EMERGENCY LIGHTS ARE LEGALLY NON-NEGOTIABLE IN ALL ENCLOSED SPACES

The best source of light during a power outage is 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. According to the American Red Cross, 80% of Americans don’t realize that home fires are the single most common disaster across the nation. The figure could be the same or even more for India.

In recent time, a disturbing trend of fire accidents and deaths in hospitals, nursing homes and covid centres occurred across India. Due to the crowding propelled by covid patients, such centres were overcrowded and extra pressure was there on the power usage and all the 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.

The NBC mandates the installation of emergency lights in ALL enclosed places and yet, most of these are not equipped and are in perpetual violation of the law and at critical risk 24x7.

In the New Year it would be welcome resolution to make for architects, builders, house owners and business houses to abide by the very basics of safety and exigency protocols in their premises.