Emergency lighting is installed, first and foremost, to ensure that people can exit a building safely in the event of a power cut. When the power fails and it suddenly becomes dark the result can be confusion, disorientation and occasionally even anxiety. Emergency lighting allows people to safely shut down (dangerous) processes, to orientate themselves in their surroundings and to find their way to the nearest emergency exit. It helps prevent panic and it reduces safety risks.
We are often asked whether it is compulsory to install emergency lighting and where this is specified. There are various laws and standards that contain information about emergency lighting and you can find more information about this under
Standards. In addition to what the law and the standards specify, it is also common sense that emergency lighting contributes towards the safety of a building and is therefore essential for its use.
However, who is ultimately liable? According to current building legislation it is the owner who is liable for the safety within premises and thus for the emergency lighting system. However, the Dutch Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) specifically states that it is the user of the premises who is responsible. Because of this conflict in legislation it is therefore better to ask the question: Who takes responsibility? In that case, all parties will feel that they are being held to account.