The NBC (National Building Code) mandates the installation of emergency lights, photoluminescent signages and similar safety gear in ALL enclosed places in the country and yet, most premises even today remain non-compliant and hence, in perpetual violation of the law 24x7. It would be a welcome initiative for architects, builders, house owners and business houses to abide by the very basics of safety and exigency protocols in their premises from the construction stage itself.

The best source of light during a power outage could be any high-quality portable LED light source. LED flashlights use less energy than regular flashlights, which means longer battery life. They are also capable of being as bright as or brighter than other bulbs while retaining their efficiency. But, when it concerns a power outage in an enclosed space, particularly in a fire emergency or a similar life threatening one, it becomes a very different ball game altogether.

In the CORONA period and thereafter, a disturbing trend of fire accidents and deaths in hospitals, nursing homes and covid centres occurred across India and exposed the laxity in basic escape safety protocols in hospitals and nursing homes in both the public and private sectors.

Due to the crowding by covid patients, such centres were overcrowded and extra pressure came upon the power usage in all such facilities. Therefore, accidents and short circuits became a regular feature. Absence of basic essentials like emergency lights added to the woes of the patients, who were indisposed anyway, as well as the doctors and nursing staff who had to fight poor visibility during evacuation operations.