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Emergency Lighting Requirements for Healthcare Facilities in Australia

Healthcare facilities (hospitals, aged care, clinics, etc.) have stringent emergency lighting requirements to ensure the safe evacuation of patients, staff, and visitors during emergencies. Compliance with Australian standards is critical for patient safety and regulatory adherence. Below is an overview of the requirements under Australian regulations.

1. Governing Standards & Regulations

Commercial emergency lighting must comply with:

  • National Construction Code (NCC) – Volume 1 (Building Code of Australia, BCA)
  • AS/NZS 2293.1:2018 – Emergency lighting & exit signs
  • AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules) – Electrical safety
  • AS 1319:1994 – Safety signs

Mandatory in:

  • Patient care areas(wards, operating theatres, ICUs)
  • Corridors, stairwells & exit paths( (all evacuation routes)
  • Emergency departments & triage zones ( (critical care areas)
  • Aged care & disability access routes ( (DDA compliance)
  • Pharmacy & medical gas storage areas( (hazardous zones)
  • Backup power supply rooms( (generator/electrical switch rooms)

A. Illumination Levels

Area
Minimum Lux
Duration

Escape routes

0.2 lux

90 minutes

Exit doors & stairwells

1 lux

90 minutes

Operating theatres & ICUs

Maintained lighting (no drop in illumination)

Generator-backed

B. Exit Signage

  • Black & green pictograms (AS 2293.1 compliant)
  • Mounted 2-2.7m high, unobstructed
  • Directional arrows where exits aren’t visible
  • Required at all final exits and stairwell entries
  • Patient evacuation routes: Clearly marked, anti-slip surfaces
  • Stretcher & wheelchair paths: Wider illumination coverage
  • Emergency department lighting: No flicker, maintained luminaires
  • Fire-isolated stairwells: Higher lux levels for safe patient transfer
Test
Action

6-Monthly

90-minute test as per AS 2293.2

Annually

90-minute test and additional testing as per AS 2293.2

Documentation

Logbook - Required for audits
  • Hospitals: Generator-backed lighting in ICUs, theatres & emergency departments
  • Aged Care: Low-glare lighting for elderly vision needs
  • Mental Health Facilities: Tamper-proof & ligature-resistant fittings
  • New builds: Full compliance required
  • Existing buildings: Gradual upgrades during renovations
  • Major refurbishments: Must meet current standards
  • Loss of healthcare accreditation
  • Legal liability for patient harm
  • Fines & legal liability under WHS laws.
  • Invalidated insurance in case of incidents.

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