Safety spotlight: emergency lights Published March 4, 2013 By 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Dover Air Force Base, Del. -- In the blink of an eye, smoke can fill the air and a normal work day can escalate into an adrenaline-pumping search for a safe haven. In this day and age, finding safety is not a difficult task with the aid of emergency lighting and exit signs, as long as they are operational. As with any equipment, routine inspections and maintenance are conducted to ensure the safety of all Dover Air Force Base personnel. "Since January 2012, over 100 combined emergency lights and exit signs were found inoperative during annual fire inspections," said Brian Cullen, assistant chief of fire prevention at Dover Air Force Base. To cut down the quantity of inoperable lighting, facility managers are recommended to inspect the lights and signs during monthly fire extinguisher checks. If the device is out of order, please notify the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron Service Call Desk. "The 436th Civil Engineer Squadron is upgrading these devices to self-diagnostic lights that will flash different colored lights so facility managers can just look at the box to see if they are operational," said Cullen. "The lights and signs are meant to guide all personnel during any emergency, not just fires. Any interruption in the facilities electrical grid will activate the emergency lights." Actively inspecting emergency lights and exit lights can and will save lives. If a light or sign seems to be malfunctioning, alerting the facility manager and the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron could be the difference in saving or losing lives and property.