{"id":29013,"date":"2026-10-15T17:23:27","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T13:53:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/altonray.com\/en\/corridor-emergency-lighting-standards\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T10:46:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T07:16:53","slug":"corridor-emergency-lighting-standards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/altonray.com\/en\/corridor-emergency-lighting-standards\/","title":{"rendered":"Corridor, Stair and Exit Lighting: EN 1838 Emergency Lighting Standards"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Corridors, stairs and exit routes are the paths people use every day and the only way out in an emergency. Their lighting must give safe orientation in normal operation and keep working when the mains supply fails. This guide summarises the key requirements of EN 12464-1<\/strong> for circulation areas and EN 1838<\/strong> for emergency escape lighting: lux levels, uniformity, glare, battery duration and the right luminaire choice for offices, hospitals, schools, hotels and industrial buildings.<\/p>\n

Explore Alton Ray emergency LED lighting<\/a>, including self-contained luminaires for escape routes, and the Soha LED exit sign<\/a> range.<\/p>\n

Normal Lighting for Corridors and Stairs<\/h2>\n

Required illuminance<\/h3>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Area<\/th>\nMaintained illuminance<\/th>\nUGR limit<\/th>\nUniformity (Uo)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Corridors and circulation areas<\/td>\n100 lux<\/td>\n< 28<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Stairs, escalators<\/td>\n150 lux<\/td>\n< 25<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hospital corridors (day)<\/td>\n200 lux<\/td>\n< 22<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Entrance halls and lobbies<\/td>\n200 lux<\/td>\n< 22<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Loading ramps and bays<\/td>\n150 lux<\/td>\n< 25<\/td>\n0.40<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Why uniformity matters on stairs<\/h3>\n

On stairs, poor uniformity creates shadows on the step edges and is a common cause of falls. Place luminaires so that both treads and risers are lit, avoid lighting only from the top landing, and make the transition between the corridor and the staircase smooth so the eye does not need to adapt suddenly.<\/p>\n

Glare in long corridors<\/h3>\n

In long corridors, people look along the ceiling line, so bare light sources in the field of view cause discomfort. Use opal or micro-prismatic diffusers, wall-mounted luminaires that direct light downwards, or recessed downlights with a deep cut-off.<\/p>\n

Emergency Escape Lighting (EN 1838)<\/h2>\n

Types of emergency lighting<\/h3>\n