Exterior Emergency Lighting

[nguyenvd1]

I am currently specifying an exterior wall mounted light fixture along an emergency exit path of a commercial bldg.

Which type of lighting is best for this application:
1) High Pressure Sodium
2) Metal Halide
3) Compact Fluorescent
3) Incadescent

I am not well versed in the pro's and con's of each light yet.

Thanks.

 

[davidbeach]

It depends, any of them could be. Lots of factors to consider.

 

[alehman]

Some factors to consider are: local code requirements. light level required, size of area to be illuminated, outdoor climate, emergency power source, cost.

If the areas are large, 1 or 2 are probably best but will require an lighting inverter. 3 and the 3b may be appropriate for smaller areas, will probably be simpler and less costly.

 

[VTer]

I would suggest that 2 or 3 would be your best choice. If you are only concerned with providing enough emergency egress lighting than I would suggest that compact fluorescent be your option, but if this is exterior of a building where security could be an issue too you might get more luminance to cover more area with the MH.It also depends what the required FC are along the path of egress that can decide ur lamp choice (might need less fixtures to provide same FCs with one vs the other). I am not sure about CRI values between them because they vary, but you can usually find all this stuff on the spec sheets including the light lumen output, light distribution, and typically they list intended uses for each fix type and lamp type. I advise you to spend your time comparing MH and CF only tho with possibly looking into LED technology depending on ur application(you will never used incan for EM lighting). BTW How do you need EM egress lighting on the outside of a building anyway?

"Throughout space there is energy. Is this energy static or kinetic! If static our hopes are in vain; if kinetic — and this we know it is, for certain — then it is a mere question of time when men will succeed in attaching their machinery to the very wheelwork of nature". – Nikola Tesla

 

[Sailor53]

There is an additional consideration when using metal halide for egress lighting. If there is a power failure, then the lamps will not restrike for 5-10 minutes and you will not have the required illumination. I normally specify an option which includes a small halogen lamp in the fixture which can provide light until the metal halide lamp can be restarted.

Steve