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Wall Pack Lights Vs Emergency Lights Differences

Emergency Lights vs. Wall Pack Lights: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each

Overview

When choosing between emergency lighting and wall pack lights, it’s important to understand that they serve two very different—but complementary—purposes. Emergency lights are safety-critical fixtures that activate during power outages to illuminate egress routes and exits. Wall packs, on the other hand, are outdoor lights typically mounted on the exterior of a building to provide illumination for security and nighttime...

Both types of fixtures are essential in commercial, industrial, and even residential environments. Using both in tandem ensures safe evacuation during emergencies and helps secure property against intruders or accidents at night.

Highlight: Emergency lighting is required by fire codes—wall packs are not—but both improve safety in critical ways.

Use Case Differences

Emergency lights are designed specifically to turn on when power is lost, often due to electrical failure or fire. They are installed indoors—along corridors, near exits, and in stairwells—to ensure that building occupants can find their way out safely. According to the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, they must provide a minimum of 90 minutes of illumination and be spaced to provide sufficient brightness along egress paths.

Wall pack lights are installed on the exterior walls of buildings and remain on during regular operation, usually triggered by a photocell or timer. Their primary purpose is visibility and security. While standard wall packs go dark during outages, some specialized models are equipped with battery backup or can be wired to emergency power to serve dual purposes.

Pro Tip: Use emergency lights indoors and consider battery-backed wall packs for outdoor exits or high-security areas.

Pros and Cons

Emergency Lights

  • ✔ Required by law in most commercial and public buildings
  • ✔ Automatically turn on during a power outage
  • ✔ Provide minimum 90 minutes of illumination
  • ✘ Require regular testing and maintenance (see our emergency light testing guide)
  • ✘ Not typically used during regular operations
Wall Pack Lights Motion Sensor

Wall Pack Lights

  • ✔ Improve building perimeter security and safety
  • ✔ Operate nightly via timers or photocells
  • ✔ Available in a wide range of wattages and styles (see our wall pack lighting buyer’s guide)
  • ✘ No emergency backup unless specifically designed
  • ✘ Must comply with dark-sky rules in some jurisdictions (see Wall Pack Lights 101)

What to Look For

  • UL 924 Listing: Required for all emergency lighting fixtures. See our UL 924 compliance guide.
  • Photocells & Sensors: For wall packs, dusk-to-dawn sensors or motion detectors reduce energy usage and provide smarter control.
  • Weather Resistance: Look for IP65+ or “wet location” ratings for outdoor wall pack or damp location emergency lights.
  • Battery Backup: Emergency units must operate for 90 minutes on battery. Some wall packs have integrated emergency batteries.
  • Self-Testing: Required in some jurisdictions; simplifies inspections and ensures readiness (see self-testing guide).

Codes and Compliance

Emergency lights are governed by strict codes including UL 924, NFPA 101, and local fire ordinances. They must activate automatically, illuminate egress routes for 90 minutes, and be tested monthly and annually. Local fire marshals often refer to the state fire code directory for enforcement.

Wall packs are not typically covered under fire code but may fall under energy and light pollution rules (e.g., Title 24 in California). In hazardous or industrial areas, use hazardous location-rated emergency lights to comply with OSHA and UL 844 standards.

In stricter regions like New York City and Chicago, special codes apply that require metal housings, dual circuits, and brighter output. Refer to the NYC & Chicago emergency lighting guide for more.

Highlight: Emergency lights are required. Wall packs are recommended for safety but must be chosen wisely to comply with local lighting ordinances.

Conclusion

Choosing between emergency lighting and wall pack lights isn't an either-or decision. Most buildings benefit from both. Emergency lighting keeps people safe during crises; wall packs ensure outdoor visibility and security during normal operations. When chosen together, they offer a complete, code-compliant solution.

Use the Wall Pack Lighting Buyer’s Guide and Wall Pack Lights 101 to explore fixture types, and make sure your emergency lighting system is up to code with help from our UL 924 compliance guide and testing guide.