Emergency Lights for Commercial Premises in Singapore: Types, What to Check and How to Choose
Last updated: 6 October 2026
An emergency light is a luminaire that stays lit or switches on when mains power fails, so people can find the way out of a building. A self-contained emergency luminaire holds its own battery inside the fitting, so each unit works independently of the others.
Quick answer: To choose an emergency light in Singapore, match the fitting to the space: ceiling-mounted units for retail, commercial, hospitality and healthcare interiors, twin-flood units for corridors, staircases and car parks, exit signs to mark the way out, and conversion kits to run LED lamps on battery in a power failure. Check each listing’s battery, duration, test switch and IP rating. Your fire safety consultant or Qualified Person confirms how many units you need, where they go and how long they must run.
The types of emergency lights, and where each fits
Our site groups emergency products under three headings: Emergency Light, Emergency Exit Signs and Emergency Conversion Kits. The table below maps each type to where the listing says it suits and the model we list.
| Type | Suited to, per the product listing | Model on our site |
|---|---|---|
| Surface-mount self-contained emergency light | Ceiling surface installation; listed for retail, commercial, hospitality and healthcare interiors | EASI LED Surface Emergency Light (EmLED-12NM-DRUM, EmLED-14NM-DRUM) |
| Recessed self-contained emergency light | Recessed into the ceiling; same interiors as above; optional big disc adapter | EASI LED Recessed Emergency Light (EmLED-12NM, EmLED-14NM) |
| Twin-flood emergency light | Adjustable lamp heads. The EmDL 203NM / 205NM listing names offices, factories and warehouses, shopping malls, schools, corridors, staircases and car parks; the 3W listing says indoor, wall or pendant mounting | EmDL 203NM / EmDL 205NM LED Twin-Flood Emergency Light; LED Twin-Flood Emergency Light 3W |
| Slim emergency exit sign | Slim and Slim Flex: ceiling, wall or pendant mounting; the Slim Flex listing adds an anti-corrosive housing for high humidity and damp environments. Slimline double-sided: left and right arrows, surface or recessed mounting | Slim LED Emergency Exit Sign EmEX-1602M; Slim Flex LED Emergency Exit Sign EmFLEX-1602M; Slimline LED Exit Sign Double-Sided |
| Weatherproof exit sign | Outdoor use and high-humidity or marine environments; listed IP65 | Weatherproof LED Emergency Exit Sign (WLEX-100M series) |
| Conversion kit | Self-contained kit for emergency operation of LED lamps; LED1880-M lists LED lamps 10Vdc β 110Vdc | LED Emergency Conversion Kit LED1880-M; Emergency Conversion Kit LED 11/13NM Auxiliary |
Maintained or non-maintained: reading the listing
Some listings state the mode of operation. A maintained unit stays lit while mains power is on and keeps running on battery when it fails; a non-maintained unit lights when mains power fails. The EASI LED Surface Emergency Light is listed as non-maintained; the Slim LED Emergency Exit Sign EmEX-1602M and the LED1880-M conversion kit are listed as maintained. For other models, ask us to confirm.
Emergency lighting requirements in Singapore: what the Fire Code says
These lines come from SCDF’s Fire Code 2023 pages (checked 6 October 2026):
- Illuminance and spacing: “The minimum illuminance to be provided for all exits and the spacing for luminaires shall be in accordance with the requirements in SS 563.” (SCDF Fire Code 2023, Clause 8.1.1b; page last updated 31 March 2026)
- Duration: “Duration of the secondary source of power supply shall comply with the requirements in SS 563.” (Fire Code 2023, Clause 8.1.5b; same page)
- Level and run time: SCDF’s explanatory note on the same page states: “SS.563 requires that horizontal illuminance in the centre line of any escape route shall not be less than 0.5 lux, measured at the floor, for minimum duration of 1 hour.” (Explanations for Clause 8.1.1b)
Requirements are set out in the SCDF Fire Code and the relevant Singapore Standard; confirm the current version with SCDF or your fire safety consultant / Qualified Person, including test and maintenance intervals and the number and positions of units.
Listings also name standards, and the edition varies by product: the EASI LED Recessed Emergency Light lists SS 563-2:2010/A1:2013, while the Slim Flex LED Emergency Exit Sign lists SS 563-1:2010/A1:2017 and SS 563-2:2010/A2:2017. Ask your consultant which edition to match.
What to check on a product listing
- Duration and recharge: most of our listings state 3 hrs of emergency duration and a 24 hrs recharge period. Compare these with the figures your consultant specifies.
- Test switch: several listings state a test switch for independent testing, including the recessed light, the twin-flood 3W and both conversion kits.
- IP rating and temperature: where a listing shows an IP rating, most of our models list IP20 or IP30, which suits indoor spaces, while the weatherproof exit sign shows IP65. Several listings give an operating range of 0Β°C to 50Β°C, so compare it with the temperature of your space.
- Battery and charger: listings name NiCd or NiMH batteries with a fully automatic charger, and several add a low-voltage cut-off to prevent over-discharge.
- Lamp compatibility: the LED1880-M conversion kit lists LED lamps from 10Vdc to 110Vdc; compare this with your lamp’s rating.
- Warranty: ask your branch about the local warranty on the model you choose.
How to choose for your premises
Start from the plan: list exits, corridors, stairs and open areas, then ask your consultant for the required units and positions. Pick a type for each space from the table: recessed or surface units for ceilings, twin-flood heads where adjustable aim helps, exit signs at exits, the weatherproof sign for outdoor spots, and the weatherproof or Slim Flex sign for humid or damp areas, as their listings describe. For an existing LED installation, a conversion kit is an alternative to replacing the fitting.
Planning a warehouse or an office? Our warehouse lighting guide and office lighting guide cover the general lighting side.
Contractors and fit-out teams can send us the floor plan: our light specialist assesses the quantity and positions of fittings from your drawings, working alongside your consultant’s requirements. Send us your floor plan at info@lightinghub.sg, or browse our B2B services page. Visit one of our 5 showrooms (call the branch first to check what is on display). For installation, ask our team.
FAQ
What is a self-contained emergency luminaire?
A fitting with its own battery inside, so each unit lights independently when mains power fails. The EASI LED Surface and Recessed emergency lights on our site are listed as all-in-one, self-contained units.
How long must emergency lights run in Singapore?
SCDF’s Fire Code 2023, Clause 8.1.5b, states: “Duration of the secondary source of power supply shall comply with the requirements in SS 563.” Requirements are set out in the SCDF Fire Code and SS 563; confirm the current version with SCDF or your fire safety consultant / Qualified Person.
Which emergency exit light suits humid or outdoor areas?
For outdoor use, the Weatherproof LED Emergency Exit Sign is described for high humidity, marine and outdoor use, and is listed at IP65. For damp indoor areas, the Slim Flex LED Emergency Exit Sign listing describes an anti-corrosive housing for high humidity and damp environments, and lists IP30.
Can an existing LED fitting become an emergency light?
A conversion kit adds emergency operation to compatible LED lamps. The LED1880-M lists LED lamps of 10Vdc to 110Vdc, so check your lamp’s rating, and ask us to confirm before ordering.
Can contractors send a floor plan for assessment?
Yes. Send us the floor plan and our light specialist assesses the quantity and positions of fittings from the drawing. Your fire safety consultant or Qualified Person confirms what the premises require.
