Emergancy lighting

[Montyx5]

I have been thinking of adding some type of emergency exit lighting to my shop area. Looking for input on what are the better options for this type of lighting, mainly battery type. What should I be looking for in the specs?

 

[kd3pc]

unless your shop is totally dark....I would not spend $$ on it.

That being said the units that mount above the exit doors are reasonable price and last a decent amount of time to get you to that exit, in the case of an emergency.

Again unless your shop is huge, one only need a few minutes to shut down things, and make a graceful exit. 120 volt with a nice spread of light.

 

[Platonic Solid]

If you have 4ft fluorescent fixtures you can modify one to add a battery backup ballast.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I installed 15 of these in a warehouse >10 yrs ago, and they still test 'good' every 3 months. (even though they have a 5 year warranty)

http://www.e-conolight.com/standard-led-emergency-light-with-two-adjustable-heads.html

 

[cybrdyke]

I have been thinking of adding some type of emergency exit lighting to my shop area. Looking for input on what are the better options for this type of lighting, mainly battery type. What should I be looking for in the specs?

All the name brand emergency lights are made by one manufacturer, so you dont really need to shop around looking for one product that is better than another. Just pick a style that suits your needs and find a good price.
Good luck,
CD

 

[malibu101]

Battery powered emergency lights (and/or exit signs) are very simple machines.

When AC is available, the battery is on a charger.
When AC disappears, a contact changes and the lights come on.

The question that I can't answer is- What manufacturer has the best battery charger with the best battery for longest battery life?

Not relevant to the OP's needs, but, emergency lights only need to last for 90 minutes per NFPA. They're not designed for "long" use. Just to provide enough time for anyone in the space to find their way out of the building.

 

[ford33]

Good idea to have emergency lighting even if you have windows. Often, the day turns to night.

 

[6768rogues]

I was in the shop one time when the power went out. It was a long way to the door in total darkness. I put a home center two bulb battery emergency light over the walk in door. I tested it on a dark night and some light is a lot better than none. Codes typically call for at least one footcandle one foot from the floor where emergency lighting is required, which is not much light.
About $30 to $40 at Lowe’s or Amazon. Throw it out when it dies and get a new one. They last for years.

 

[Montyx5]

Thanks for the replies.
I am aware of there purpose and operation. Having done a quick search on them I notice that there are a few different battery types and was uncertain if one would be better then the other or a type to avoid. I envision a scenario of working in the back of the shop on a dark night when the power drops. While I normally keep a clean shop, there are times when I am in the middle of a couple projects that things can get set around creating a hazardous situation in the dark. The additional light would be helpful should I need to manually close overhead doors, shut down electrical equipment or what ever else might need attention before exiting during a power outage. My thought is to install one near each of my two exit points.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Thanks for the replies.
I am aware of there purpose and operation. Having done a quick search on them I notice that there are a few different battery types and was uncertain if one would be better then the other or a type to avoid. I envision a scenario of working in the back of the shop on a dark night when the power drops. While I normally keep a clean shop, there are times when I am in the middle of a couple projects that things can get set around creating a hazardous situation in the dark. The additional light would be helpful should I need to manually close overhead doors, shut down electrical equipment or what ever else might need attention before exiting during a power outage. My thought is to install one near each of my two exit points.

Some cities (like Chicago) write codes so obsolete tech is needed. Modern stuff looks like this. Relatively inexpensive because LED is so efficient.

 

[Mr. T]

Not really a comment about which ones to buy but it’s advisable to wire it to the same circuit your lights are actually powered from. That way if just that breaker trips, for whatever reason, you still have the benefit of the emergency lighting.

 

[dfiler2]

I have a couple of these plugged in, they come on if the power goes out, they work really well. I put them in after the power went out one night, there are no windows in my shop and it got really dark.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z90U8Q2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Aaron_W]

I bought a rechargeable LED lantern that features an emergency setting. You just plug it in to charge and if the switch is set to emergency mode, then the light automatically comes on if the power goes out. Cost about $30 and happens to be a nice compact lantern if I need a flashlight.

Simple installation, just need a place to set it and plug it in.

The one I bought has been discontinued but this is the same brand, comes as a two pack.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gama-So...ergency-Lantern-Set-of-2-DLG2-972LS/205664360

 

[Bodaway]

I installed 15 of these in a warehouse >10 yrs ago, and they still test 'good' every 3 months. (even though they have a 5 year warranty)

http://www.e-conolight.com/standard-led-emergency-light-with-two-adjustable-heads.html

For the folks that have this style of light. How do you mount them to the wall?

I have a shop with no windows and when the lights are out it's totally dark and you need some type of lighting to find your way to the doors.

These lights just have a back panel that snaps off, do you just drill through it?
thanks,
John

 

[jonshonda]

Florescent ballasts/LED Drivers will come with an EM option, which is a battery backup.

 

[rockwithjason]

maintenance is the issue here. to get a real idea of the state of the battery you need to turn off the feeding circuit and see how long they actually burn. ideally you would do this twice a hear in conjunction with monthly button tests. the button test really doesn't tell you very much about how long the light would last.

 

[Oldbear]

I have a LED exit light above my man door. It has a battery backup. And it was only $18 CDN delivered to my local post office. When we tested the circuits it was enough green light to let us see where the door was and any objects in the way.

I've been ripping a full sheet of plywood on sawhorses with my circular saw when all the power went out... kind of the same as waving meat near my dog - you might be OK, you might lose a finger...

The LED emergency lights have come so far down in price over the past few years that it only makes sense to add them into a build. I'll be getting another for my old shop too. Each shop only has one small window (hard to see in) and, as was so brilliantly pointed out by ford33, the bright daylight often turns into dark at night - so these shops are very dark with no power.