Maintained Emergency Lighting

Buy maintained emergency lights and illuminated exit signs for escape routes, public areas and final exits. A maintained emergency light stays lit whenever the normal lighting is on and keeps working from its battery if the mains supply fails. This range also includes switchable maintained/non-maintained (M/NM) fittings, which are listed in both this collection and our non-maintained emergency lighting range.

Maintained emergency lights we stock

• Exit signs and escape signs: Advanced Blade-LED, Exi-LED, Escape-LED and Cine-LED signs, the Hispec Zambezi self-test exit sign, Hispec Rhine exit boxes and the BLE Meersbrook 5-in-1 hanging sign. See also illuminated exit signs.
• Emergency bulkheads: switchable fittings such as the CQR Bulkhead Plus, BLE Norfolk, Hispec Emerald and Advanced Mor-LED. See emergency bulkhead lights.
• Amenity and decorative luminaires: BLE Endcliffe, Whirlow, Dore and Oxley fittings with photocell, microwave sensor and self-test options, and addressable Advanced Circu-LED, Round-LED, Panel-LED and LED-Lite luminaires.

Brands: Advanced, BLE Lighting & Power, CQR and Hispec.

How to choose a maintained emergency light

• Where maintained is needed. HM Government fire safety guidance says maintained lighting should be used where people may be unfamiliar with the premises, such as function rooms, bars and hotel corridors. In theatres and cinemas, escape signs must stay lit whenever the public are present, even when the normal lighting is dimmed. Your fire risk assessment and system designer will confirm what your building needs.
• Mode codes. M3 means maintained with a 3-hour duration. M/NM or "switchable" fittings can be set up either way on site. On some fittings, such as the Advanced Mor-LED and Escape-LED, you get non-maintained operation by leaving out the switched live supply.
• Duration. Luminaires are made for durations of 1 to 3 hours, and 3 hours is the most popular choice.
• Testing. Choose self-test fittings, addressable fittings or manual fittings tested with an emergency light test key switch.

For a fuller comparison of the two modes, read our guide to maintained vs non-maintained emergency lighting.

Why buy from JEM Systems UK

JEM Systems UK is an authorised distributor of Advanced. Every product we sell is genuine, brand new and factory sealed. Buy online with fast, tracked UK delivery, or contact our team.

Maintained emergency lighting FAQs

What is the difference between maintained and non-maintained emergency lighting?

A maintained light is on whenever the normal lighting is on and stays lit on battery if the mains fails. A non-maintained light stays off until the normal lighting supply fails.

Where is maintained emergency lighting required?

Typical examples are places where people may not know the building and places where the lighting may be dimmed, such as bars, function rooms, hotel corridors, theatres and cinemas. The fire risk assessment decides this for each building, and a competent person should design the system to BS 5266-1.

Can one emergency light be both maintained and non-maintained?

Yes. Switchable M/NM fittings can be wired either way, so they appear in both our maintained and non-maintained collections. Check each product's description to confirm its modes.