Anti-Panic Lighting (Open-Area Lighting)

A category of emergency lighting under NEN-EN 1838, separate from escape-route lighting, intended to prevent panic in large, open areas (for example a shop floor, foyer or meeting room with a floor area greater than about 60 m²) by providing sufficient horizontal illuminance (at least 0.5 lux on the floor, outside a 0.5 m border along the walls) when normal lighting fails, so that occupants can safely reach an escape route or exit. Unlike escape-route lighting, which illuminates narrow walking routes and pictograms, anti-panic lighting covers the entire open floor area, and unlike high-risk task-area lighting (which requires a much higher level to safely shut down a hazardous process), anti-panic lighting focuses solely on orientation and preventing panic.