Emergency exit lights are used in buildings to help occupants find a safe way out during a fire or emergency situation. Exit signs and emergency lights put people at ease and keep things orderly during an evacuation. They also ensure your building is compliant with OSHA and LIFE SAFETY codes.

In order to remain up to code and avoid hefty fines, you must have emergency lights installed. If they burn out, it's up to you to schedule an inspection with a fire protection professional or replace the broken part yourself. In this blog, we will explain the main reasons your emergency exit lights could burn out and how to fix them if this occurs.

Why Your Emergency Exit Lights Burn Out

All of the emergency exit lights in your building should be illuminated 24/7. There are three components to every emergency exit sign that could cause it to burn out. Below we explain each of the three components and how they work.

Primary Bulbs

The primary, or main bulbs, are used to ensure the sign remains lit at all times. This is the first thing you should check if you're experiencing any issues with your sign.

Low-Voltage Bulbs

Low-voltage bulbs are used for sustained emergency light systems. They are the secondary lights that come on once the power goes out.

Reserve Battery

The reserve battery helps illuminate the low-voltage bulb once the power goes out. If you're experiencing issues with the low-voltage bulb then you should check the battery for issues.

How to Fix the Problem

There are two ways to fix your emergency exit sign if the light is no longer working. The best thing to do is to identify the broken component and replace it.

Replace the Broken Component

After you figure out which component caused the light to go out, you can replace that defective part. In order to do this, you should remove the front panel of the sign and find the bulb or battery that is causing the sign to malfunction. If you need help identifying the issue then you should call in a fire protection professional to inspect and fix the problem.

Replace the Sign

If you have an exit sign that uses incandescent bulbs then you will have to replace the bulbs more frequently. A great alternative would be to install an LED sign instead. These will consume less energy and save you more money over time.

Call a Fire Protection Professional

Frontier Fire offers the best in fire protection and inspection services. Give us a call today for any of your emergency exit light needs including inspections, repairs, replacements, and installations. Our team has over 50 years of fire protection experience and we're happy to help you make your workplace a safer and better place.