LIGHTING
emergency lighting system. The existing system required: n Physical manual testing – which was disruptive, time consuming, and expensive.
n Inefficient luminaires. n High fitting failure rates resulting in unacceptably high and unpredictable maintenance costs.
These issues are often referred to as the burden of compliance. The solution included: n A full transition to a wireless monitored emergency lighting system with lithium nanophosphate batteries.
n Integration with the facility’s central BMS via a secure MQTT API.
n Deployment of automated compliance testing, generating real-time reports.
n Implementation of LED fittings across all wards, corridors, and public areas.
Outcomes expected within the first year: n Maintenance costs reduced by 62 per cent. n Energy consumption dropped by 47 per cent, aligned with hospital sustainability targets.
n Compliance test pass rate improved from 84 per cent to greater than 99 per cent.
n Staff confidence increased, knowing systems were monitored and self-reporting.
The hospital was able to implement automatic emergency lighting testing and monitoring throughout the facility with near zero infrastructure required and utilising luminaires with 12+ year service life that will deliver maintenance free emergency and exiting for the life of the system. These results are in line with similar upgrade projects
in other health organisation and demonstrates that a well-planned upgrade can yield measurable operational, safety, sustainability, and financial benefits.
Conclusion The foundation of a future-proof healthcare facility lies in getting the fundamentals right, and emergency and exit lighting is one of those non-negotiable fundamentals. While often considered a ‘set-and-forget’ system, emerging technologies have made it possible to turn emergency lighting system into a strategic advantage. By embracing smart systems, long life batteries, and sustainable design, healthcare facilities can more easily achieve: n Regulatory and compliance standards. n Enhanced safety for patients and staff. n Improved resilience during emergencies. n Reduced operational costs and environmental impact. n Readiness for future regulatory and technological change.
In a world where the future is uncertain, lighting the way forward – literally and figuratively – starts with getting the basics right in emergency lighting.
Acknowledgement n This article originally appeared in the IHEA Healthcare Facilities Journal.
Emergency lighting systems should be integrated with centralised data platforms.
August 2026 Health Estate Journal 39
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