LIGHTING
Zoneworks XT Hive testing system.
B. Sustainable battery technology One of the most significant innovations in recent years is the introduction of lithium nano phosphate batteries. Compared to traditional battery types, this technology offers: l Extended life expectancy of 12+ years, more than double the lifespan of other lithium technologies.
l High thermal stability and improved safety under stress or exposure to heat.
l Lower total cost of ownership, through reduced maintenance and replacement cycles.
l Environmental benefits, as they do not contain heavy metals and have a lower disposal impact.
l 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 Nano phosphate 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
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Engineering testing.
replacements as part of broader net-zero strategies.
D. Design for modular scalability and upgrades
Futureproofing means thinking long term. Systems should be: l Modular, so that new wings or departments can be integrated without overhauling the existing infrastructure.
l System support and updates, with firmware, software updates and lifetime technical support delivered remotely.
l Future-ready, flexible and scalable lifecycle management options so that there is no system end of life – just backwards compatible upgrade pathways.
l 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 emergency lighting system. The existing system required: l Physical manual testing – which was disruptive, time consuming and expensive.
l Inefficient luminaires. l 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: l A full transition to a wireless monitored emergency lighting system with Lithium Nano phosphate batteries.
l Integration with the facility’s central BMS via a secure MQTT API.
l Deployment of automated compliance testing, generating real-time reports.
l Implementation of LED fittings across all wards, corridors, and public areas.
Outcomes expected within the first year:
l Maintenance costs reduced by 62 per cent.
l Energy consumption dropped by 47 per cent, aligned with hospital sustainability targets.
l Compliance test pass rate improved from 84 per cent to greater than 99 per cent.
l 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: l More easily achieve regulatory and compliance standards.
l Enhanced safety for patients and staff. l Improved resilience during emergencies.
l Reduced operational costs and environmental impact.
l 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.
IFHE IFHE DIGEST 2026
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