Guidance for Electrical Contractors on Emergency …

1 Guidance Emergeny lighting Bro' 5/3/04 3:24 pm Page 3. Guidance for Electrical Contractors on Emergency lighting legislation Issued in the interests of safety by in conjunction with the Industry Committee for Emergency lighting Guidance Emergeny lighting Bro' 5/3/04 3:24 pm Page 4. ECA / ICEL Guidance For Electrical Contractors on Emergency lighting legislation BS5499 Sign Format. Suitable for extensions of 1 Upgrading Fire Safety signs existing installations Although most people have become aware that new formats of Fire Safety signs have been introduced in the UK over the past decade, the introduction of legislation that demanded that the oldest format of signs be replaced is still unknown to many people. Signs Directive Format complying with Health and Safety The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Regulations for all installations Signals) Regulations i, SI 341, introduced in 1996 to enact the EU Signs Directive ii, Figure 1 - Fire Safety Sign Formats required that all text-only fire safety signs The Industry Committee for Emergency ( EXIT or FIRE EXIT signs) produced to lighting Ltd.

2 (ICEL) publishes a useful comply with BS 2560 should be replaced by guide to the design of Emergency lighting 24th December 1998 with the pictogram installations, ICEL 1006 iii, which offers format running man signs. additional advice on the requirements for This mandatory change of signage presents a the siting of Fire Safety signs. considerable opportunity for business. Text only Consideration should not only be given to signs may still be seen in many premises and updating signs by changing the legend panels the occupiers are quite unaware that their or diffusers, but also to taking the opportunity Fire Safety signs are no longer acceptable to test the installed signage products. Testing and should have been replaced. will often reveal that the internal battery also needs replacing. Replacement of just the legend panels or diffusers may be difficult if the sign luminaire type has been discontinued by the maker.

3 This, combined with the possible need to replace the internal battery, will usually mean that it is more cost Text Exit signs to be replaced by 24 December 1998 effective to replace the whole sign luminaire. Choice of Replacement Sign Format Minimum Height of Signs Considerable debate continues about The viewing distance (d) of any exit sign whether the running man signs should be of should be no more than 200 times the the BS 5499 type, with the man in the height (H) of the sign if internally illuminated doorway, or of the more recently introduced or 100 times the height (H) of the sign if EU Signs Directive type, with the man externally illuminated. running toward the door. The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations, as explained in the HSE Guidance document Safety Signs and Signals - Guidance on Regulations iv, states that small differences in the pictograms or symbols are acceptable providing that they do not affect or confuse the message that the sign conveys.

4 Thus, either format of Figure 2 - Maximum viewing distance for Fire Safety signs pictogram sign is acceptable providing that all signs within the installation are of the same format. 2 Emergency lighting Maintenance All Emergency lighting systems are required If Fire Safety signs are to be fitted to a new to be subjected to regular testing and installation, it is recommended that they inspection to ensure correct operation when should be of the EU Signs Directive type required to operate in an Emergency . format. When signs are fitted to extend an existing installation they shall be of the All too often Emergency lighting has been same format as those previously fitted if seen as a fit and forget' product. A. complying with either BS 5499 or the consultant or specifier may have carefully EU Signs Directive type format. designed an Emergency lighting installation, Guidance Emergeny lighting Bro' 5/3/04 3:24 pm Page 5.

5 The equipment may have been correctly installed and The majority of occupiers of premises do not certified as complying with the appropriate standards understand the operation of their Emergency lighting and then it is totally neglected. It should not, then, systems. If occupiers realise their obligations to test be a surprise when it fails to operate when required. and maintain Emergency lighting at all, most are only concerned to maintain the systems to correctly fulfil The implications of failure of the Emergency lighting their statutory obligations. Sub-contracting the task of may of course be catastrophic, with the lives of maintaining systems is therefore an attractive building occupants being put at risk. proposition to many occupiers and landlords. Although some central battery systems may need to Maintenance Business Opportunities be maintained by specialists, trained, competent Both BS 5266 and European draft standard Electrical Contractors can maintain many Emergency prEN 50172 define detailed requirements for lighting systems.

