Collection: Emergency Wall Packs

Per safety codes (UL 924), an emergency wall pack must provide illumination for a minimum of 90 minutes during a power outage. This gives occupants ample time to evacuate the building safely.

Yes. These are “Normally On” fixtures. They function exactly like a standard wall pack every night (turning on at dusk, off at dawn). The battery backup only kicks in when it detects a loss of AC power.

Yes. Batteries can be sensitive to cold. Most outdoor wall pack with battery backup fixtures are designed with cold-weather batteries or internal heaters to ensure they function correctly even in freezing temperatures.

Code typically requires these fixtures at “exit discharges” — the area immediately outside an exterior exit door — and along any outdoor walkway leading to a safe public area, such as a parking lot or street. They ensure the path of egress is visible during a blackout.

Every fixture has a test button on the housing. Pressing this button simulates a power outage, forcing the light to switch to battery power. If the light stays on, the battery and transfer switch are working correctly.

A standard wall pack is a hardwired outdoor fixture that provides security and perimeter lighting — it goes completely dark when AC power is lost. An emergency wall pack contains all the same components plus an integrated battery driver and charge management system. During normal operation the two fixtures are functionally identical. When the emergency wall pack detects a loss of AC power, the battery driver engages within seconds, maintaining illumination for a minimum of 90 minutes. This makes emergency wall packs a code-required replacement for standard wall packs at exit discharge locations and along outdoor egress paths.

No — emergency wall packs are typically wired on the same branch circuit as standard lighting. The key requirement is that the circuit must be unswitched (always energized when AC power is present) so the battery can continuously charge during normal operation. Do not wire emergency wall packs on a switched circuit or a circuit controlled by a motion sensor or timer that cuts power to the fixture — this will prevent the battery from maintaining a full charge and may result in failed emergency operation.

Most sealed lead-acid (SLA) or lithium battery packs in commercial emergency wall packs have a rated service life of 3–5 years under normal operating conditions. NFPA 101 and IBC require an annual 30-second functional test and a full 90-minute discharge test every three years. If a fixture fails the 90-minute test or the indicator light signals a fault, the battery pack should be replaced promptly. Many manufacturers offer replacement battery packs sized specifically to their fixture models to simplify field servicing.

The primary governing standards are NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code), IBC (International Building Code) Section 1008, and UL 924 (the product standard for emergency lighting equipment). Together these codes specify where emergency lighting is required (exit discharges, egress paths, stairwells), the minimum illumination level (1 footcandle average at floor level), and the minimum duration (90 minutes). Local amendments and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) interpretations may impose additional requirements. Always confirm applicable local codes before specifying emergency wall pack placement.

Yes for photocells — and this is the standard installation method. A photocell or dusk-to-dawn sensor controls normal operation while keeping AC power continuously supplied to the battery charging circuit. Do not use a timer, occupancy sensor, or any control that cuts AC power to the fixture on a schedule — interrupting power to the charging circuit prevents the battery from maintaining a full charge and will result in failed emergency operation when power is actually lost.