The answer in two lines
A non-maintained emergency light switches on only when the mains fails; a maintained one can stay lit all the time, and EXIT signs are usually maintained. Battery duration is written as 1 h or 3 h; the duration your building needs is set by local civil defense requirements and a qualified engineer, not by looks or price.
"Should I fit a plain emergency light or an EXIT sign, and is one hour enough or do I need three?" Anyone fitting out a shop or building asks this. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials supplier in Cairo and Giza, we explain the types, compare them in a table, list the usual install positions and the most common mistakes. Every figure has a named source at the end, and final design and installation belong to a qualified electrician or engineer.
What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained?
According to Schneider Electric's Electrical Installation Guide, a non-maintained luminaire lights only when normal lighting fails, runs on its battery during the failure, and recharges automatically when mains returns. A maintained luminaire can be lit continuously, is connected to the mains, and runs on battery during a failure; it can be switched off when the area is empty. Lighting Europe's guide says exit signs are usually maintained, because evacuation may be needed while mains is present.
| Comparison | Non-maintained | Maintained |
|---|---|---|
| When does it light? | Only when mains fails | All the time, and during a failure |
| Suited to | Corridor and stair luminaires that do not need constant light | EXIT signs and places needing a permanent visible marker |
| Battery duration | 1 h or 3 h depending on the model | 1 h or 3 h depending on the model |
| Schneider example | Exiway Easyled 3 h non-maintained | Exiway Easysign (listed as maintained and non-maintained) |
Sources: Schneider Electric Installation Guide, Lighting Europe Emergency Lighting Guide, and Schneider eShop model pages.
1 hour or 3 hours: which should you choose?
Schneider's guide says emergency lighting duration is "generally" 1 hour and that some countries set different durations in their technical standards. Lighting Europe's guide gives 1 hour for escape routes and open areas and mentions rated autonomy of 1 h or 3 h for duration tests. So 3 hours gives a longer margin, but the duration required for your building depends on its type and on civil defense requirements, and a qualified engineer should confirm it.
- ✔ If the engineer or civil defense set a duration, buy a model rated for that duration or more.
- ✔ With no specific requirement, 3 hours is a wider margin for a large building or slow evacuation, but ask an engineer.
- ⚠ Do not assume the duration in a product catalog is the one your building needs.
Exit sign or corridor emergency light?
They do different jobs: an EXIT sign shows people where and which way the exit is, while an emergency luminaire lights the floor, corridor and stairs so people can walk safely. A route usually needs both. Schneider's guide stresses that escape route lighting and safety signs are two separate things.
| Comparison | EXIT sign | Corridor emergency luminaire |
|---|---|---|
| Job | Shows the exit location and direction | Lights the route and floor |
| Example at Tawredaat | Exiway Easysign | Exiway Easyled |
| Specs (Schneider) | 24 m viewing distance, 3 h, IP40 | Non-maintained, 3 h |
| Installed where? | Above exits and along the route | Corridors, stairs and direction changes |
Sources: Schneider eShop listing titles for Exiway Easysign OVA38251 and Exiway Easyled OVA38353; Glamox and Lighting Europe for positions.
Where should you install emergency lights and exit signs?
The European standard EN 1838 (emergency lighting) is the reference these guides build on. According to Glamox's guide quoting EN 1838, emergency lighting is needed:
- ✔ Near each exit door intended for emergency use.
- ✔ Near stairs, so each flight receives direct light.
- ✔ At any change of level, at each change of direction and at corridor intersections.
- ✔ Near the final exit and outside the building leading to a safe place.
- ✔ Near firefighting equipment, alarm call points and first aid posts.
In the same source "near" is normally taken as within 2 m horizontally. Lighting Europe states at least 1 lux on the escape route. An EXIT sign should be visible from any point along the corridor, and sign spacing should not exceed the sign's visibility range (Glamox).
What do these standards cover?
- EN 1838: requirements for emergency lighting, covering escape routes, open areas and safety signs (Lighting Europe).
- EN 60598-2-22 (the European version of IEC 60598-2-22): particular requirements for luminaires for emergency lighting (Lighting Europe, Schneider).
- EN 50172: periodic inspection and testing of emergency lighting systems (Lighting Europe).
These are general principles, not Egyptian requirements. We could not verify any Egyptian code article or distance from a public source, so check the local civil defense requirements with a qualified engineer before fixing quantities and positions.
Common emergency lighting mistakes
- ⚠ No periodic battery testing. Lighting Europe (citing EN 50172) recommends a monthly functional test simulating a mains failure for at least 1 minute per luminaire, and an annual full-duration test.
- ⚠ Covered EXIT sign behind decoration or stock; it should be visible from any point on the route.
- ⚠ Luminaire far from the exit. "Near" means within 2 m per the source above.
- ⚠ Using a small module as a guide light instead of an approved route luminaire without asking an engineer.
- ⚠ Installing or wiring without a qualified electrician or engineer.
- ✔ Log the date of every test and service, as Lighting Europe recommends.
Emergency lighting available on Tawredaat
Available now from Schneider Electric: Exiway Easyled (non-maintained emergency luminaire, 3 h) and Exiway Easysign (exit sign, 24 m viewing distance, 3 h, IP40, listed as maintained and non-maintained by Schneider).
We also stock the Schneider Unica Emergency Light (NU3776): a small module with a green LED block that fits Unica frames (about 45 × 45 mm). Per Schneider it gives 45 lux at 25 cm, charges in 24 h, has a non-replaceable integrated battery and complies with EN 60598-2-22. Schneider's page does not state its autonomy, so treat it as a small guide light near a door or stair, not as a substitute for a route emergency luminaire unless your engineer confirms it.
See more in the lighting collection, and for panel calculations see our apartment breaker guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained?
Non-maintained lights only when normal lighting fails; maintained can stay lit all the time (Schneider Installation Guide). EXIT signs are usually maintained (Lighting Europe).
1 hour or 3 hours?
1 hour is the usual duration for routes; 3 hours is a longer margin. The required duration comes from civil defense requirements and a qualified engineer.
Does an EXIT sign replace an emergency light?
No. The sign shows the exit; the luminaire lights the route. They are two separate things (Schneider).
Where do I install them?
Near (within 2 m per Glamox citing EN 1838) exit doors, stairs, changes of direction and level, corridor intersections and the final exit.
How often should I test the battery?
Lighting Europe (citing EN 50172) recommends a monthly test of at least 1 minute per luminaire and a full-duration annual test.
Can I install it myself?
No. Final design and installation must be done by a qualified electrician or engineer.
Ready to choose your emergency lighting?
Browse the Exiway units in stock and the lighting collection. Delivery in Cairo and Giza only.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
ملخص بالعربي: لمبة الطوارئ Non-maintained بتنور لما الكهربا تقطع بس، والـ Maintained منورة طول الوقت ولوحات EXIT غالباً Maintained. المدة بتتكتب ساعة أو 3 ساعات، والمطلوب لمبناك يحدده الدفاع المدني ومهندس مؤهل. ركّب قريب من المخارج والسلالم وتغيير الاتجاه واختبر البطارية شهرياً. المتاح: Exiway Easyled وExiway Easysign وUnica Emergency Light.
