There are several reasons why people choose to install back up power in their building during construction and some of these reasons include, guaranteeing safety of occupants, to ensure work continuous without any form of interruption and to prevent financial losses resulting from power failures. But the main purpose or reason for architects and other contractors to install backup power is to meet the safety standards and other legislation s that are stipulated in the building act. Emergency lighting Pennsylvania is one of safety standard provided for in the act.

Apart from all the panic and getting injured, loss of power can result to big or huge losses by commercial companies whose goal is to make profit. This is because power outage will temporarily stop their activities and as well all know time lost is never recovered and also time is money.

Escape lights are required to achieve following function that is indicating very clearly and without any ambiguity the building escape route. The system also provides enough illumination along escape ways to facilitate safe movement of all occupants in such buildings to vacate safely.

Another reason for alternative power supply is to facilitate safe locating of fire equipment and call points for fire alarms in the event of a fire. These facilities are located along the building escape routes. The last reason for this to be incorporated in a building is to permit effective and smooth safety operations to be carried out.

The very first step towards installing alternative source of power supply is deciding on design and also consulting with relevant stakeholders. The building designer, building officer and user representative should deliberate and consequently decide where to locate escape illumination and also mark up or indicate areas where the system will pass through, identify electricity supply, duration, facilities and operation mode for the system.

The main source of alternative supply mostly used is self contained and sometimes referred to as single point. The advantage of this power supply includes faster installation with less money being spent, the system uses standard materials for wiring and it automatically switches itself on. Other advantage is that it has low maintenance cost since it only requires general cleaning and periodic test.

Another benefit is the hardware equipment used is of low cost since they do not need wiring extension and special ventilation. The system has improved integrity since each and every luminary is not dependent on another. Also this system of power supply is allows for easy extension and does not require special or extra sub circuit for monitoring.

Another form of illumination is lights for areas with high risk. This is lighting system which provides sufficient illumination facilitating safety of occupants who are in potentially dangerous situation or process and allow operators to properly follow shutting down procedures.