete Fire Protection, LLC, we specialize in designing and installing fully compliant emergency lighting systems tailored to your facility’s specific needs. Our team ensures every detail meets code requirements and performance standards. With competitive pricing and expert installation, you can have confidence that your emergency lights will operate reliably in any emergency—providing safety, visibility, and peace of mind.
A well-designed emergency lighting system is essential for meeting all required health and safety regulations—and for protecting the people in your building when it matters most.
Emergency lighting plays a critical role in keeping occupants safe during power outages by illuminating corridors, stairwells, ramps, aisles, escalators, and exit pathways. Without proper maintenance, these systems can fail when needed most—causing confusion, panic, and unsafe conditions during an emergency.
At Complete Fire Protection, LLC, our expert team ensures your exit and emergency lighting systems are fully functional, compliant, and ready to perform at any moment. We’re dedicated to helping you maintain a safe, secure environment and a reliable fire protection plan across Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Regular inspection and maintenance of emergency lighting systems are not only smart safety practices—they’re also required by law under the NFPA 101: Life Safety Code. Failing to meet these standards can lead to compliance violations, potential fines, and most importantly, increased risk to your building’s occupants during an emergency.
According to NFPA 101, building owners must perform the following:
Monthly Testing: Conduct a functional test every 30 days for a minimum of 30 seconds to confirm proper operation.
Annual Testing: Perform a full 90-minute (1.5-hour) duration test each year to ensure all equipment remains operational throughout the test period.
Recordkeeping: Maintain written records of all inspections and test results for review by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Staying current with these inspections ensures that your facility remains compliant, your occupants stay safe, and your emergency systems perform as expected when the power goes out.
At Complete Fire Protection, LLC, our mission is to ensure your building is fully prepared for any emergency. We take pride in providing thorough, code-compliant inspections that help maintain the safety and reliability of your emergency lighting systems.
Our comprehensive inspection process includes:
Verifying proper installation and secure mounting of all emergency lighting units.
Confirming correct placement and quantity of lights based on occupancy requirements.
Performing load tests on batteries using electronic load simulators.
Checking charging voltage to ensure batteries receive proper power.
Inspecting bulbs for brightness, alignment, and reliable operation.
Testing the system using the built-in test switch to simulate a real power outage.
Some jurisdictions also require a 90-minute discharge test in accordance with NFPA standards, which we can perform upon request.
The professionals at Complete Fire Protection are available 24 hours a day to support your organization with expert fire protection services and prompt system maintenance.
During a fire or power outage, visibility can quickly become compromised—making it difficult for occupants to locate exits and evacuate safely. Reliable exit and emergency lighting is essential to guide staff and visitors toward safety in an orderly manner during any emergency situation.
If your facility’s emergency lighting system isn’t functioning properly, turn to the trusted professionals at Complete Fire Protection, LLC. We specialize in comprehensive troubleshooting and repair services for emergency exit lighting across Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
With over 20 years of experience serving the Mid-Atlantic region, our knowledgeable technicians deliver prompt, customer-focused service and dependable solutions to ensure your building remains safe, compliant, and fully prepared when emergencies occur.
Emergency exit lighting fixtures are designed to provide at least 90 minutes of illumination during a power outage, powered by long-lasting batteries and energy-efficient bulbs. While these systems are generally dependable, a number of issues can reduce their effectiveness over time.
Some of the most common problems identified during emergency lighting inspections and troubleshooting include:
Damaged or broken fixtures
Burnt-out or dim lightbulbs
Loose or faulty electrical connections
Damaged or exposed wiring
Malfunctioning charging circuits
Corroded battery terminals
Batteries that fail to charge or cannot maintain the required 90 minutes of illumination
If your exit or emergency lighting isn’t functioning correctly—or fails to stay illuminated as long as required—contact the experts at Complete Fire Protection, LLC. We provide comprehensive emergency lighting repair services throughout Maryland, Washington, DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Virginia including troubleshooting, wiring repair, and battery replacement to keep your system safe, compliant, and fully operational.
The safety of your employees, customers, and visitors depends on the reliability of your emergency and exit lighting systems. The most effective way to ensure these lights function properly in an emergency is through routine inspections and maintenance performed by qualified professionals—like the experienced team at Complete Fire Protection, LLC.
Regular maintenance provides several key benefits:
Equipment Protection: Proper upkeep extends the lifespan of fixtures, batteries, and bulbs, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Cost Savings: Preventative maintenance helps avoid costly repairs and premature equipment failures.
Safety: Well-maintained lighting ensures sufficient illumination for safe, efficient evacuation during power outages or emergencies.
Injury Prevention: Reliable lighting minimizes confusion, keeps occupants calm, and reduces the risk of slips, trips, and falls during evacuations.
Code Compliance: Routine inspections help ensure your facility meets all NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and local fire safety requirements.
With Complete Fire Protection, LLC, you can have confidence that your emergency and exit lighting systems are ready to perform when you need them most—keeping your building safe, compliant, and protected
While there are a few simple steps you can take to identify potential issues with your emergency lighting, most commercial emergency exit lighting troubleshooting should be handled by a trained professional—like the experts at Complete Fire Protection, LLC.
If your lights stop working, start by checking the circuit breaker to ensure the system has power. You can also verify that the bulbs are functional by temporarily turning off the breaker and inspecting them. If the battery isn’t holding a charge or fails to meet the required 90-minute illumination period, measure the battery voltage and clean any corroded terminals.
For all other emergency lighting problems, it’s best to rely on experienced professionals who have the proper tools, training, and expertise to diagnose and repair your system safely and efficiently.
When you need reliable, expert service, trust Complete Fire Protection, LLC. to get your system back in working order quickly. Our technicians bring decades of experience and industry knowledge to every job, completing over 20,000 fire safety services each year across more than 3,000 customer locations.
We’re committed to delivering top-quality results and responsive service, with 24/7 availability for emergency support throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Whether it’s troubleshooting, repairs, or preventative maintenance, we ensure your emergency exit lighting remains safe, compliant, and ready when you need it most.