Chapter 8
Emergency Lighting & Voice Communication Systems
Chapter 8 governs the provision of exit lighting, emergency lighting, exit and directional signage, photoluminescent markings, and emergency voice communication systems in buildings. It prescribes where each type of lighting and signage is required, the performance standards (illuminance levels, energisation delay times, power supply duration), sign dimensions and viewing distances, and the conditions under which a Fire Command Centre (FCC) and one-way or two-way Emergency Voice Communication (EVC) system must be installed and its location, size and construction requirements.
Scope: All buildings except PG I (which is broadly exempt) for lighting and signage provisions; buildings of PG III–VIII meeting size, height or occupant load thresholds for EVC and FCC provisions. Specific additional requirements apply to hotels, car parks, FCCs, generator rooms, fire pump rooms, and areas of refuge.
Source: SCDF Code of Practice for Fire Precautions in Buildings 2023. This is a guidance summary — always verify against the full Fire Code clause text.
Critical points
Exit lighting must be provided in all exits of all buildings except PG I. Emergency lighting is required in all corridors and lobbies of buildings except PG I, and the energisation delay from failure of normal supply must not exceed 1 second.
CriticalClauses 8.1.1, 8.1.2Emergency lighting for occupied areas (required in buildings other than PG I or II) must energise within 15 seconds of normal supply failure.
CriticalClause 8.1.3eEmergency lighting is mandatory regardless of area in: lift cars, Fire Command Centres, generator rooms, basement and aboveground multi-storey car parks, fire pump rooms, and areas of refuge.
CriticalClause 8.1.3cEmergency lighting for occupied areas is required along paths leading to corridors/lobbies/exits where the direct distance from the corridor/lobby/exit entry point to the furthest point in the area exceeds 13 m, or over the whole area where no explicit paths exist.
ImportantClause 8.1.3aEmergency lighting for firefighting facilities (fire alarm panels, call points, firefighting equipment) must also energise within 15 seconds and the minimum illuminance must comply with SS 563.
ImportantClause 8.1.4All exit and emergency luminaires must be of an approved type and comply with SS 563. Duration of the secondary power supply must comply with SS 563.
ImportantClauses 8.1.5, 8.1.6
Compliance thresholds
| Parameter | Value | Condition | Clause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energisation delay — exit and corridor/lobby emergency lighting | Not exceeding 1 second | Failure of electrical supply to normal lighting | Clause 8.1.1c |
| Energisation delay — emergency lighting for occupied areas | Not exceeding 15 seconds | Failure of electrical supply to normal lighting | Clause 8.1.3e |
| Energisation delay — emergency lighting for firefighting facilities | Not exceeding 15 seconds | Failure of electrical supply to normal lighting | Clause 8.1.4c |
| Distance threshold triggering occupied-area emergency lighting along paths | Exceeds 13 m | Direct distance from corridor/lobby/exit entry to furthest point in occupied area | Clause 8.1.3a(1) |
| Emergency lighting exemption — open-to-sky roof terrace/garden | Exempt | Open-to-sky roof terrace or garden | Clause 8.1.3b(1) |
| Emergency lighting exemption — open-sided single storey building | Floor area ≤200 m² with openings ≥80% of perimeter wall area | Open-sided single storey building | Clause 8.1.3b(2) |
Interactive decision tree
What type of space or building element needs emergency/exit lighting assessment?