The revised standard DIN EN 1838:2025-03 specifies in detail the minimum lighting requirements for electrical emergency lighting systems used in buildings. These include safety lighting systems that are stationary or adaptive and must be installed in areas that are either accessible to the public or used by employees.

A key element of the standard is the addition of adaptive safety lighting systems. These enable the illuminance of individual components to be adjusted as required, either manually or by automatic control. The aim is to improve the visibility of escape routes, safety signs or particularly critical areas depending on the situation.

Emergency lighting is activated as soon as the general lighting fails. In this case, an independent power supply is mandatory. The supply can be provided by central battery systems, group battery systems or decentralised single battery luminaires. Such a system can fulfil both safety-related tasks (e.g. escape route marking, anti-panic lighting) and operational functions (e.g. continuation of safety-related processes).

The term emergency lighting is a generic term and covers several specific types of lighting:

• Safety lighting for escape routes: Marking and illumination of escape routes to a safe area.
• Anti-panic lighting: Prevents panic reactions by providing sufficient basic lighting in open areas.
• Safety lighting for workplaces with special hazards: Ensures safe working conditions in the event of a failure of the general lighting.
• Safety sign lighting: Makes escape route and rescue signs visible. In adaptive versions, their intensity can be controlled.

Emergency lighting systems may be operated in standby mode (switching on when the general lighting fails) or in continuous mode. In the latter case, it must be ensured that all safety-related functions are maintained without restriction even if the general lighting fails.

The planning and execution of the systems must comply with the requirements of EN 50172 (VDE 0108-100). This standard regulates in particular the emergency power supply, monitoring, maintenance and documentation of safety lighting systems. If automatic testing devices are used, these must also be designed and installed in accordance with EN 62034.

In addition, when selecting components, it must be ensured that all requirements of DIN EN 1838 are met throughout the entire intended operating life. This applies in particular to minimum illuminance levels, reliability, recognisability of safety signs and operating time in the event of an interruption to the general power supply.