How to Turn Off Emergency Lights in Building

Are you in charge of turning off the emergency lights in a building? Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as it might seem! Here are some steps you can take to turn off emergency lights in a building safely.

When it comes to emergency situations, having working emergency lights in your building is essential. Not only do they help guide people safely out of the premises during an evacuation, but equipped with energy-efficient LED bulbs and long burn time, these lights can ensure you have maximum adequate levels of illumination even when a power outage strikes. 

How to Turn Off Emergency Lights in Building

But although these emergency lights are incredibly important for keeping visitors safe in an urgent situation, knowing how to turn them off can prove daunting if you’re not familiar with their operations.

In this blog post, we’ll show you exactly how to turn off emergency lights in building!

When Should You Turn Off Emergency Lights?

The first step of turning off emergency lights in the building is to know when you should do it. Generally, emergency lights should only be turned off when they are no longer necessary. This could be in the event of a power outage or after an emergency has been resolved.

Additionally, emergency lights should be turned off when the building is being serviced or maintained to avoid any fire risk from a faulty wiring system.

If you are unsure when to turn off the emergency lights in the building, consult your local fire safety authority or building inspector.

What Will You Need?

Before you can turn off emergency lights in the building, there are a few items you will need to have on hand. These include:

  1. A ladder or other access equipment if the lights are located high up
  2. Protective gear (e.g., gloves and goggles) for your own safety
  3. An appropriate toolset (e.g., screwdrivers and pliers)
  4. Shut off the tool or switch

Once you’ve gathered the items above, it’s time to start turning off the emergency lights in the building. Here are the steps to follow.

10 Easy Steps on How to Turn Off Emergency Lights in Building

Step 1. Locate the Switch:

Locate the Switch That Controls the Lights

Locate the switch that controls the lights. Depending on your building’s setup, this may be located near each light fixture, or you may need to look for a main control panel that will have all of the switches for the emergency lights in one place. If you’re having trouble finding it, contact a qualified electrician for help.

Step 2. Make Sure the Lights are Off:

Once you have located the switch, make sure that all of the emergency lights in the building have been switched off. This can be done by double-checking each individual light fixture or using an appropriate shutoff tool. Additionally, test each light to make sure it’s off by pressing the test button.

Step 3. Disconnect the Power:

It is important to disconnect the power before turning off emergency lights in the building. This can be done by unplugging the main power cord from the wall outlet or using a circuit breaker switch. If you notice any sparks or smells, turn off all power to the building and contact a qualified electrician.

Always Make Sure to Check the Battery Power

Step 4. Turn Off the Switch:

When you are ready, turn off the switch that controls the emergency lights by flipping it to the “off” position. Make sure it is firmly in place, then test each light again to make sure they are all off. Don’t forget to secure the switch in a locked position if necessary.

Step 5. Replace the Switch Cover:

Once you have successfully turned off the emergency lights in the building, replace the switch cover so that no one can accidentally turn them back on again. If necessary, also secure this cover with screws or tape. Don’t forget to discard these items in an appropriate manner.

Step 6. Clean Up Any Debris:

If there was any debris left behind from turning off the emergency lights, clean it up using a vacuum cleaner or damp cloth. This will help keep your building safe and prevent any potential fire hazards. You can also consider replacing any light fixtures that may be damaged.

Step 7. Test Again:

Before you finish, it’s important to test the emergency lights again to make sure they are all off. This can be done by pressing the test button or flipping the switch on and off. If any of the lights are still on, turn them off with an appropriate tool and contact a qualified electrician for help.

Disconnect the Power Before Turning Off Emergency Lights

Step 8. Make Sure Everything is Secure:

Make sure that all screws, bolts, wires, and covers are securely in place after turning off the emergency lights. If necessary, use locking pliers or double-check all connections before you leave. Avoid using adhesive products on the light fixtures, as these can be difficult to remove.

Step 9. Notify Others:

Once you have finished turning off the emergency lights in the building, notify everyone who needs to know about it – from building staff members to fire safety authorities. This will help ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in getting the lights back on when they’re needed. Another important step is to inform local authorities in case of any unexpected incidents.

