Emergency and exit lighting is not a nice-to-have. It is a life-safety system that must perform when mains power fails. In Australia, the benchmark is the AS/NZS 2293 series, which the National Construction Code (NCC) references for design and installation. That linkage makes compliance both a legal duty and a practical way to protect people.
What AS/NZS 2293 covers
The standard comes in three parts. Part 1 sets design, installation and operation rules. Part 2 sets routine service and maintenance. Part 3 sets the product performance requirements for emergency luminaires and exit signs. Know which part you are applying at each step.
Two ideas underpin Part 1. You can design by spacing rules using the product’s emergency classification, or by illuminance calculations. Both paths aim to deliver safe light levels on the floor along escape routes. Many projects use spacing tables because they are pre-validated and simple to apply.
Part 3 requires exit signs to state their maximum viewing distance on the face. You will often see 24 m or 40 m ratings. Do not exceed those distances in the layout.
The quick compliance checklist
Use this list from briefing to handover and through ongoing service.
1) Confirm where lighting is required
Check NCC triggers for emergency lighting in large floor plates, long travel distances, and vertical rises. These rules drive where you must provide compliant illumination. Measure along the shortest path of travel.
2) Select compliant fittings and signs
Choose products tested to AS/NZS 2293.3. Review datasheets for emergency classification and the printed viewing distance on exit signs. Prefer reputable suppliers that show local conformity.
3) Mount exit signs at the right height
AS/NZS 2293.1 specifies mounting between 2.0 m and 2.7 m above floor level, or immediately above the doorway if the doorway is higher. Keep a clear line of sight to the sign.
4) Lay out luminaires and verify light levels
Either follow spacing tables based on classification and mounting height, or run lighting calculations. Pay special attention to stairs, changes in direction, and intersections. Typical design targets referenced by industry guidance include higher levels on stairwells.
5) Provide power and control features
Part 1 allows central-battery, single-point, or self-contained systems. Self-contained units must include a test switch and a battery isolation facility to enable safe servicing. Check these features during commissioning.
6) Commission and document
Record the installed locations, classifications, and viewing distances. Verify the system operates on loss of supply. Create or update the site logbook to capture commissioning data and any defects noted. Many jurisdictions expect robust records and can audit them.
7) Service on time, every time
AS/NZS 2293.2 sets routine service. The headline requirement is a six-monthly 90-minute discharge test for all emergency and exit lights, performed by a competent person and recorded in the logbook. Annual tasks build on this with full inspections.
Suggested logbook snapshot
| Task | Standard reference | Minimum interval | Record to keep |
| Functional test and 90-minute discharge | AS/NZS 2293.2 | 6 months | Pass/fail, repairs, date, tester |
| Visual inspection and cleaning | AS/NZS 2293.2 | 12 months | Condition, obstructions, date |
| Replacement of failed batteries or lamps | AS/NZS 2293.2 | As needed | Parts, locations, date |
| Update of as-installed drawings | Part 1 good practice | When changed | Rev control with date |
Common pitfalls that cause non-compliance
Overstated viewing distances. A 24 m sign serves up to 24 metres, not “as far as you can see”. Larger spaces may need 40 m signs or more signs. Check the printed rating.
Incorrect mounting. Signs hung below 2 m or too high above 2.7 m can fail inspection. Align with door heads where required.
Blocked or ambiguous signage. Decorations, banners, shelving, or roller shutters can block sightlines. Keep signs visible from all points along the egress path.
Weak record keeping. Inspectors often ask for historical test data. Many organisations keep emergency-lighting records for up to seven years to satisfy local audit needs. Digital copies are acceptable when allowed.
Missed test features. Self-contained units need an accessible test facility and battery isolation. Confirm during procurement, not after installation.
Practical buying and upkeep tips
Match the product to the space. Warehouses and large retail halls often justify 40 m viewing distance signs, while small offices usually suit 24 m units. Check that the arrow set covers your routes. Product pages and labels will state the viewing distance clearly.
Choose reputable supply channels so specification data, compliance certificates, and spare pictograms are easy to obtain. This matters whether you buy direct, through a contractor, or via exit light wholesale or emergency light wholesale listings.
Standardise on battery chemistry and form factor across a site where possible. It simplifies maintenance scheduling and stocking. Many modern products use LiFePO4 packs with good cycle life, which supports the six-monthly discharge regime.
For exit signs, confirm that the face complies with the AS/NZS 2293.3 design, including the running-man symbol, colour, and the printed viewing distance. Keep spare decals for direction changes. This check is just as relevant when sourcing emergency light exit sign wholesale packs as it is for project-by-project purchases.
All in all, If you remember only three things, make them these. Design to AS/NZS 2293.1 using spacing rules or calculations. Install products that state their classification and viewing distance, mounted between 2.0 m and 2.7 m. Test every six months for 90 minutes and record everything. Those steps align with the standard, the NCC, and good safety practice.
