What’s Included in This Guide
Overview
High lumen emergency lights are designed to shine brighter and farther than standard emergency lights. While regular units might be fine for a hallway or small office, they simply don’t provide enough coverage for large or tall spaces. High lumen models are built for warehouses, gymnasiums, and big open floorplans. These fixtures kick in during a power outage and provide powerful, code-compliant illumination to keep people safe and visible exits clear.
What makes them different? It’s all about output. A high-lumen unit can easily produce 600 to 2000+ lumens—often enough to replace multiple standard fixtures. That means fewer lights to install, better coverage, and easier maintenance. Shop high lumen models here.
Brightness, Power, and Battery Life
Brightness: Most standard emergency lights put out 100–200 lumens per head. High lumen versions start around 300 lumens and can exceed 2,000 lumens total. That’s enough to light up wide corridors, tall warehouse aisles, or gym floors.
Wattage and Voltage: These fixtures typically operate at 120V or 277V AC, just like standard units. Wattage depends on the lumen output—most high-output units use 5–30W total, driven by energy-efficient LEDs.
Battery Backup: Despite the brighter lamps, these units still provide 90 minutes of emergency lighting using larger internal batteries. Common battery types include sealed lead-acid, NiCad, or lithium-ion. Some models can even power remote heads for additional coverage.
Safety and Compliance Requirements
All high-lumen emergency lights must meet UL 924 standards and comply with NFPA 101 and OSHA codes. That means:
- Automatic activation during power loss
- Minimum 90 minutes of operation
- At least 1 foot-candle average illumination along egress paths
NYC and Chicago have tougher rules. In NYC, for example, fixtures must deliver 2 foot-candles average and feature metal housings. Always check local code before choosing a fixture.
Ideal Use Cases
- Warehouses: Mount high on the ceiling to flood entire aisles with light.
- Gymnasiums and Auditoriums: Cover open spaces from a few well-placed units.
- Long Corridors: Space them farther apart than standard lights while maintaining coverage.
- Parking Garages: Use damp-rated versions to light large, humid areas.
- Stairwells: Illuminate multiple landings from a single, well-aimed fixture.
Installation, Inspection, and Testing
These install like any hardwired emergency light. Most models can be mounted to a junction box on a wall or ceiling. Because they’re sometimes heavier (especially steel or aluminum versions), make sure your mounting surface is solid.
Initial setup: Connect the battery if required, allow 24 hours for a full charge, and test using the push button.
Testing: Code requires:
- 30-second monthly tests
- 90-minute annual full-battery test
Models with built-in self-diagnostics can automate these tests and show alerts with an LED status light.
Alternatives and Other High-Output Options
- Standard Emergency Lights: Ideal for smaller spaces like offices or restrooms.
- High-Lumen Exit Sign Combos: Combine EXIT signage with bright emergency lighting in one fixture.
- Emergency Wall Packs: For outdoor or perimeter lighting with battery backup functionality.
Conclusion and Additional Tips
If you’re outfitting a large or tall space, standard emergency lights just aren’t going to cut it. High lumen emergency lights offer brighter, broader, and more reliable coverage—while still meeting strict safety codes.
Final tips:
- Check your local code for specific brightness or housing rules
- Use high lumen units in large or high-ceiling spaces
- Stick with standard units in smaller rooms to save
- Consider self-testing models for easier maintenance
- Mix and match with combos or wall packs for total coverage
Ready to explore options? Shop high-lumen emergency lights and protect your space with confidence.