Ontec S30 Non-Maintained Auto-Test Anti-Panic Emergency Light 1321lm IP65 - White

The Ontec S30 is a self-testing, non-maintained LED emergency light for anti-panic, or open area, lighting: the light large open spaces need when the mains fails, so people can find their way to an escape route. Non-maintained means it stays dark while the power is on; when the power fails, it runs for its rated one hour from its own battery. When comparing emergency lights, check the emergency output, which on many fittings is lower than the headline figure. Here both read 1321 lumens, because this light is only ever on in emergency mode.

Anti-panic lighting is for the open spaces of a building, such as open-plan offices, sports halls and warehouses, while escape route lighting deals with corridors and stairs. How many fittings a space needs, and where they go, is set by the emergency lighting design; this one is listed for wall or ceiling mounting, which gives that design room to work. The maker lists it for indoor use, and it suits contractors and facilities managers equipping non-domestic buildings. Its IP65 rating, the code for an enclosure that is dust-tight and protected against jets of water, is a useful margin in dusty or damp interiors such as plant rooms and workshops.

The body is plastic, finished in white: an oblong housing with a grey border round the front. The battery is 6.4V, 3.0Ah lithium iron phosphate. It takes a 220-240V AC supply at 50Hz, which suits UK mains. For matching a specification, the model code is M560NMATW. Because it stays dark until the supply fails, its 5000K colour temperature, a cool white, need not match the lighting around it, and white sits quietly on a pale wall or ceiling.

Range Datasheet

Does this light stay on all the time, or only in a power cut?

Only in a power cut. It is non-maintained, so it stays dark while the mains supply is healthy and lights when that supply fails, running for its rated one hour from its own battery. If you want a fitting that doubles as everyday lighting, that is a maintained emergency light.

Is a one-hour emergency light long enough for my building?

That depends on the premises, and the answer comes from the fire risk assessment and the emergency lighting design. UK guidance generally accepts one hour only where a building is evacuated straight away and not reoccupied until the batteries have recharged; where people sleep on the premises, or may return sooner, three hours is what is usually specified.

What does the automatic self-test do?

It carries out its own routine tests automatically, which saves someone simulating a power cut by hand for each check. Whoever is responsible for the building still needs to confirm the results and keep the emergency lighting log book, because a test only helps if a failure is noticed and put right.

It is rated IP65, so can I fit it outside?

No. The maker lists it for indoor use, and that is the listing to follow. IP65 describes how well an enclosure keeps out dust and jets of water, which makes this a sound choice for dusty or damp areas inside a building, such as plant rooms and workshops, but it is not an approval for use outside.

Is this an exit sign?

It is listed for anti-panic lighting, which lights an open area so people can reach an escape route, rather than marking the route itself. Our record for this fitting lists no running man legend, so if a door or route needs an illuminated exit sign, choose a fitting sold for that job.

Can it go on a ceiling, or only on a wall?

Either. It is listed for wall mounting and ceiling mounting, so its position can follow what the emergency lighting design calls for. It connects to the mains, so fitting it is a job for a competent electrician.