EN 1838 and escape routes: more stringent requirements, lixit solutions already compliant

With the update to EN 1838, a key aspect of escape route design has changed: the reference is no longer the “central line”, but the “central zone”.

From line to zone: what it really means

In the past, the requirement was clear: ensure 1 lux at floor level along the central line of the route, and 0.5 lux on two lateral bands, each half a metre wide.
Today, the standard requires 1 lux at floor level across the entire central zone of the escape route: no longer 1 lux on a single axis, but across a wider surface area.

Why this is more stringent

This update increases both the area and the minimum illuminance that must be guaranteed. In practice, the 1 lux verification is no longer a point-based check along a line, but applies to a broader surface, making the requirement more demanding and pushing designers to pay even greater attention to light distribution, optics, and photometric performance.

Lixit solutions already compliant with the new EN 1838

Meeting this new scenario requires luminaires designed with dedicated optics.
Flecsy and Twinspot are already equipped with escape route lenses specifically developed to meet these requirements.

• Flecsy is a design-led emergency spotlight: ultra-slim, with a paintable housing and high performance. It is supplied as standard with interchangeable lenses: for anti-panic areas and for escape routes, allowing the light distribution to be perfectly adapted to the project.
• Twinspot is the ideal choice where there is no suspended ceiling: available as a ceiling-mounted version (Twinspot Up) or wall-mounted (Twinspot Side). Here too, interchangeable lenses are supplied as standard, combined with a clean, refined design that integrates elegantly into any environment.

With Lixit, regulatory updates become an advantage: more design control, higher compliance, and superior lighting quality.

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