Directive luminaires provide information or give directions by way of pictograms or texts. Emergency lighting refers to luminaires that indicate the escape route to improve orientation in emergency situations.

Criteria for emergency lighting and directive luminaires
- luminance: noticeability of the luminaire in its surroundings
- form and colour: to comply with the standards
- luminaire position: to describe correctly the escape route
- emergency power supply
- effectiveness: to continue lighting signs upon mains power failure