Emergency Lighting, Exit Signs, and Relevant Standards: EN 60598, EN 50171, EN 1838

The safe operation of emergency lighting systems is ensured by three key European standards: EN 60598 defines the safety requirements for luminaires; EN 50171 governs the operation of central power supply systems; and EN 1838 specifies the required illumination levels in emergency situations. Compliance with these standards is essential for the safe evacuation of buildings during a power outage.

The Role of Emergency Lighting

Emergency lighting (also referred to as standby lighting or safety lighting) plays a critical role by providing illumination in buildings during a mains power failure, enabling the safe evacuation of occupants. When designing and installing these systems, strict compliance with relevant standards is essential. These standards not only ensure legal conformity and safety but also guarantee that emergency lighting systems meet technical and operational requirements.

Three key European standards are particularly worth highlighting: EN 60598, EN 50171, and EN 1838.

What is EN 60598?

EN 60598 is an international standard series for luminaires, specifying safety requirements for lighting fixtures. Particularly important is part EN 60598-2-22, which sets out specific requirements for emergency luminaires (TÜV Rheinland, 2023). This standard defines the electrical and mechanical safety requirements that emergency lighting luminaires must meet, such as protection against electric shock, overheating, and fire resistance (Villanyszerelők Lapja, 2005).

Using luminaires that comply with EN 60598 (emergency luminaires and exit signs) ensures that emergency lighting devices operate reliably and safely in the event of a power failure.

Why is EN 50171 Important?

EN 50171 applies to central power supply systems that provide energy to emergency lighting and other safety equipment during a mains failure. This standard specifies the technical requirements these systems must meet, including battery capacity, charging time, and supply duration (BSI Group, 2021). For example, it mandates that the central power supply system must be capable of powering connected safety devices including emergency lighting for at least 1 or 3 hours (Villanyszerelők Lapja, 2005).

Compliance with EN 50171 ensures that the emergency lighting system is always operational, which is essential for regulatory approval and overall building safety.

What is EN 1838?

EN 1838 (MSZ EN 1838) defines the illumination requirements for standby lighting systems. This core standard specifies the minimum light levels required in escape routes and other critical areas during an emergency (Villanyszerelők Lapja, 2005). For example, escape routes must provide at least 1 lux at floor level, while open areas require a minimum of 0.5 lux. Around safety equipment such as fire alarms and manual call points, the minimum required illumination is 5 lux.

Additionally, the standard requires emergency lighting to reach 50% of its rated illumination within 5 seconds of activation and full illumination within 60 seconds, maintaining this level for at least 1 hour (Villanyszerelők Lapja, 2005).

References

BSI Group (2021) ‘BS EN 50171:2021 – Central safety power supply systems’. https://shop.bsigroup.com/products/bs-en-50171-2021 (Accessed: 28 April 2025).
TÜV Rheinland (2023) ‘Testing of light sources, luminaires, and LEDs’. https://www.tuv.com/hungary/hu/vil%C3%A1g%C3%ADt%C3%A1stechnika.html (Accessed: 28 April 2025).
Villanyszerelők Lapja (2005) ‘A few words about emergency lighting II’. https://www.villanylap.hu/lapszamok/2005/december/380-nehany-szo-a-biztonsagi-vilagitasrol-ii (Accessed: 28 April 2025).

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