Step 10. Store Tools and Materials:

Finally, store all of the tools and materials you used to turn off the emergency lights safely away from where they can be accessed by unauthorized personnel. This will help keep your building secure and prevent any potential accidents or damage caused by careless handling of these items. Remember, always use the right tools and materials when working with power sources.

By following these simple steps, you can successfully turn off emergency lights in the building and make sure everyone remains safe. With a bit of preparation and the right tools, you can quickly and easily complete this important task. Don’t forget to notify other staff members when you’re done, and store any tools and materials away safely.

5 Additional Tips and Tricks

1. Always make sure to check the battery power of emergency lights before deactivating them. Lights that are low on power may be difficult or impossible to switch off, so it’s important to ensure they have enough charge beforehand.

2. If you have an electrician with you, ask them to check the circuit breaker related to the emergency lights before attempting to turn them off. This could help prevent any potential damage from being done to the system or wiring by shutting off a light incorrectly.

3. Make sure all staff and visitors in the building know how to switch off emergency lights if necessary, even if it is simply a case of pointing out where the switch is located and what must be done when an emergency occurs.

4. If the lights don’t shut off, try to locate any other switches or mechanisms that could control them and ensure they are all in the “off” position.

5. If you’re still having trouble turning off an emergency light, contact a professional electrician who should be able to assist you in safely deactivating it.

Clean It Up Using a Vacuum Cleaner

Following these tips will help ensure your building is safe and secure when it comes to deactivating emergency lights. Knowing how to turn off emergency lights properly will not only keep people safe but will also save time if an emergency does occur. Taking the time now to understand this process can save you a lot of stress later on!

5 Things You Should Avoid

1. Never attempt to turn off emergency lights without knowing how they work and which switches control them.

2. Don’t try to disconnect or tamper with any wiring related to the lights, as this can be dangerous and cause damage to the system.

3. Refrain from using force when attempting to switch off an emergency light, as this may result in it being damaged or stuck in the “on” position.

4. Avoid trying to switch off emergency lights during an actual emergency, as doing so can confuse people and put them at risk of not being able to evacuate safely.

5. Do not use any kind of chemical or fire extinguishing agent on an emergency light; instead, simply locate the switch and flick it into the “off” position.

Being aware of these potential mistakes can help ensure you know how to safely and effectively turn off emergency lights when necessary. With the right knowledge and preparation, you can help keep your building safe from potential fire or emergencies.

Why Won’t Your Emergency Lights Turn Off?

If the emergency lights in your building won’t turn off, it could be due to a few different factors. It’s important to check the batteries of these lights to ensure they have enough charge, as this could be why they aren’t turning off. 

Additionally, if you have an electrician on hand, you can ask them to check the circuit breaker associated with the lights. This might provide further insight into why the lights are stuck in the “on” position.

It’s also possible that there is another switch or mechanism controlling the lights, so make sure all other switches related to them are in the “off” position and see if this resolves any issues. If none of these solutions work, it’s best to contact a professional electrician who can assist in safely deactivating the emergency lights.

No matter what the case may be, it’s always best practice to make sure all staff and visitors know how to turn off the emergency lights should an emergency occur. Providing clear instructions and pointing out where the switch is located can help ensure everyone knows how to turn off the lights in the event of an emergency.

Test the Emergency Lights Again

Conclusion

As you can see, learning how to turn off emergency lights in building in a building is not difficult. All it takes is some simple tools and a few basic steps. With the right approach and knowledge, anyone can master this necessary but often overlooked skill. Knowing how to engage with emergency lights could save lives in an every day or disaster situation, so it should not be taken lightly.

Knowledge like this doesn’t just appear out of nowhere; it takes time for careful research and practice to become comfortable with something as important as emergency lights. We highly recommend having an understanding of the code of practice for emergency lighting systems if you plan on turning off such elements in buildings.

Armed with the information provided here, you now have the basics on how to turn off emergency lights safely and effectively.

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