LIGHTING
The latest systems consolidate information so that the facility manager can quickly view compliance status and system health. They also allow for enhanced functionality to provide further optimisation and enhancement of health facilities. Functions such as occupancy sensing and lighting control can be incorporated without the requirement for additional infrastructure.
B. Sustainable battery technology One of the most significant innovations in recent years is the introduction of lithium nanophosphate batteries. Compared to traditional battery types, this technology offers: n Extended life expectancy of 12+ years, more than double the lifespan of other lithium technologies.
n High thermal stability and improved safety under stress or exposure to heat.
Emergency lighting powered by nanophosphate batteries.
2. Manual testing and maintenance regimes Traditional testing methods involve physical inspections and test-switch testing of each luminaire every six months. This approach is: n Labour-intensive. n Subject to human error – it is impossible to be at every fittings at the conclusion of the 90 minute discharge test.
n Difficult to scale across large campuses. n Often results in delayed fault detection. n On older sites in particular, little or no baseline data to support an understanding of the asset profile and forward maintenance plan.
3. Limited integration with data platforms Emergency lighting systems have traditionally been isolated from other digital infrastructure. As hospitals adopt integrated BMS and centralised data platforms, having siloed systems hinders efficiency and visibility. Lack of real- time data makes it difficult to respond quickly or diagnose system issues remotely. Valuable emergency lighting asset information is not able to be matched with other building information required to optimise performance, manage risk and provide a proactive view of asset health.
4. Increasing awareness and accountability for environmental sustainability
Michael Goodman
As a building technology strategist with 25 years of industry experience, Michael works to make life easier for building owners and managers. Matching business drivers and objectives with procurement and technology solutions, he delivers innovation in the design, implementation, and management of building technology across industry sectors and asset portfolios.
Energy use in healthcare is under the microscope. Facility leaders are seeking energy-efficient technologies that align with environmental and ESG targets. Older emergency lighting systems typically consume more power and rely on environmentally unfriendly battery chemistries. Furthermore, as end of life disposal costs continue to increase, there is a growing requirement to not only appropriately dispose of end of life fittings but provide evidence that this has been done.
Innovations in emergency and exit lighting technology The future of emergency lighting lies in digitalisation, sustainability, and smarter design. Leading health facilities are transforming their systems in a number of ways:
A. Smart monitoring and system automation Smart emergency lighting systems utilise wireless communication protocols and centralised monitoring platforms to automate: n Compliance testing. n Fault diagnostics. n Maintenance scheduling. n Reporting and documentation. n Access to real time data: asset health, predictive maintenance, and dashboard summaries.
38 Health Estate Journal August 2026
n Lower total cost of ownership, through reduced maintenance and replacement cycles.
n Environmental benefits, as they do not contain heavy metals and have a lower disposal impact. n Fully recyclable at end of life.
These batteries provide peace of mind that the emergency luminaires will perform on loss of power, while dramatically reducing maintenance costs.
C. Sustainable and low-energy design Modern LED emergency luminaires are significantly more efficient than older technologies, consuming less energy and requiring fewer replacements. Manufacturing and quality advancements also mean that fittings also match the performance of the latest battery technology. When paired with lithium nanophosphate batteries and intelligent power control systems, the environmental footprint of emergency lighting is substantially reduced. Other sustainable opportunities continue to emerge.
Changes in emergency luminaire lens technology mean that, in some applications, half the number of fittings are required to achieve compliance simply by choosing the appropriate fitting – resulting in half the installation, energy, compliance, and end of life cost. End of life return-to-manufacturer schemes address disposal costs and the complexity of obtaining environment certificates. Also, some hospitals are combining emergency lighting upgrades with energy efficiency programs such as LED batten replacements as part of broader Net Zero strategies.
D. Design for modular scalability and upgrades Futureproofing means thinking long term. Systems should be: n Modular, so that new wings or departments can be integrated without overhauling the existing infrastructure.
n System support and updates, with firmware, software updates, and lifetime technical support delivered remotely.
n Future-ready, flexible, and scalable lifecycle management options so that there is no system end of life – just backwards compatible upgrade pathways.
n Protocol-flexible, using open communication standards to support interoperability with BMS, fire, and security systems.
Case study
Emergency lighting transformation in action A major hospital partnered with a leading Australian emergency lighting manufacturer to upgrade its outdated
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