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- Circularity and Sustainability
When it comes to building safety, emergency lighting is a fundamental yet often overlooked component. Many existing installations still rely on antiquated fluorescent technology and nickel-cadmium batteries, which are not only outdated but also environmentally contentious. The need for an upgrade is pressing. This transition represents not just a step towards modernization but a leap in efficiency, safety, and compliance with current norms and legislation.
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The transition to LED emergency lighting is compelling for several reasons. Primarily, it offers significant energy savings and reduced maintenance costs. Moreover, it ensures alignment with the latest environmental and safety regulations, including the ROHS directive that restricts the use of hazardous substances like cadmium. Thus, renovating your emergency lighting infrastructure is not just an upgrade; it's a strategic move towards sustainability and compliance.
One of the main considerations in upgrading emergency lighting systems is the integration of a central monitoring and management system. This is where our solution comes in, leveraging advanced wireless communication technology to seamlessly retrofit and enhance existing installations. Unlike conventional wireless controls used in general lighting, emergency lighting poses unique challenges due to the big distances between luminaires and the relatively low number of devices. This necessitates a different approach to wireless control, one that transcends the limitations of conventional 2.4GHz wireless networks like those based on Bluetooth and Zigbee.
ETAP's solution to these challenges is the ESM Wireless protocol, which operates at 868 MHz. The result? An unparalleled ability to cover distances up to 70 meters. This ensures the next luminaire can always be reached, even without direct line of sight and multiple walls in between. This capability is further enhanced by meshing technologies, ensuring a robust and reliable network across the complete building.
Adopting the ETAP Safety Manager system for your emergency lighting comes with a host of benefits. It grants direct and reliable visibility into the compliance of your emergency lighting installations, thereby streamlining maintenance and operational costs. The system autonomously monitors the health of each luminaire, predicting maintenance needs and streamlining the procurement process for replacements. This not only makes maintenance planning more efficient but also ensures continuous compliance with safety regulations.
ETAP's innovation extends to offering a hybrid solution, integrating both wired and wireless technologies within the same system. This approach is particularly beneficial in renovation projects, where existing bus wiring can be complemented with wireless modules, combining the best of both worlds for unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.
Find out more about our Emergency Lighting Management system