6 Inspection and testing at regular intervals. Routine maintenance contracts can be good Emergency lighting testing requirements are business if well managed but it is necessary to detailed in ICEL 1008 and the general schedule follow the schedules of routine maintenance of requirements is shown as follows: described in BS 5266 and the European draft standard prEN 50172. Inspection certificates should be issued upon successful completion of Daily Visually check that all maintained lamps routine maintenance and testing. are operating and that all system healthy indicators on Central Power Supply In addition to training available from manufacturers Systems (sometimes called Central for specific products, consult ECA or ICEL about Battery Systems) are illuminated Emergency lighting training courses including training to satisfy the requirements of Competent Check that any recorded system fault Enterprise , qualified to sign test certificates for is given urgent attention and record all installations.

7 Corrective actions in the logbook provided. Monthly Check all luminaires and other Methods of Testing Emergency lighting equipment are in a All Emergency lighting installations should be good condition, all lamps and light provided with a method of testing, usually by means controllers are clean, undamaged and of simulating failure of the normal lighting supply, not blackened. through a test switch. Test switches must be Briefly test all Emergency lighting designed or positioned to avoid unauthorised equipment by simulating a failure of switching and be arranged to ensure the supply is the normal lighting supply. The test never unintentionally left disconnected. should not exceed a quarter of the Some Emergency lighting manufacturers provide equipment rated duration. Check that automatic test systems that conduct tests in accordance all equipment functions correctly. with the requirements of the standards. Advice on their Check that, upon restoring the mains availability can be obtained through ICEL.

8 Supply, all supply healthy indicators Because of the risk of failure of the normal lighting are again illuminated. supply just after a test has been conducted and Six Monthly Carry out the inspection and testing as subsequent risk of having too little charge in the described in the monthly test schedule, batteries to provide the required discharge duration, but conduct a test of the equipment tests must be conducted at a time of least risk. for one third of its rated duration. Additionally, if possible, only alternate fittings should be tested at any time to further minimise the risk of Annually A full system test should be conducted having insufficient Emergency lighting cover after by a competent service engineer testing. including a full rated duration test of the system. When carrying out a test by simulating a mains failure, safe procedures must be followed:- Compliance of the installation and system with the requirements of a) Do not switch off other essential services or BS 5266 should be considered and equipment.

9 Documented. b) Do not fully discharge a system if the building has to be re-occupied before re-charge is Figure 3 - General Routine Test Schedules completed (typically 24 hours). The results of all testing and any necessary c) Do not test by removing fuses. This practice is corrective action shall be recorded in a log record not acceptably safe. Purpose designed test held on site and shall be made available, if required, switches or systems should be utilised. for inspection by any authorised person. Existing luminaires should be regularly checked to Insurance cover of premises may also be affected if ensure lamps and lighting controllers are clean, Emergency lighting systems are not correctly undamaged and not blackened. Clean as required maintained. and lamps should be replaced as required. Guidance Emergeny lighting Bro' 5/3/04 3:24 pm Page 6. For Central Power Supply Systems (Central Emergency lighting is one of the life safety Battery Systems), the batteries should systems required to be provided, where regularly be cleaned and inspected.

10 Necessary, in premises where people are Electrolyte levels within the cells must also employed. The requirement for Emergency be checked and topped up, if appropriate. lighting , its type and location should all be defined through the risk assessment. 3 Emergency lighting Risk Assessment Emergency lighting Risk Assessment offers a Who Needs to Carry Out Risk significant opportunity for trained and Assessments? qualified Contractors to assess current Owners or occupiers of all premises in which installations for compliance with recently people are employed must, by law, carry out introduced legislative requirements and, fire precautions risk assessments. where non-compliance is found, to quote for the supply and installation of suitable If you employ 5 or more persons, whether or equipment to achieve compliance. not they are at work at any one time, or at separate workplaces, there is a legal The implementation of the Fire Precautions requirement to make a record of significant (Workplace) Regulations 1997 in the UK findings of the risk assessment and measures and amendments to the regulations in 1999, proposed to deal with them.