What should be relied upon for safe egress during a power outage?

• A. Emergency lighting and illuminated exit signs along predefined egress routes.
• B. Regular ceiling lights and open doors for exit.
• C. Audible alarms only with no lighting.
• D. Safety cones placed near doors.

Answer: (A)

During a power outage, safe egress depends on lighting and signage that stay powered independently and guide people along a defined path. Emergency lighting provides visibility of the route even when the main power is out, so you can see corridors, stairs, and obstacles. Illuminated exit signs clearly mark where exits are and often indicate the direction to follow, helping occupants move toward safety without hesitation. Together, they create a reliable, known route for evacuation, reducing confusion and delays.

Regular ceiling lights rely on the same power that’s out in an outage, so they won’t help you see the way. Open doors might reveal an exit, but without lighting you can’t confidently navigate. Audible alarms can alert you that there’s an emergency, but they don’t guide you to an exit. Safety cones near doors don’t provide illumination or directional guidance.