It is no secret that emergency lighting tests are critical in any business. Since emergency lighting solutions help people evacuate buildings and maintain health and safety in the event of a catastrophe, keeping these systems in excellent working order is a must.
At 3s Northampton Ltd, we offer maintenance package contracts which include tests and inspections to ensure you have functioning critical emergency lighting that will be able to perform its duty whenever required, within full adherence with legal codes and regulations. We are able to carry out these test at a time that is convenient to your business, so your business is not affected in any way.
What is Emergency Lighting?
Emergency lighting is lighting for an emergency situation where the main power supply is cut off and normal illumination fails. This may lead to sudden darkness and therefore possible danger to the occupants.
There are 2 different types of emergency lighting depending on what environment they are to be installed in:
Maintained Emergency Lighting - This system works on a standard light fitting, and it connects and gets controlled with your other lights altogether. When the power fails, this lighting keeps working at a lower lighting level. Maintenance is required.
Non-Maintained Emergency Lighting - Normally, these lights remain off but have a green LED display that shows the batteries are charged. If the power fails, the fitting switches the battery supply on. They do not connect to the general lighting, and they're usually used for emergency exit signs.
How to maintain your Emergency Lighting System
Just like any piece of emergency equipment, you must test and maintain your emergency lighting solutions to ensure they are in good working order. How often you maintain your lighting system depends on your system, but as a general guide, you should consider:
A quick monthly test is a good idea will tell you if everything is functioning correctly at peak levels. This is a short functional test in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004 / BS 5266-8:2004 and can be carried out by one of our qualified engineers.
Test of at least one hour for a three-hour rated system.
A full test of your Emergency Lighting must be scheduled at least once every year. If your system is supposed to give you three full hours of light when the mains power goes off, the test must last for at least three hours.
A record of all tests carried out will be kept in your Emergency Lighting Log Book, which will include all results and remedials carried out and dated. Failures will be advised to be fixed as soon as possible.
When is the best time for us to perform these tests?
This is up to you, but to help you to decide on the best time to perform your system test, there are a few factors you might want to keep in mind:
How must you comply with Regulation? The legal bit!
There are regulations which must be complied with where emergency lighting is installed and regular checks must be carried out.
Each area that emergency lights are fitted should have a log book for results to be recorded and remedials carried out and dated.
One of the common errors that occur by owners is that when alterations are made to a dwelling emergency lighting is not rearranged to suit new layout which is required by law.
The UK Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order of 2005 specifies that UK installations must comply with the National Standard Body’s BS 5266 parts 1,7 and 8. Products must comply with BSEN 60598-2-22 and testing of the systems under BS5266 part 8.
There are 5 main ways in which employers could be breaking the law:
One of the biggest mistakes made is allowing staff/employees back into premises or place of work too early after a mandatory 3 hour battery test as the batteries require time to recharge. This effectually means that if a power failure occurs following a 3 hour test the lights will not have enough energy to illuminate the fittings and therefore dangerous.
Recent violations in the UK include a Hotelier incurring an 18 month prison sentence for not complying with regulations as well as a well known steel manufacturer incurring a £200,000 fine.
Need more information or looking for a quote?
Maybe you have a system in place and want to make sure you stay in compliance with the latest regulations. Or maybe you would like a quote on our Emergency Lighting Maintenance Package. If so, please give our friendly team a call on 01604 494123 or fill in our contact form.