How can lighting design enhance the visibility and recognition of emergency exits and signs?

1 Why lighting matters for safety and security

Lighting can have a significant impact on how people perceive and react to their environment, especially in emergency situations. Lighting can help people to identify potential hazards, navigate safely, and locate exits and signs. Lighting can also influence the mood and behavior of people, creating a sense of calm or urgency, comfort or anxiety, trust or suspicion. Therefore, lighting design should consider the psychological and physiological effects of lighting on human perception and performance.

2 How to design lighting for emergency exits and signs

The main goal of lighting design for emergency exits and signs is to make them visible and recognizable. To achieve this, brightness, color, shape, size, and placement must be taken into consideration. The brightness should be sufficient to attract attention and consistent, while the color should be distinctive and match the meaning of the exit or sign. The shape should be simple and familiar, conforming to international standards and symbols. The size should be proportional to the distance and angle of view, as well as adequate for the scale of the space. Lastly, the placement should be strategic and logical, visible from multiple viewpoints and heights.

3 How to use lighting techniques for safety and security

In addition to designing the lighting for the exits and signs themselves, lighting designers can also use various techniques to enhance the safety and security of a space. Accent lighting, for example, can be used to highlight specific features and create contrast, focal points, and orientation cues. Task lighting can provide adequate illumination for activities and improve visibility, accuracy, and efficiency. Ambient lighting can create a comfortable and uniform level of light that affects the mood and atmosphere of the space. Lastly, emergency lighting is necessary to provide backup illumination in case of power failure or emergency situation. This type of lighting can ensure safety and continuity, allowing people to see, communicate, activate alarms or systems, and evacuate safely.

4 How to evaluate lighting design for safety and security

Lighting designers should evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of their design by using various methods and tools. Measurements can be taken to quantify physical properties and parameters of the lighting, such as luminance, illuminance, color temperature, or color rendering index. Simulations can also be used to visualize and predict the appearance and behavior of the lighting, like shadows, reflections, or glare. Finally, surveys are a great way to collect feedback and opinions from users and stakeholders of the lighting, allowing for assessment of satisfaction and perception of the design. Instruments like light meters, spectrometers, photometers, Dialux, Relux, Radiance, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups can all be used in this process.

5 How to learn more about lighting design for safety and security

If you want to learn more about lighting design for safety and security, there are numerous resources and opportunities available for you. For example, you can read books such as Lighting for Health and Safety by Peter Boyce, Lighting for Interior Design by Malcolm Innes, or Lighting Design Basics by Mark Karlen and James Benya. You can also take courses such as Lighting Design for Safety and Security by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), Lighting Design for Emergency Situations by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), or Lighting Design for Fire Safety by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). Additionally, you can participate in projects such as Lighting Design Awards by Lighting Magazine, Lighting Design Competition by Philips Lighting, or Lighting Design Challenge by Lutron Electronics.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?